Develop critical thinking skills and curatorial approaches for collaborating with communities.
Explore the shifting culture of curating projects with communities, considering changes in practice, language and legacy, using Modern Art Oxford’s archive as a critical resource.
This course initiates a collective learning approach. It takes a systems view on a range of institutional strategies to develop collaborative projects, considering both the assumptions and the bigger picture, the successes and the challenges of programming with local audiences.
Delivered by Modern Art Oxford’s Communities, Practice & Participation team with guest presentations from Artist & Curator Jessy Koeiman and Emma Underhill, Founder & Artistic Director of Up Projects.
During 4 sessions, the course will equip students, early career curators, project managers and researchers with a range of resources to approach and develop a professional practice in the current climate.
During this course, participants will be invited to:
- Critique a range of archive materials.
- Develop curatorial skills and approaches using systems tools.
- Complete short research tasks using insights from guest contributors.
- Initiate new ideas with opportunities to take part in Modern Art Oxford’s 2026 programme.
Participants will learn how to:
- Research and utilise archive materials for research purposes.
- Engage in contemporary debates concerning professional practice with communities.
- Understand what is meant by a systems approach and use critical systems tools.
- Collaborate with peers and form future professional networks.
The course is delivered across two weeks. Learning takes place at Modern Art Oxford and online.
– 12th November – Day one: Modern Art Oxford, 10am-4pm
– 13th November – Day two: Online, 11am-1pm
– 18th November – Day three: Online, 1pm-3pm
– 19th November – Day four: Modern Art Oxford, 10am-4pm
Sessions at Modern Art Oxford include presentations, workshops and group activities and lunch in the Modern Art Oxford Café.
Online sessions include guest presentations, a group discussion with a breakout session and opportunities for questions.
You are expected to use approximately five hours of your own time to complete a research task and your findings will inform the final day of the course at Modern Art Oxford.
Each participant will be allocated an individual feedback session on completion of the course, to be arranged with the Modern Art Oxford team.
There is no criteria for taking part in this course, however the activity does assume a foundational understanding of programming with communities in contemporary arts settings.
A payment of £550 is due to hold your place. Please book early to avoid disappointment as places are limited.
A limited number of bursary places are available – please contact creativelearning@modernartoxford.org.uk for more information.
Jessy Koeiman is a visual artist, curator, and educator. Jessy was Curator Collective Learning at Kunstinstituut Melly from 2018 till 2025 and works as a freelance board member for contemporary art institution A Tale of A Tub, in Rotterdam and as advisor for the Gemeente Utrecht.
Emma Underhill is Founder and Artistic Director of UP Projects with over 20 years’ experience in curating and leading large scale, ambitious projects in the public realm, often delivered through complex partnership working, and a commitment to artist development, often providing artists with career changing opportunities.