Art Curation and Exhibition Management
Short Course, Online via Zoom
Dates: 18th and 25th February, and 4th and 11th March 2026 | Tuesdays from 1pm to 2pm GMT (UK time)

This short course is exclusively available to VAA Members. To become a member, please visit: https://visual-artists.org/join/

Developing skills in curation and exhibition management is fundamental for artists, gallerists, museum and fair directors, and educators. This course offers an introduction to curatorial practice and practical methods for managing exhibitions. It provides a clear overview of how exhibitions are conceived and delivered, helping you build confidence and unlock your creative approach. The sessions aim to clarify and simplify the principles behind curating, using a structured process for planning and presenting exhibitions and installations.

This is an engaging and practical course designed to give you the core skills needed to curate thoughtfully and oversee art exhibitions with confidence. A key aspect of the programme focuses on understanding and responding to visitor needs. By learning the full curatorial process and acquiring new techniques, you will become more adaptable and capable of presenting artwork successfully. You will gain insight into the methods used by established curators and professionals within the art sales sector. Case studies will guide you through the full exhibition cycle, from early ideas through to proposals, pitches and delivery.

Course Lead: Karen van Hoey Smith

Karen is an artist mentor, independent art broker and curator. She holds a degree in Fine Arts Valuation and has worked across the arts and antiques sector since 2001. A member of AWITA (the Association of Women in the Arts) and a trustee of the Royal Crown Derby Museum Trust, she became the youngest female auctioneer in the UK. Karen has advised for the BBC as well as national publications and radio, worked as an art consultant in London, managed galleries in Bristol, and served as a senior partner at an art publishing house. Her experience as an art broker includes selling works by Banksy, Picasso and Bomberg. Karen brings extensive knowledge of artist representation, exhibition curation and professional development, supporting artists in increasing sales and gaining recognition within public institutions.

Guest Speakers

Ruth Millington

Ruth Millington is an art consultant, curator and writer with over thirteen years of experience developing exhibitions, producing creative events, managing artists and estates, advising on acquiring and commissioning artworks, and writing about visual culture. She completed an MA in Art History at the University of Oxford, specialising in modern and contemporary art. Her career has included roles at Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Connaught Brown, the Estorick Collection of Modern Italian Art and the Ashmolean Museum. Ruth is the author of MUSE (Penguin, 2022), which explores the lives of thirty muses, and This Book Will Make You An Artist (Nosy Crow, 2023) for young readers. She contributes to TIME, The Independent, The Telegraph, Art UK and Dazed, and has appeared on Sky Arts, the BBC, Channel 4, ITV and TRT World. She recently co presented a BBC Radio 4 documentary with Stewart Lee. Her curatorial work includes Reframing the Muse at ROSL in Mayfair, London Art Fair’s 2023 Platform, and projects for luxury residential developments. She lectures internationally at institutions including The 92nd Street Y in New York, Dulwich Picture Gallery, The Holburne Museum, the University of Oxford and Sotheby’s Institute of Art.

Evelina Gorbacova

Evelina is the Head of Digital Development at FOLLOW ART, an international network supporting curators and artists. With more than six years’ experience in the fine art sector and recent work focused on the intersection of art and technology, her work centres on platform development and long term career support for creatives. She is committed to widening access within the arts and enabling emerging talent through strategic tools and digital solutions.

FOLLOW.ART is a digital platform designed to support artists and curators by providing tools for professional presentation, visibility and collaboration, free from algorithms and restrictive gatekeeping. Drawing on first hand experience from more than five hundred international art fairs, the platform created the Nexus Card, a combined business card and portfolio that allows artists to control how their work is shared, communicate directly with interested parties and access a global network for career growth. The platform facilitates purposeful connections through intuitive search tools, without ranking systems or popularity based algorithms, supporting a more sustainable and equitable art ecosystem.

Hannah Woods 

Hannah is Assistant Curator at Whitechapel Gallery where she has worked on a number of projects including Zineb Sedira: Dreams Have No Titles, Sonia Boyce: An Awkward Relation and Peter Kennard: Archive of Dissent. She is currently working on a survey exhibition of Hamad Butt, as well as sitting on the panel for the London Open Live. Prior to this role, Hannah worked at Barbican Art Gallery on exhibitions including Noguchi, Carolee Schneemann: Body Politics and RE/SISTERS: A Lens on Gender and Ecology. Hannah is founding editor of motor dance journal, a print publication dedicated to dance and performance practices, and recently co-curated STAGE/PAGE/SPACE at San Mei Gallery, London.

Do you need any previous experience?

No prior experience is required, though taking notes is recommended. The course will appeal to anyone with an interest in the arts or creative practice who wishes to broaden their understanding of in person art sales, connect with collectors and buyers, and strengthen their exhibition skills.

This Course Is For You If You Want To:

• Build a strong foundation in curatorial principles
• Improve your understanding of exhibition management
• Broaden your ability to present artworks and objects effectively
• Make connections with others in the sector

Curriculum

Session 1 – Understanding the role of a curator | Exploring different curation styles | Fundamentals of exhibition planning

Session 2 – Curating for specific audiences | Incorporating themes and narratives – from idea to reality | Selecting and arranging artworks

Session 3 – Logistics of exhibition setup | Marketing and promotion strategies| Engaging visitors and managing feedback

Session 4 – Budgets and fundraising | Contracts, negotiations and obligations | Designing your own exhibition concept and curated collection | Feedback and guidance from experts

Easy to Follow Lessons: Our tutors teach in clear and accessible English, explaining any specialist terminology as needed.
Live demonstrations are included to show how specific techniques are carried out.
You will also receive learning materials to revisit outside the live sessions, supporting practice and development.

Certificate of Completion: If you attend at least 80 per cent of the classes, you will receive a certificate of attendance. This provides formal recognition of the work you have completed and is a valuable addition to your CV.

If you have any questions about this course, please email events@visual-artists.org