Curatorship Incubation Programme

The course offers a comprehensive introduction to contemporary art curating, combining conceptual learning with hands-on insights from experienced curators and practitioners. The 2025 edition includes 6 core lectures and 4 guest sessions that covers curatorial foundations, practical skills, and case studies. In addition, Advanced participants will benefit from 1 mentorship session and 1 additional presentation session focused on professional development and proposal-building.

Programme Highlights:

• Balanced integration of theory, practice, and curatorial reflection

• Perspectives from leading curators, artists, and cultural practitioners

• Exclusive mentorship and workshop opportunities for Advanced Participants

Courses will primarily be conducted in English. Facilitators may occasionally use Mandarin and Cantonese as needed.

BASIC PROGRAMME

• 4 core lectures + 4 guest sessions

• Covers the foundation of curation, practical skills, and case studies

ADVANCED PROGRAMME

• Everything under Basic Programme, plus

• 1 coaching session

• 1 presentation session

• Exhibition proposal review

• Opportunity to realise proposal*

Application Schedule

Apply Now

Application Deadline: 29 September 2025.

Successful applicants will be contacted by the HART HAUS team in early October.

For any further enquiries, please contact us at atelier@thehart.com.hk.

Eligibility & Selection Criteria

To ensure productive exchanges between facilitators and learners, this year’s programme is limited to a total of 30 participants. Among this total capacity, up to 10 participants can be enrolled in the Advanced Programme.

Participants meeting the following criteria are recommended to apply for this programme:

• A strong interest in curatorial practice

• Relevant experience in arts & culture, architecture, design, or museum work

• A clear commitment to advancing their career in this field

• Individuals who are curious, creative, and open-minded

• Proactive attitude towards driving discussions and learning

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively demonstrate 

• Strong organisational and communication skills 

Terms & Conditions

Click herefor the terms and conditions for the event.

MODULE 1: BEYOND SPATIAL DISPLAY

Curating usually means creating exhibitions, presenting artworks or objects, and taking on the role of a curator. Traditionally, this involves displaying art in a well-organised and meaningful way, often based on a central idea.

However, this incubation programme takes a different approach. We see curating and the role of the curator as responses to today’s social and cultural challenges. By exploring real curatorial projects, this course helps you understand what curators do, how they work, and why their choices matter.

Rather than simply providing answers or fixed meanings, you will learn how curating can raise important questions and inspire critical thinking. Through discussions and case studies, you will be encouraged to see curating as a creative and thoughtful process.

MODULE 2: ALTERNATIVE LENS: FROM INTERNATIONAL BIENNALE TO COMMUNITY PRACTICES

This module explores the diverse approaches to curating, moving beyond major international biennales to focus on community-based art practices. Through case studies and discussions, it examines how exhibitions and projects can engage local audiences, address social issues, and experiment with alternative curatorial models. The module encourages participants to think critically about the impact and possibilities of curating in both global and community contexts.

MODULE 3: CURATING AS OPEN STRUCTURE: MATERIAL, PEOPLE, AND URBAN LANDSCAPE

This module explores curating as a flexible and participatory process that connects materials, people, and the urban environment. By engaging with archival materials, encouraging public participation, and fostering multiple levels of reflection, exhibition-making is presented as a dynamic and open structure for generating new meanings.

*The three core modules of the course will be thoroughly covered over ten sessions within five weeks by the key facilitators and guest speakers for all learners, with advanced learners receiving an additional one-on-one mentoring session and a presentation session. Further course details will be provided before the programme begins.

Designed for committed learners who are ready to excel and stand out, our Advanced Programme provides the additional mentorship support and exclusive opportunities to advance your curatorial career.

In addition to ALL core units and guest lectures covered in the Basic Programme, our Advanced Programme provides:

• One additional session of1-on-1 online coaching with one of our key facilitators, which are customised according to your career development, research and/or exhibition proposal for the course. These are great opportunities for learners to seek further advice in areas such as CV/portfolio building, career planning, curatorial skillsets development, etc.

• One additional session of proposal presentation with other Advanced Programme learners.

• Under facilitators’ guidance, each learner in the Advanced Programme will submit one exhibition proposal by the end of the programme for facilitators to review and provide feedback.

• ONE outstanding proposal would be selected with an opportunity to realise the exhibition at HART HAUS in 2026*. HART HAUS is pleased to offer support for venue sponsorship and marketing for the selected outstanding exhibition proposal.
  
  An additional funding up to HKD30,000 will also be provided to the candidate of the selected proposal.

Please note that:

• To ensure that every Advanced Programme learner receives meaningful feedback from our facilitators, the intake for the Advanced Programme is limited to around 10 participants.

• Each Advanced Learner will be assigned to one of the two key facilitators for a one-on-one mentorship session, determined internally based on mentor availability and scheduling logistics. Each consultation will last approximately one hour and take place via Zoom or phone call, according to the mentor’s preference.

• *HART HAUS reserves the right to make the final decision on selection, scheduling, and the scope of any additional support. Participation in the Advanced Programme does not guarantee that a proposal will be selected or realised.

This programme requires on-site attendance for the majority of the sessions. Classes will be held on 6 consecutive Saturdays in October and November 2925, each day consisting of 2 class sessions.

Dates: 18 Oct, 25 Oct, 1 Nov, 8 Nov, 15 Nov, 22* Nov 2025
Time: HKT 10am-12nn, 1pm-3pm
Venue: HART HAUS (4F, Cheung Hing Industrial Building, 12P Smithfield, Kennedy Town, Hong Kong)

Advanced Learners are required to attend an extra day of classes on 22 Nov 2025. Further information will be shared with learners when the programme begins.

A Certificate of Completion will be issued to learners who have full attendance of the programme (with submission of exhibition proposal for Advanced Learners).

BASIC PROGRAMME: HKD 5,500

ADVANCED PROGRAMME: HKD 6,500

⋇Early bird promotion: apply by 15 September 2025 and enjoy HKD300 off.