Research Methods for Curators and Artists

Duration

Jun. 16 - Jul. 07, 2016

Enroll before

Jun. 13, 2016

One-time Payment

148.00 € (incl. VAT)

Live sessions

3 hrs/week

Learn to bring out the best in your topic by undertaking in-depth and creative research before starting a project. Each week we will go through different phases of research, starting from defining your topic to knowing where to look for information, organising your content and finally editing and refining information to move your research into the real world.

Research methods for curators and artists will equip you with the tools and methods for gathering ideas and information - from classic academic approaches to fieldwork and experimenting with prototypes. Throughout the course we will examine how to use brainstorming and mind mapping techniques to go beyond the boundaries of your topic; get the most from online and real world content; and learn how to systematise your resources whether they be books, artworks, locations or people.

Each week, participants will directly apply the methods and techniques to a topic of their choosing. By moving through the research phases and gaining feedback along the way, participants will develop a strong foundation of information that could be used in a project.

Week 1: First steps - from defining your topic to developing a plan of action

Introduction
Defining a topic through main and sub topics
Brainstorming and mind mapping techniques
First introduction to different research resources
Tools and methods for gathering ideas and information (digital vs. analogue approaches)
How to access your research easily (software and note apps)
Making an action plan for research

Week 2: Gathering resources: where to look? (part 1: books, articles, internet, databases)

How to use the library, online searches and resources
Tips on how to read to get the most information in the fastest way
Tips on in-text notes to keep track of information
Optimizing google search
Online databases and collections, where to research
Researching art projects and art works related to your topic

Week 3: Gathering resources: where to look? (part 2: spaces, people and prototypes)

Accessing people and communities
Learning from people: interview techniques
Empathy and alternative perspective strategies

Visiting sites of interest: how to document and map your visit

Creating models and experiments as prototypes for projects

Week 4 – Refining your research (evaluating, getting feedback, revising...)

Evaluating your prototype: how to ask for feedback
Revise and refine ideas: moving back before moving forward
Editing your research: kill your darlings
Know when to stop! How to move your research forward into the real world.

System requirements for the live video conferences: Mac OS x 10.9 or higher or Windows 7 or higher.

Research Methods for Curators and Artists

Recommended Courses