About This Event

Learning the art of curation and exhibition management is a key skill for artists, gallerists, museum and fair directors, and educators. This short course provides a systematic approach to curating and managing exhibitions, helping participants develop the knowledge and strategies required to successfully plan and deliver exhibitions.

Throughout the course, we will explore:

• The fundamentals of curation techniques
• How to effectively plan and manage art exhibitions
• The importance of visitor engagement and experience
• Case studies showcasing the entire exhibition process, from concept to execution

Course Details

• Dates: 24th June, 1st, 8th, 15th July 2025
• Duration: 4 weeks/ Online
• Time: 13:00 – 14:00 GMT (UK Time)

Course Lead – Karen van Hoey Smith

Karen is an artist mentor and independent art broker and curator, she has degree in Fine Arts Valuation and has been in the arts and antiques world since graduating in 2001. She was the youngest female auctioneer in the UK, has been consultant expert for BBC, magazines, newspapers and for radio, was an art consultant in London and managed galleries in Bristol as well as being a senior partner at an art publishing house. With a successful history working as an art broker having sold pieces by Banksy, Picasso, Bomberg, Karen has a wealth of knowledge representing artists, curating exhibitions and imparting this knowledge to help artists achieve their goals whether that be selling more art or being accepted into public art institutions.

Guest Speakers

Maeve Doyle

Maeve Doyle is an internationally renowned art critic, broadcaster, and Global Artistic Director of the Maddox Gallery Group.

Studying at the Emily Carr University of Art & Design in Vancouver, Canada, Doyle previously founded the London gallery Doyle Devere and served as Director at Bankrobber Gallery, an institution best known for its sale of Banksy’s mural Slave Labour and Girl with Balloon.

Currently working at Maddox Gallery, a globally celebrated contemporary art gallery based in Mayfair, Doyle provides the team with unique insights and a wealth of industry knowledge, helping the gallery position itself within the ever-changing art market. She is both a BBC Arts correspondent and the host of her podcast, ‘A Private View with Maeve Doyle’ on Soho Radio’s Culture Channel. She has also participated in art broadcasts such as co-hosting ‘Goldie: The Art That Made Me’ on Sky Arts.

An esteemed thought leader in the industry, Doyle has led panel discussions at major art fairs, including Wimbledon Art Fair, London Art Fair, The Other Art Fair, and Art on a Postcard. She has also curated and led exclusive art tours for Browns Hotel, Ham Yard Hotel, The Lanesborough, Four Seasons, and Soho House.

Evelīna Gorbačova

Evelīna is the Head of Digital Development at FOLLOW.ART, a global network for curators and artists. With over six years of experience in the fine art sector and the past three dedicated to bridging art and technology, she focuses on platform development and career sustainability for creative professionals. She is passionate about equitable access to the arts and supporting emerging talent through strategic tools and technical solutions.

FOLLOW.ART is an online network that empowers artists and curators with tools for professional presentation, visibility, and collaboration, free from algorithms and gatekeeping.

Developed from first-hand experience at over 500 international art fairs, FOLLOW.ART created the Nexus Card, a streamlined and powerful tool that combines a business card with a portfolio. It gives artists full control over how their work is presented, enabling secure sharing, direct communication, patron support, and access to a supportive network for career growth.

Who Should Take This Course?

This course is ideal for:

• Artists looking to curate their own exhibitions
• Gallerists and exhibition managers
• Museum and fair directors
• Educators wanting to develop their curatorial expertise

No prior experience is required, but some note-taking is recommended.

What You Will Gain

• A comprehensive understanding of curatorial principles
• Practical insights into exhibition planning and execution
• Techniques for designing impactful exhibitions
• Networking opportunities within the art curation field

Key Features

• Live, interactive sessions led by industry experts
• One-hour weekly classes for in-depth learning and discussion
• Comprehensive PDF guide for continued learning
• Lesson recordings to revisit key concepts at any time
• Live Q&A with the tutor

Certificate of Completion

Participants who attend at least 80% of sessions will receive a Certificate of Completion, which can be used to enhance CVs and professional portfolios.

Register now to secure your spot in the VAA’s Art Curation & Exhibition Management online course.

Please note: All courses are delivered in UK time (GMT).

Member Ticket Information

In order to access Member Only tickets, VAA Members must be logged into their member accounts. To log in to your account, visit this Login Page. Your member login will be the email address you used to sign up to your membership, and the password that you set. If you are having trouble logging in, get in touch at memberships@visual-artists.org

For questions about the event, please reach out to events@visual-artists.org