11.2 Feminist curatorial practices

Feminist curatorial practices reshape art institutions by centering marginalized voices and challenging dominant narratives. Curators use identity politics and intersectionality to create inclusive exhibitions that explore overlapping social identities and systems of oppression.

Thematic and revisionist approaches allow curators to highlight overlooked artists and movements. By experimenting with innovative display strategies and challenging traditional museum hierarchies, feminist curators create more diverse and engaging art experiences.

Inclusive Curatorial Approaches

Identity Politics and Intersectionality in Curation

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  ReformProject - Liana and Cassidy --Women's Rights Movement 1960-Present View original

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  Kimberlé Crenshaw | Foto: Mohamed Badarne, CC-BY-SA-4.0 | Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung | Flickr View original

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  Intersectionality: What is it, and why do I need to know? | Queerspace Magazine View original

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Top images from around the web for Identity Politics and Intersectionality in Curation

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  Kimberlé Crenshaw | Foto: Mohamed Badarne, CC-BY-SA-4.0 | Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung | Flickr View original

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  Intersectionality: What is it, and why do I need to know? | Queerspace Magazine View original

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  ReformProject - Liana and Cassidy --Women's Rights Movement 1960-Present View original

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  Kimberlé Crenshaw | Foto: Mohamed Badarne, CC-BY-SA-4.0 | Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung | Flickr View original

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  Intersectionality: What is it, and why do I need to know? | Queerspace Magazine View original

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• Identity politics shapes curatorial practices by centering marginalized voices and experiences
• Curators employ identity politics to challenge dominant narratives in art institutions
• Intersectionality examines overlapping social identities and systems of oppression
• Curatorial approaches incorporate intersectional perspectives to present more nuanced representations of artists and artworks
• Exhibitions explore intersections of gender, race, class, and sexuality in art (Womanhouse, 1972)

Collaborative and Inclusive Narrative Building

• Inclusive narratives broaden representation in art exhibitions and collections
• Curators actively seek out diverse artists and artworks to counter historical exclusions
• Collaborative curation involves working with artists, communities, and other stakeholders
• Community-based curation engages local perspectives in exhibition development (Mining the Museum, 1992)
• Participatory curatorial practices invite audience input in exhibition design and interpretation

Thematic and Revisionist Exhibitions

Thematic Approaches to Exhibition Organization

• Thematic exhibitions group artworks based on conceptual or historical connections
• Curators use themes to highlight overlooked artists or movements
• Thematic approach allows for cross-cultural and cross-temporal comparisons
• Exhibitions explore broad concepts like feminism, identity, or globalization
• Thematic curation can reveal new insights into familiar artworks (WACK! Art and the Feminist Revolution, 2007)

Revisionist Art History and Contextual Interpretation

• Revisionist art history challenges traditional canons and narratives
• Curators reexamine historical periods to include marginalized artists and movements
• Contextual interpretation situates artworks within their social, political, and cultural environments
• Exhibitions provide additional historical context through wall texts, audio guides, and catalogs
• Revisionist approaches often highlight women artists' contributions to art movements (Women of Abstract Expressionism, 2016)

Innovative Display Strategies

Alternative Spatial and Temporal Arrangements

• Curators experiment with non-linear chronologies in exhibition layouts
• Thematic groupings replace traditional chronological or geographic organizations
• Immersive installations create multi-sensory exhibition experiences
• Interactive displays encourage visitor engagement with artworks
• Virtual and augmented reality technologies expand exhibition possibilities beyond physical spaces

Challenging Traditional Museum Hierarchies

• Curators integrate historically marginalized art forms (craft, performance, digital art) into exhibitions
• Non-hierarchical display methods challenge distinctions between "high" and "low" art
• Exhibitions incorporate diverse cultural perspectives in artwork interpretation
• Multilingual wall texts and audio guides increase accessibility for diverse audiences
• Curators experiment with artwork placement to subvert traditional viewing hierarchies (salon-style hanging)