8.1 Academic Research Methods in Curatorial Studies
5 min read•july 29, 2024
Academic research methods in curatorial studies blend art history, critical theory, and practical skills. Curators use primary and secondary sources to develop exhibitions, analyze artworks, and create compelling narratives that engage audiences and contribute to art discourse.
Effective research involves evaluating sources, synthesizing information, and developing themes. Curators must critically assess credibility, relevance, and context of materials while crafting narratives that illuminate artistic practices, historical contexts, and cultural significance.
Primary vs Secondary Sources
Defining Primary and Secondary Sources
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Primary sources are original materials that have not been filtered through or evaluation by a second party
Include artworks, artifacts, archival materials, photographs, letters, interviews, and other first-hand accounts
Examples: original paintings, sculptures, historical documents, artist interviews, exhibition catalogs
Secondary sources are one step removed from primary sources, often describing, discussing, interpreting, commenting upon, analyzing, evaluating, summarizing, or processing primary sources
Include scholarly books, articles, essays, documentaries, and other critical interpretations of primary materials
Examples: art history textbooks, journal articles, critical reviews, curatorial essays
Selecting and Using Primary and Secondary Sources in Curatorial Research
Effective curatorial research draws upon a combination of primary and secondary sources to develop a comprehensive understanding of an artist, artwork, exhibition theme, or art historical context
The selection of primary and secondary sources should be guided by the specific focus and scope of the curatorial project, as well as the availability and accessibility of relevant materials
Consider the research question, target audience, and intended outcome of the project
Assess the feasibility of accessing and utilizing specific sources based on location, permissions, and resources
Curators must be able to identify and locate primary and secondary sources through a variety of research methods
Library and archival research, online databases, scholarly networks
Direct communication with artists, collectors, and other art world professionals
Examples: searching museum collections databases, contacting artists for interviews, visiting archives to examine original documents
Evaluating Research Materials
Assessing Credibility and Relevance
The credibility of a source refers to its trustworthiness, reliability, and authority
Factors to consider: author's expertise, publication's reputation, use of evidence and citations, presence of biases or conflicts of interest
Examples: peer-reviewed journals, established art historians, well-documented research
The relevance of a source refers to its applicability and usefulness to the specific research question or curatorial project
Factors to consider: source's content, scope, timeliness
Examples: recent publications on the specific artist or theme, sources that directly address the research question
Curators must critically assess the credibility and relevance of each source, considering its strengths and limitations in relation to the research goals and context
Strategies for Evaluating Research Materials
Examine the author's credentials and affiliations to determine their expertise and potential biases
Look for academic degrees, institutional affiliations, previous publications, and professional experience
Assess the quality and consistency of the arguments and evidence presented in the source
Evaluate the logic, coherence, and persuasiveness of the author's claims and conclusions
Check for the use of reliable evidence, such as primary sources, data, and examples
Compare the source with other reliable sources to identify consistencies, contradictions, or gaps in the information
Look for consensus or debates among scholars on the topic
Consider how the source fits within the broader context of the field or discipline
Consider the intended audience and purpose of the publication to understand its perspective and potential limitations
Differentiate between scholarly, popular, and trade publications
Assess whether the source is aimed at informing, persuading, or entertaining the reader
The evaluation of research materials is an ongoing process that requires curators to continuously refine their search strategies, reassess the quality and relevance of sources, and adapt their research approach as new information and insights emerge
Citation Methods for Curatorial Writing
Importance and Elements of Citation
Citation is the practice of acknowledging the sources used in research and writing by providing references to the original materials
Essential for giving credit to the authors of the sources, enabling readers to locate the sources, and demonstrating the credibility and integrity of the research
The choice of citation style depends on the discipline, publication, or institution
Common citation styles in the arts and humanities: Chicago Manual of Style, Modern Language Association (MLA), Harvard referencing
Key elements of a citation typically include the author's name, title of the work, publication date, publisher, and page numbers (for specific quotes or references)
The format and order of these elements vary depending on the citation style
Example (Chicago style): Smith, John. "The Art of Exhibition Making." Journal of Curatorial Studies 12, no. 3 (2022): 123-145.
In-text Citations and Bibliographies
In-text citations are brief references within the body of the text that direct readers to the full citation in the bibliography or reference list
Typically include the author's last name, publication year, and page number (if applicable)
Example (MLA style): (Smith 123)
Bibliographies or reference lists are comprehensive lists of all the sources cited in the text, usually appearing at the end of the document
Provide full bibliographic information for each source, allowing readers to easily locate and access the original materials
Organized alphabetically by author's last name or by the order in which they appear in the text, depending on the citation style
Example (Harvard style):
Smith, J., 2022. The Art of Exhibition Making. Journal of Curatorial Studies, 12(3), pp.123-145.
Jones, A., 2021. Curating Contemporary Art. London: Museum Press.
Synthesizing Research for Themes
The Process of Synthesis in Curatorial Research
Synthesis involves combining and integrating information from multiple sources to create new insights, arguments, or narratives
In curatorial research, synthesis is the process of drawing connections between disparate sources and ideas to develop cohesive themes and narratives for exhibitions or publications
Effective synthesis requires curators to identify patterns, relationships, and tensions among the research findings
Critically evaluate how these elements contribute to the overall understanding of the subject matter
Examples: identifying recurring motifs in an artist's work, tracing the influence of historical events on artistic movements
Strategies for synthesis:
Creating visual or conceptual maps to organize and connect key ideas
Writing summaries or annotations to distill the main points of each source
Using to examine similarities and differences across sources
Developing Curatorial Themes and Narratives
The development of curatorial themes and narratives involves selecting and arranging the synthesized research findings to create a meaningful and engaging story or argument
Consider the intended audience, the physical or virtual space of the exhibition, and the desired impact or message of the project
Examples: organizing an exhibition around the theme of "identity in contemporary art," creating a narrative that traces the evolution of a specific artistic technique
Successful synthesis and narrative development result in exhibitions or publications that present a clear and compelling perspective on the subject matter
Acknowledge the complexity and diversity of the research findings
Engage the audience intellectually and emotionally
Contribute to the broader discourse and understanding of the topic in the field