AHT1202 Curating: Introduction
Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture
AHT1202 Curating: Introduction is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, offered in 2026 in Semester 2 at Caulfield. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 1 unit, leading on to 2 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2026
- Semester 2
- Caulfield
- Assessment
- No exam
- 4 tasks
This is the 2026 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before AHT1202
Corequisites
Pass these before, or take them in the same semester.
After AHT1202
1 unit list AHT1202 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Overview
This unit is an introduction to curating intended for first-year students enrolled in the Bachelor of Art History and Curating degree. It aims to introduce you to key elements in the field of curating, including: the role of the curator; the site of the museum and gallery, the work undertaken there, and the roles of different staff at these institutions, such as conservator, registrar, and installer; the process of organising, viewing, and evaluating an exhibition; forms of curatorial mediation, from examining how exhibitions generate dialogue amongst artworks to writing curatorially about artworks and exhibitions. This unit will also introduce you to curatorial ethics and the relationship between the curator and the artist, including the studio visit and protocols for engaging Indigenous artists.
Offerings in 2026
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Caulfield | On campus |
Assessment
- Critical analysisWritten10%
- Preliminary proposalWritten10%
- Presentation30%
- Exhibition proposalWritten50%
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Define and understand the role of the curator within the ecology of the art world;
- 2
Analyse and discuss the broader functions and institutions of the art industry;
- 3
Critically analyse works of art or an exhibition and communicate findings in a variety of formats;
- 4
Conduct curatorial research into artistic or cultural production;
- 5
Identify socio-cultural concepts and issues in curatorial studies, including the ethical responsibilities of the profession.
Workload and teaching
- Seminars24 hours
- Tutorials24 hours
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachOnline learning
- Teaching approachIndustry-based learning
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
12 hours per week including 4 contact hours plus 8 hours of independent study, or equivalent.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Associate Professor Tara McDowell
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Tara McDowell
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for AHT1202?
None, but you must take OHS1000 before or alongside it.
What can I take after AHT1202?
AHT1202 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 1 unit, including AHT2722. Those lead on to 2 units in all.
When is AHT1202 offered?
In 2026, AHT1202 runs in Semester 2 at Caulfield.
Does AHT1202 have an exam?
No. AHT1202 has 4 assessment tasks and no exam.