The pathway to becoming a curator can seem mysterious. Art schools may rarely discuss it, where the focus is often on becoming a practising artist. At least one Australian school is known to have had its curatorial class killed off during the COVID pandemic.
ArtsHub talks to two curators to find out more about the profession in 2024 and how they made it their career.
Laura Brinin is a true success story, working in what she describes as her “dream gallery” where she mixes curating, management, mentorship, sales and event planning. ‘I wear a lot of hats!’ she says of her role as Curator at Side Gallery in the leafy suburb of Red Hill, Brisbane. Her career wasn’t always straightforward, however. Brinin says she realised early on that the Australian art scene was competitive and saturated, compelling her to pursue a trade qualification in order to have a back-up and keep her options open.