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JOHN CABOT UNIVERSITY

COURSE CODE: "AH 271"
COURSE NAME: "Curating Museums and Galleries"
SEMESTER & YEAR: Spring 2016
SYLLABUS

INSTRUCTOR: Ilaria Gianni
EMAIL: [email protected]
 HOURS: MW 4:30 PM 5:45 PM
TOTAL NO. OF CONTACT HOURS: 45
CREDITS: 3
PREREQUISITES:
OFFICE HOURS:
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The course is designed to introduce students to the history of museums and to curating practices. Classes will discuss the cultural position of the museum, the evolution of its function, the different forms of display, the historical developments of the act of collecting, the position of the visitor and the role of the curator. The primary purpose of the course is to provide students with a critical vocabulary for understanding how museums produce knowledge and structure the ways in which history, geography, cultural difference, and social hierarchies are mapped. Through a series of richly detailed case studies related to ancient and contemporary Rome museums, collections and institutions, classes will investigate the differences between the roles, the missions, the objectives, and the policies of conservation and exhibition-making in spaces, relating to modalities of thought. The course also intends to introduce the figure of the curator and its development from conservator and classifier to creative, critical protagonist of contemporary art culture. The course concludes with an overview of current debates around the contemporary need for museums, and large scale exhibition (such as Biennials and Triennials) and their perceived social functions
SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT:
During the first classes we will learn about some of the basic concepts of museums and develop a basic vocabulary on museum studies. We will face the difference between a museum understood as an institution and a gallery understood as a commercial activity. After that we will focus on the role and on the function of the curator, and on the definition of curatorial cultural practices.

In the second part of the course we will actively discuss several of Rome’s museums and galleries, surveying the different methods of displaying contemporary cultures, analysing the diverse curatorial decisions and discussing some of the practical issues museums and galleries face.

In the third segment we will analyze the current debates on curating that have risen in the age of international biennials and blockbuster show, discussing the way in which exhibitions are conceived and the subjects they aim to address.

Special lectures on Museums, Foundations and Collections based in Rome*:

Contemporary Art Museums:
- GNAM (Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna)
- MACRO (Museum of Contemporary Art Rome)
- MAXXI (Museum of the XXI century)

Temporary Contemporary Exhibition Centers:
- Palazzo delle Esposizioni
- Museo Carlo Bilotti

Private Art Foundations:
- Nomas Foundation
- Giuliani Foundation
- Fondazione Volume!
- Depart Foundation
- Fondazione Memmo
- Fondazione Pastificio Cerere

Private Galleries:
- 1/9 Gallery
- Federica Schiavo Gallery
- The Gallery Apart
- Monitor Gallery
- Lorcan O'Neill Gallery
- t293 Gallery
- Frutta Gallery

* 5 lectures selected among the abovementioned institutions. When possible we will visit the space

Parallel to the theoretical aspects of curating and contemporary museum studies, students will also work on a curatorial active group project engaging with the Roman local art scene. During the first weeks of the course the class will choose the exhibition format they prefer developing (a show, a conference, a blog, a performance, a small festival, workshops...). The idea will be conceptually and materially structured during the semester and presented at the end of the course.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of the course students should have acquired a knowledge of the history of museums, of international large scale exhibitions, current issues and trends in the field, and will be familiar with curatorial practices.  They will have a basic knowledge of the vocabulary used by museum professionals and a basic bibliography of the recent literature.  They will utilize critical thinking and writing skills as they will be required to closely examine, analyze, discuss and write about specific exhibitions and museums

Students will learn how to experience contemporary art museums, how to recognize the differences within the roles and functions of museums. Students will also become familiar with the different functions of a contemporary Kunsthalle (temporary exhibition centers), a commercial gallery, an international large scale exhibition (biennials and triennials).

Through an introduction of the different players of the contemporary art system, classes also aim at acquainting students with the role of the curator, the museum director, the collector, the art critic. Students will furthermore learn about the history of curating. The course will unveil the theoretical and practical aspects of curating. In general the course will highlight the relationships between cultural theory and art practice.
TEXTBOOK:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberCommentsFormatLocal BookstoreOnline Purchase
Contemporary Cultures of DisplayEmma BarkerYale University Press0300077831     
The Culture of Curating and the Curating of Culture(s)Paul O'NeillThe MIT Press0262017725     
REQUIRED RESERVED READING:
Book TitleAuthorPublisherISBN numberLibrary Call NumberComments
Thinking Contemporary CuratingTerry SmithIndependent Curators International (ICI)0916365867  
Ten Fundamental Questions of Curating Jens Hoffmann (Editor)Mousse Publishing 8867490532  
A Brief History of CuratingHans Ulrich ObristJRP|Ringier 390582955X  
Harald Szeemann: Individual MethodologyFlorence Derieux (edited by),JRP|Ringier 3905829096  
Inside the White Cube: The Ideology of the Gallery SpaceBrian O'Doherty University of California Press0520220404  

