How to Curate an Art Show

If you want to curate, or organize, an art show, you don't need to be an artist yourself, but it helps. Art curators put together all kinds of shows, from small one-person exhibits at local cafes to shows that feature hundreds of artists. Here are the basic steps you'll need to curate an art show

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Dream up a theme for the show. Some art shows feature artists who paint in a particular style, such as surrealists, while others have a common subject like landscapes or dogs, and invite artists to submit works depicting the theme subject.
2. Contact artists. Once you've determined a theme, call artists who might be interested in submitting work for the show. Browse through gallery websites and catalogs to find artists, and ask friends and other curators for suggestions.
3. Locate a venue. Depending on the size of the exhibit, you can hold it in an established gallery, local café, a school auditorium or in a downtown warehouse. Many colleges sponsor exhibits if one or more of their students have work in a show. If any college artists are featured in your show, see if the school will help sponsor the show or lend you a venue for the duration of the show.
4. Publicize the event. Make a press kit with a press release, snapshots of a few of the pieces and a curator's statement about the theme of the art show and some of the artists then distribute it to local newspapers and magazines. Announce the event dates in blogs and websites.
5. Hang the paintings. Unless it's a big show in a warehouse or museum, the artists and their friends will take care of this on their own. Supervise the installation to be sure the artwork is attractively displayed.
6. Organize refreshments and entertainment for the opening reception. Get a store, restaurant or caterer to contribute drinks and snacks. Most restaurants will be glad to do this for a mention in your program or publicity materials.
7. Print postcards to send to friends, art fans and patrons. Assemble a list of attendees of other art shows or subscribers to art magazines or alternative publications.

Tips & Warnings

• Always list your show with the local alternative newspaper. Make sure the listing is repeated weekly for the duration of the show.

Who Can Help:

• Find Decorators & Designers Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.