KZB310 Curatorial Approaches


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Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Unit code:KZB310
Credit points:12
Pre-requisite:96cp of completed study
Coordinator:Sophie McIntyre | sophie.mcintyre@qut.edu.au
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.

Overview

This project-based unit responds to current debates, practices and to the new roles and opportunities emerging in contemporary art, culture and curatorial practice. The curatorial in contemporary art and culture includes a range of physical and digital platforms such as exhibitions, collections, archives, festivals, events, forums and publications. This unit combines the practicalities of curating, with advanced critical analysis, research, problem solving and communicating and engaging with audiences in diverse contexts.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

  1. Explain, interpret and communicate critical and cultural approaches to curating
  2. Apply advanced creative and critical processes to develop ideas and practical outcomes in curatorial projects
  3. Analyse and critically reflect on processes, content and contexts of contemporary curatorial projects

Content

This unit's content includes current debates and approaches to curatorial practices across creative and cultural fields. It combines conceptual and practical approaches to curating through the development of a project rationale and creative project. By investigating case-studies across the creative and cultural sector, you will gain insight into the practices of public cultural institutions and collections. There is the opportunity to engage with these partners to deliver a public outcome, including responding to briefs, initiating, developing, pitching and delivering projects while working collaboratively in a range of curatorial contexts.

Learning Approaches

In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:

lectures that address key themes and practices of contemporary curating, with tutorial-based discussions of critical and contextual readings and analysis of curated exhibitions and events. This will be complemented by site visits and tours at local art galleries and cultural institutions. You will work individually and collaboratively in groups to develop and present a curatorial rationale and creative project.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

You will gain feedback in this unit by participating in regular discussions and group critiques with academics and peers. You will also receive written feedback on your curatorial rationale, which will directly relate to and inform your final project.

Assessment

Overview

The summative assessment for this unit includes preparing and presenting a curatorial rationale, and the planning and realisation of a curatorial project. Formative assessment involves feedback on curatorial projects in development.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Curatorial Rationale

You will research, design and present a curatorial rationale including conceptual and contextual frameworks and practical planning.

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 40
Length: 10 minutes in class presentation, PDF document (1200 words equivalent)
Individual/Group: Individual
Due (indicative): Week 6
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 3

Assessment: Creative Project

You will develop, deliver and document a curatorial project of your own design (group or individual) (weighted 50%). You will then individually collate documentation of your project for submission (weighted 10%).

This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.

Weight: 60
Individual/Group: Either group or individual
Due (indicative): Week 13
Related Unit learning outcomes: 1, 2, 3

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement). 

You will be advised if you are required to complete a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio, or a Tier 3 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery.

Costs

Costs related to the realisation of creative project.

Resources

Texts, references and images as well as technical and digital resources are available through the Canvas site for this unit. Digital and fabrication workshops, computer labs, studios, gallery and exhibition spaces are available on campus. This unit includes site visits to local art galleries and cultural organisations.

Risk Assessment Statement

All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement). 

This unit also requires a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio. Some students may be required to complete a Tier 3 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery.

A Project Risk Management Plan is also mandatory.