RECOMMENDED RESERVED READING:
NONE
GRADING POLICY
-ASSESSMENT METHODS:
AssignmentGuidelinesWeight
Attendance and participation (participation in class discussions and gallery visits: questions asked, involvement in the visits)15%
Mid-term exams (1 review focusing on the museum vists)15%
Final show (Students will be ask to curate a show on thier own. The effort and participation in structuring the show will be graded.)30%
Interview with the artist( A complete conversation addressing the practice of one of the artists involved in the final show)20%
Final exam in class (3 questions on curating and museum studies)20%

-ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
AWork of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the cou
BThis is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised.There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluatetheory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture andreference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments.
CThis is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.
DThis level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material.Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included.In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.
FThis work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.
-ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Class attendance and participation in field trips are highly recommended. Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy. Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy. Please refer to the university catalog for the attendance and absence policy.

ACADEMIC HONESTY As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.

STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
As stated in the university catalog, any student who commits an act of academic dishonesty will receive a failing grade on the work in which the dishonesty occurred. In addition, acts of academic dishonesty, irrespective of the weight of the assignment, may result in the student receiving a failing grade in the course. Instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Dean of Academic Affairs. A student who is reported twice for academic dishonesty is subject to summary dismissal from the University. In such a case, the Academic Council will then make a recommendation to the President, who will make the final decision.
STUDENTS WITH LEARNING OR OTHER DISABILITIES
John Cabot University does not discriminate on the basis of disability or handicap. Students with approved accommodations must inform their professors at the beginning of the term. Please see the website for the complete policy.
SCHEDULE

Schedule *
AH 271
Curating Museums and Galleries
Spring 2014
Prof. Ilaria Gianni
M/W 4:30-5.45 PM

* Alterations and/or additions to the schedule may take place. Programs will be confirmed during the course.

Monday January 18

Introduction to the course
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday January 20

Introduction to Museum studies
- Studioli /Kunstkammer / Wunderkammer / Galleries
- The Birth of the Public Democratic Museum
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Monday January 25

Introduction to Museum Studies
- Collection and Collecting

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday January 27

Introduction to Museum Studies
- ICOM

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Monday February 1

Introduction to Museum Studies
- The Changing Museum - Case Studies: The Museum of Modern Art / The Musée D'Orsay / The Natonal Gallery, London

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday February 3

Introduction to Exhibition History
- Exhibitions of Contemporary Art

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Monday February 8

Introduction to Exhibition History
- Exhibitions of Contemporary Art

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday February 10

 Exhibition Practicalities
- Concept devlopment, display, communication plan, budget for an exhibition

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Monday February 15

Introduction to the Gallery System
Commercial Galleries: Functions and Aims

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday February 17

Galleries in Rome
Lecture by James Gardner, founder of Frutta Gallery, Rome

TBC

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Monday February 22

Mid-term exams

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday February 24

Galleries in Rome
On site class - Federica Schiavo Gallery, Rome
Meeting Point: JCU Guarini Campus

_________________________________________________________________________________________

Monday February 29

Art Foundations in Rome 
Lecture by Ilaria Gianni and Cecilia Canziani, Directors and Curators at Nomas Foundation

____________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Wednesday March 2

Art Foundations in Rome 
On site class - Foundazione Volume with curator Silvano Manganaro
Meeting  point: JCU Guarini Campus

TBC

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Friday March 4 (Make up day for Monday, April 25)

Visit to MAXXI, Rome

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Monday March 7

Art Foundations in Rome 
Lecture by Adrienne Drake, Director and Curator at Fondazione Giuliani

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Wednesday March 9

Exhibition project tutorials

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Monday March 14

Artists in Rome
Lecture by Gianni Politi

TBC

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Wednesday March 16

Artists in Rome
Lecture by Gabriele De Santis

TBC

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Monday March 21

Exhibition project tutorias 

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Wednesday March 23

Introduction to Curatorial Studies
- The Birth of the Curator: Seth Sieglaub and Harlad Szeemann

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Monday March 28

Spring Break 

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Wednesday March 30 

Spring Break

_______________________________________________________________________________________

Monday April 4

 Introduction to Curatorial Studies
- The Birth of the Curator: Seth Sieglaub and Harlad Szeemann

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday April 6

Introduction to Curatorial Studies
- Curatorial discussions

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Monday April 11

Introduction to Curatorial Studies
- Curatorial discussions

 ___________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday April 13

Exhibition project Tutorials

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Monday April 18

Introduction to Curatorial Studies
- Curatorial discussions

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Wednesday April 20

Introduction to Curatorial Studies
- Curatorial discussions

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Monday April 25

Holiday

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Wednesday April 28
Recap of the program