A student art exhibition, virtual or in-person, is a wonderful opportunity for celebrating the talents of youth, encouraging creativity, and fostering community. In curating an exhibition, we curate/art, meaning we organize, select, and display the artworks thoughtfully. For high schoolers this is an opportunity to gain experience and skills related to an event's coordination, visual communication, storytelling, community engagement, and paved the way for a collaboration in leadership roles. A curated exhibition does more than just display; it tells a story. Regardless if you host a gallery, your school hallway, or online, here are several steps you can take to help you in curating your show.
1. Define the Purpose and Theme
Start with determining the purpose of the exhibition, whether it is to celebrate success, highlight a social concern, promote a specific style, etc. This is then followed by a theme which will help guide the processes for selecting artworks and displaying the works. A good theme assists in cohesive understanding of varied art pieces by the audience. Try to encourage students to create or submit work relevant to the selected theme. Having a focus and direction means the exhibit will have a significant feeling of intention and quality whether it is about identity, nature, or abstract.
2. Form a Student Curatorial Team
Engage your peers by creating a curatorial team that will take on planning and decision-making roles. Assign specific roles, such as curator, designer, marketing lead, and logistics. Collaborating will build leadership skills, communication skills, and time management skills. It will also allow multiple perspectives and ideas to contribute to the final project. You should include artists and non-artists, everyone can contribute in meaningful ways! Meeting regularly will help keep the team organized and focused.
3. Set a Budget and Gather Resources
Establish an accurate budget from the outset--be sure to include the costs of printing, means of display, lighting, signage for an in-person exhibit, and appropriate digital platforms for virtual exhibitions. Find ways for your school to support the cost of the exhibition or choose local businesses with small sponsorships as an option. Be resourceful! Use recycled materials or borrowed supplies if you can. For example, you will need to have access to an online platform and design software if creating a virtual exhibition. Budgeting will also give you practical project management skills and some experience in sharing financial responsibility. Be sure to keep a list of all expenses and share your financial activity with the team members involved!
4. Choose a Venue (or Platform)
Choose a space that suits your audience and your aims. Physical spaces might include a school hallway, library, or local gallery. Digital spaces might include ArtSteps or Google Sites or Instagram. Keep accessibility, visibility, and ease of access in mind. Test the space (or platform) before finalizing, so you can troubleshoot both layout and technical elements if needed. Choosing an appropriate venue has an impact on how the art is experienced and interpreted.
5. Call for Artworks and Set Submission Guidelines
Make an announcement about an open call. Be specific in stating who can submit, what format of work is accepted (painting, photography, sculpture, digital, etc.), and deadlines. Provide specific instructions for artist formatting, labeling, and presentation. Use online forms and folders to collect digital submissions. For in person submissions, designate a drop off location. This will create equity and help organize the collection. Encourage all abilities and skill levels to enter to promote inclusion and diversity.
6. Select and Organize the Artwork
Work with your team to review the submissions and select works that fit within your theme with consideration toward quality, variety, and how the works will coexist in the space. For an in-person display or exhibition, you will need to determine where the works will go physically in the space so consider these decisions when art is grouped by style, group by medium, or grouped by message. For a virtual exhibition or display, you will also need to determine how to arrange the works in the online space, keeping in mind both logic and artistic balance. You will want to come up with a “flow” that gives an overall arc to the exhibition, and tells a story from beginning to end. Each display decision you made will shape how the viewer will experience and interpret the works within it.
7. Create Artist Statements and Labels
Have artists write concise artist statements about their work—what inspired the work, the medium used, and what they would like the viewer to feel or think. Exhibit these statements next to the art itself or in the virtual interface. You will also need to create artwork labels that include the title, name of the artist, and date. These statements and labels provide information and contextualize the art while deepening engagement with it. Writing about art improves communication skills, and it helps everyone to connect with the work including both artists and viewers.
8. Design Promotional Materials
Advertise the exhibition using posters, online flyers, social media posts, and announcements through the school. It is very important to follow branding guidelines - use the same colors, fonts and themes. Be sure to include all of the information: date, time, location or link, submission information if still open. Use your school's media or arts department for help or to make visuals. Promoting the event is important to create interest, excitement and drive attendance. It is also a great opportunity for students to learn something about graphic design and promoting an event.
9. Install and Test Everything
For physical exhibitions: Arrange the pieces with appropriate lighting, spacing, and protection. Test signage and flow. For virtual exhibits: Make sure all links, images, and interactions behave consistently across all devices. You're going to want to take a walk through your exhibition like a viewer would, making any amendments to anything that feels ambiguous or unwieldy. This may seem like a minor step, but it will contribute intensely to the professionalism of the exhibition, and the user experience. It's the final quality control check before you open.
10. Host the Exhibition and Engage the Audience
On the launch day: consider starting your exhibition by welcoming your guests with a short speech or virtual welcome/introduction. You can provide tours or include QR codes linked to videos (tour or artist interview). There are many different ways to personalize the exhibition: guest books, comment sections, live chats, and others! Get feedback and thank everyone publicly. When hosting an exhibition, you focus on the artists first and welcome your guests as an event host. Remember, it is great exposure for the artists and it can provide a unique experience for guests. It is also great practice for public speaking and event hosting!
Organizing a student art show can be a rewarding and collaborative endeavor that fosters creativity, leadership and communication. From dreaming about an idea, through planning and execution, it is an opportunity to learn and practice real-world skills while developing confidence and community. Whether virtual or IRL, the final exhibition is about celebrating hard work and artistic expression - it is about encouraging students to share their point of view with the world. Just remember, start with passion, stay true to your plan, and let your creativity soar!
FAQs:
1. Do I have to be an art student in order to help curate?
No! Curating is about organizing, writing, marketing, and presenting - things that anyone can create.
2. How do I do a virtual exhibition for free?
Use free options. Make Google Sites, use Canva to make posters, and use ArtSteps. Or don't forget to ask teachers and if they have school approved platforms and support.
3. Can younger students submit work too?
Yes! Just make sure to state the age ranges in submission guidelines for fairness and organization.
4. What if I don't get very many submissions?
Contact art teachers, classmates, and clubs. Sometimes a smaller show will allow for a more in-depth story and conversation.
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