Masterclass | Getting Ready: Planning, Curating & Promoting Your Exhibition

Thursday 2 July | 13:00 BST | Online | OpenSpaces 2026 Artists

You’ve secured your space. Now what?

This practical masterclass is designed specifically for artists taking part in OpenSpaces 2026 – walking you through everything you need to plan, curate, and promote your exhibition with confidence.

Joining the session is Kristen Palana, a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and VAA OpenSpaces 2025 participant whose exhibition in Rome formed part of the world’s largest global art trail. Kristen brings a rare combination of artistic depth and practical teaching experience – having delivered art and design education across North America, Europe, Asia, and Africa, and to thousands of students in 191 countries online.

She will share what she learned from her own OpenSpaces experience, what she would do differently, and the practical steps that made her exhibition work – from curation and presentation to promotion and audience engagement.

What we will cover

• How to plan your exhibition from concept to opening day
• How to curate your work effectively in a non-traditional space
• How to promote your show to the right audience before, during, and after
• What OpenSpaces 2025 participants learned and what you can apply to your own exhibition

Who is this for?

All artists registered for OpenSpaces 2026 who want to approach their exhibition with clarity, structure, and confidence.

For any questions, contact events@visual-artists.org