From Single to Shared Authorship
Guiding questions:
In the past decade, the term curating has become a buzzword. The role of the curator has become more complex, incorporating responsibilities that range from specialized expertise to broader, multifaceted tasks. Curators collect, safeguard heritage, and study collections; they produce knowledge, manage loans of artifacts, publish catalogues and commission artworks. They collaborate closely with museum educators, exhibition designers, and conservators while also preparing materials for marketing and public relations. In addition, curators take on managerial tasks, develop budget and timelines, and oversee exhibition presentations, media and digital formats. Not least, they are the creative authors of exhibitions.
The concept of single authorship in curating emerged in the 1960s when a few star curators began organizing exhibitions independently from institutions. These curators defined exhibition themes, selected artworks and oversaw all aspects of implementation. This innovation gave curating prestige as a recognized profession, elevating curators as key cultural figures.
However, since the 1990s, this model has been increasingly criticized for its focus on permanent productivity and the image of the all-knowing curator. Instead, shared authorship (also known as collective curating) has been championed. This approach fosters diverse interpretive contexts and allows curators to critically question their own perspectives and the knowledge they produce for the public. Collaborative curating involves multiple curators and external stakeholders, such as artists and the public, creating spaces for participation, debate and interpretation.
These workshops will explore the role of curators and the potential impact of different curatorial strategies. Discussions will focus on the effects of single versus shared authorship in exhibition-making and how each shapes public knowledge. Through practical exercises, participants will apply both curatorial models, critically assess content production, and develop self-reflective curatorial approaches.