Week 1. Introduction

• Introduction to the program and course overview. 

This is a one-hour-only welcome session. The lecturer will introduce the program and participants will introduce themselves. No prior preparation is necessary.

Week 2: Characteristics and formats

• Introduction
  
• What is an independent art space?
  
• History of project spaces
  
• Introduction to different types of artist-run spaces (exhibition formats, concepts, spaces and structures)
  
• Project space platform networks world wide

Week 3: Structuring an artist run space

• Structural set up (legal forms, team, opening hours, duration etc.)
  
• Deciding on a location (who are your neighbors, audiences, collaborations, costs)
  
• Defining your aim (Visitors, entrance fees, network, platform, etc.)
  
• Audiences (What kind of audiences can one expect? What kind of audiences are you addressing?)
  
• Program (exhibitions, lectures, open or closed)
  
• Public programming (Artist talks, performances, education)
  
• Different types of financing and fundraising for an artist run space
  

Week 4: Exhibition-making – concept, budget, practical skills

• Strategies of developing a concept
  
• Strategies of research. How to find fitting artistic positions and related topics?
  
• Turning your idea into a practical concept
  
• Lending works from artists and galleries (how to source the works and how to secure loans)
  
• Writing a budget
  
• Install (working with technicians, artists and considering packaging and access)
  
• What to consider when organising a transport (insurance, customs, costs)
  

Week 5: Communication - artists, collaborators, press

• Working with collaborators (institutions, curators, artists), defining contracts
  
• Contacting Artists: open calls, invitations, commissions
  
• Developing a Press Kit (writing press release, press images)
  
• Communicating an exhibition and events (invite cards, newsletters, private invites)
  
• How to use or not use Social Media
  
• How to address the press and journalists
  
• Documentation (taking pics, website, archive, catalogue)
  
• Communication in the exhibition space (Handout, Labels; guided tours)