Art Production: An Emerging New Model of Curatorial Practice

Over the past two centuries, arts administrators, curators, and other presenters of artistic work have had to adjust their practices due to changing art forms.  In the past, the presenters’ role has been mainly to organize the display of artwork, but today arts administrators are becoming more involved in the actual creation of the works.  Over the past three decades, the art world has seen the emergence of installation art, digital art, and an increasing focus on public art in city revitalization projects.  Broadening traditional definitions of what art can be, these new art forms bring a whole new set of problems and challenges to those who present the work.  In response, museum curators are adjusting their work styles, independent art producers are becoming more prevalent, production organizations are being formed, and new graduate programs are being developed to prepare administrators and curators to handle these challenges.