Windham Art Gallery - Curator's Manual

CURATOR’S MANUAL

The curator is responsible for setting the style and limits of the exhibition. “Style and limits” includes a number of aspects that should be clear to all participating artists from the outset:

Size
Number of pieces per artist
Content
Medium
Presentation: framing, formality, ceiling vs. wall mount, arrangement of pieces.

DUTIES:

The curator of a show is responsible for setting up a show meeting approximately 6 weeks prior to the start date of a show. At this meeting, the curator and the participating artists should choose a postcard image, and give out the contact information for the person who makes labels for statements and artwork titles. The curator is responsible for informing artists what the show fee is: WAG members pay a standard rate, and guest artists pay $25 more than members. To determine the show fee, curators should divide $900 by the number of participants, and add the $25 to the fee for guest artists (if guests later become members, their $25 is refunded – see policy manual). This is best done at the show meeting.
The curator is responsible for getting postcard information, images and design stipulations to the member who designs show cards immediately after the show meeting, to ensure that postcards will be ready for distribution 3 weeks before the show.
The curator should give press release information to the press liaison by the 15th of the month prior to the show. Press release info should include the title of the exhibition with a brief description, the artists showing, the time and date of Gallery Walk and the opening reception, and the gallery hours. If possible, the postcard image should be included.
The curator(s) are responsible for coming to the show hanging and to Gallery Walk. If there is more than one curator per show, then only one curator need come to each event.
The curator is responsible for ensuring that all consignment sheets and show fees are placed in the colored binder in the top left-hand drawer of the front desk before works are hung on the first Tuesday of the month. Technically, if artists have not paid their show fees at the time of hanging, their works may not be hung (see Policy Manual).
The curator should instruct artists to prioritize their works so that the hanging process is easier (if space is short, those pieces last on the list will not be shown, and vice versa). Prioritization and piece information should be written on Post-it notes left on work when it is dropped off.
The curator is responsible for ensuring that labels are installed on the wall (with removable gum) after the hanging is complete (and Post-it notes are removed). The curator should also insure that each label includes the title, medium, artist, and price.
The curator should notify artists that works should be dropped off ready to hang. Wire hangers are preferred; if artists can’t hang a work by wire, they need to notify the curator ahead of time and be prepared to hang their own work during the scheduled hanging time.
The curator is responsible for ensuring that all unsold works are removed when a show is completed, preferably on the Sunday or Monday after the show is over. If works are not removed, the curator is responsible for ensuring that they are stored in the basement so that the next show can be hung with no obstructions.
If the curator has any questions about procedure or a problem arises in the gallery, he/she can call any member of the Steering Committee or the Gallery Coordinator.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR CURATORS:

Press liaison (press release info): Melissa Scheid Frantz.

Hanging Committee members: Lesley Heathcote , Jackie Abrams, Cia Devan, Ralph DeAnna, and Hugh Roberts.

Web page info: Send the postcard image, show blurb, and show dates to Caryn King

Labels: Linda Mahoney

Postcard: Contact Steven Meyer

Steering Committee members: Marilyn Allen, Ralph DeAnna, Linda Mahoney, Scott Nelson, and Melissa Scheid-Frantz.

Gallery Coordinator: Pamela Mandell

Building/Management: Daniel Systo of Middlebury Enterprises, Ltd. See gallery office desk for contact info.