Module: CR7004-30 Reaching Audiences

Level: 7

Credit Value: 30

Module Tutor: Ben Parry

Module Tutor Contact Details: b.parry@bathspa.ac.uk

1.Brief description and aims of module

This module explores what curators need to consider when making live projects and presenting work in public contexts, and addresses the different ways in which curatorial practices frame concepts of audience, It includes the study of participation, collaboration, co-production and engagement with audiences as integral components of contemporary curatorial practice. It compares the body of theory and practice around interpretation, participation and engagement with methods for evaluating impacts when applied to different ‘real world’ settings inside and/or outside the gallery.

This module asks you to work on a live project or present text based study. Live projects might include exhibitions, displays, learning projects or residencies in appropriate settings, where the project is assessed alongside a project report. Alternatively, you may present their assessment work as single text in the form of an essay, but this will be based on experience of a live project.

Various aspects of the programme, from invited guest speakers, site visits, case studies and assigned reading will explore the methodologies that venues and arts organisations employ for reaching audiences; creating a strategy, developing campaigns, tactical approaches, fostering short, medium & long-term impact, how to create and use effective methods of evaluation. In all cases and through your own live projects we will be asking; Who are our audiences? How do we evaluate impact? How do we reach new audiences? How can we gather useful audience feedback? How is this data employed?

2.Outline syllabus

The syllabus covers the different ways in which curatorial practices frame concepts of the audience. This includes:

• Venue based strategies to engage new audiences

• Audience research and segmentation

• Varieties of learning theories and ‘learning styles’

• Participation, collaboration and engagement as artistic and curatorial practice

• co-curating with audiences and specific communities

• the ‘artist-curator’

• artists and creative practitioners as interpreters and mediators

• the holistic approach to curating and ‘gallery learning’

• temporary and displaced presentations of collections as ‘alternatives’ to traditional curating

3.Teaching and learning activities

The syllabus surveys specific projects through seminar-based sessions. Early in the module you will be asked to nominate and agree a live project to be presented to an audience. This project will be the core element of the module for assessment.

These projects may be developed individually or in collaboration with other students. Examples of a project include: an exhibition; an event or screening; a learning activity programme or a publicly available resource such as a leaners’ pack. The Course tutors will support and facilitate the realisation of your project, including assisting negotiation with partner organisations providing the context.

You are required to cover the essential reading listed and develop a proactive approach to any further reading and research specific to their own focussed interests to be presented in the final assessment.

Course tutors provide continuity between the different field sessions, and will use group and one-to-one tutorial sessions to provide individual student focus in preparation for the final presentations.

The module handbook provides more specific details on schedules, assignments, formative feedback and summative assessment for this module.

Assessment Item 1:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Reaching Audiences Project

• % Weighting: 60%

Assessment Item 2:

• Assessment Type: Course Work

• Description: Written Submission

• % Weighting: 40%