The Emerging Curator: Part 1

I would like to take some time to reflect on this period of my life that I entitle: The Emerging Curator. Sounds glamorous right? Sometimes I wonder... At this point I am trying to network and find work as a curator in a city where I have no professional connections and I have a lot of work to do. This post and my blog, Rose City Art Review, are my way of sharing the journey and exploration with you.

Recently, I earned a Master's Degree in Art History from the University of Connecticut, where I was able to gain a tremendous amount of work experience as a curatorial assistant as well as insight into the type of art historian I would like to become. After graduating, I moved back to my hometown, Portland Oregon, a city that thankfully has a thriving art culture. Moving across the country has made for a rocky and exciting transition. For example, finding an apartment, job hunting, and familiarizing myself with Portland’s ever evolving art world. Not to mention, continuing to develop myself professionally, volunteering, and developing this blog. Needless to say, I rarely have a day that I am not working.

I’ll be up front with you; I do not have a fancy job at a prominent art museum. Right now, I work full time at a café and my days off are spent volunteering at art galleries and gallery hopping for blog content.  It can be overwhelming and sometimes I have moments of self-doubt. However, I spend a majority of my time dedicated to something that I love and that I am passionate about. It doesn’t ever feel like work to get to see incredible art, meet people who have the same interests, and write on my days off. In some ways I feel that my quality of life is so much more fulfilling than any day I had while in graduate school. While this might be one of the most challenging periods of my life, I am confident that I will be successful in my endeavors. 

I would like these posts to be a series within Rose City Art Review to share my story and hopefully pass some advice onto you. There is a considerable lack of information online on how to become a curator or an art historian. I am not here to tell you that I am an expert. In fact, I am the exact opposite. I am learning as I go, and hopefully you can learn from those experiences that I share with you.