Suppose you are the curator of Hong Kong STRA Center* and you need to write an exhibition proposal about local contemporary art for next year’s program.
Please do a bottom-up research on local contemporary art. Please select those art works that you have actually seen. You know how it is made and displayed. The group show** will provide a new perspective to look at the art of Hong Kong. You are the cultural interpreter. You can highlight some specific features or some areas which you want the audience to pay more attention to.
What is the theme of the show?
Local art is a broad theme. What is your specific topic?
What is your target audience? General public or/and a specific group of people?
Which artists and which works will you include in this show?
If you think the choice of the local artists is not enough, you might invite 1 or 2 overseas guest artists to join the show, as long as their works can also show Hong Kong art and culture. You might also add 1 or 2 artworks which fit your theme and does not show recently. However, the majority of the art works in the show should be those artworks which you have actually seen before. Try to think of the selling point of your show. Your role is the curator in a non-profit art organisation. You are not an artist. Your relationship with the artists is partners, not employer/ employee. If you want the artists to make new works for the show, you need to show evidence that they made similar works before. If you are not sure whether your project meets the requirements, you are encouraged to speak to the instructor.
* STRA center does not exist in Hong Kong but you can imagine the venue is like Hong Kong Arts Centre. (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
** At least 4 living Hong Kong artists, not more than 6 artists. The usual practice of a group show is one work or one series of art work for each artist. The number of art works depends on your curatorial idea.
-Please list the name and the web site of the exhibitions where you found these art works. Also list the date you visited the show.
Exhibition proposal should include:
-The name of your show;
-The project content (the project’s artistic objectives, curatorial concept, introduction of the artists, introduction and pictures of the art works, types and quantity of work, special features of exhibits, etc.;)
-In what way are the art works related to the theme of the show?
-Why this combination of art works?
-Can each of them show different perspectives of the theme?
-The exhibition space : the gallery space in STRA Center or other space (reasons need to be given to explain why you do not use your own exhibition space, it is usually very expensive and complicated to use other exhibition venues);
-A floor plan of the exhibition to indicate the position of the art work; how would you arrange the art works?
-Implementation plans, schedule and budget (not more than $800,000);
-Target group and promotion plan;
-Evaluation method of project outcome;
-Predict difficulties of the show and the solutions.
* special features: Any catalogue/ talk/ forum/ educational programs/ event/ party/ concert/ performance/ souvenir for the show? (You don’t need to do all these things, you just need to work on those items which can add value to the show and help achieve the aims of the show.)
– When and where you found the art works.
There is no word limit of this proposal. It should be clear, precise and simple in design with text and illustrations.
Assessment criteria:
-The artistic quality, originality and the benefits of the project to visual arts development in general;
-Whether it can provide any insight of Hong Kong art or culture;
-Whether the show can nurture local artists;
-Whether it can promote art to the general audience;
-The effectiveness of the project’s content in achieving its pre-set objectives;
-Whether you are familiar with the artists and the art works that you chose;
-Whether the selection of the art works or artists fit your theme. Are they the best choice?
-Depth of analysis;
-Diversified perspective;
-Accuracy in your description of the ideas and artists.
-The feasibility of the project content, scale and schedule.
