Week 1. Defining your purpose and exploring alternative economies

Why do we do what we do?

We’ll begin by looking at what drives your curatorial practice and the kind of work you want to build. We will also explore alternative ways of thinking about work, value and income in the cultural sector, beyond conventional business models.

Topics covered:

● Exploring alternative economic approaches relevant to the cultural sector, including feminist economics, the social and solidarity economy, the commons, decolonial thought, and perspectives on human and non-human interdependence

● Identifying the purpose behind your own practice

● Creating a clear purpose statement

Week 2. Understanding your professional ecosystem

Who do we work with? And why?

No curatorial practice exists in isolation. This session helps you understand the network around your work: the people, organisations and communities you work with, the needs you respond to, and where your practice fits within this wider ecosystem.

Topics covered:

● Mapping the people, organisations and communities connected to your practice

● Looking critically at how resources, opportunities and value circulate within your professional context

● Identifying the challenges and needs of the communities you work with

● Connecting these needs with the purpose of your practice

Week 3. Understanding the value of your work

What does your work offer, and to whom?

Curatorial work creates much more than financial value. In this session, you’ll identify what your own practice contributes socially, culturally, relationally, environmentally and economically, and consider who benefits from it.

Topics covered:

● Recognising the different kinds of value your work can create

● Identifying what your own skills, knowledge and experience bring to your practice

● Mapping who benefits from, contributes to or is affected by your work

● Identifying potential partners, collaborators and allies

Week 4. Turning your practice into sources of income

How can your work generate income?

This week brings the previous steps together and looks at how your skills, knowledge and the value you create can translate into paid work. You will identify the activities and services you can offer, explore different sources of income and consider how to price your work fairly.

Topics covered:

● Turning your skills and expertise into activities and services

● Identifying different ways your curatorial practice can generate income

● Exploring income sources such as commissions, fees, public funding, partnerships, memberships and non-monetary exchange

● Setting fair prices and fees for your work

● Developing a mix of income sources that fits your practice, values and circumstances

Week 5. Creating your action plan

How do we get there?

In the final session, you will turn the ideas developed throughout the course into a practical plan. You’ll define where you want your practice to go, what needs to happen next, and how you can track your progress and impact over time.

Topics covered:

● Working backwards from your long-term vision to identify practical next steps

● Setting realistic and measurable goals for your practice

● Considering how to measure success and impact beyond financial results

● Building an action plan with clear milestones and priorities

Language

Classes are held in English.

Format & Modality
The course is fully online and taught live via Zoom in small, interactive groups to support active learning. Live captioning is available during the sessions.

Schedule
Live sessions take place every Wednesday from 3 to 5 PM (Berlin time, CET).

Attendance
Live attendance is encouraged to get the most out of the course, but recordings are available if you cannot attend a session.

Course Materials
All course materials—including recordings, readings, and presentations—are available on the Node platform for as long as you wish.

Assignments
Optional assignments are included, with personal feedback from the lecturers to help you apply what you learn. Please note that feedback is provided only during the course dates.

Certificate
A downloadable certificate is available upon course completion.

Technical Requirements
A stable internet connection, a computer with a camera and microphone, and access to Zoom are required.

Questions?
Check our FAQ or contact us via our online form.