Art Curating graduate reveals vibrant career pathways
The Master of Art Curating program cultivates a comprehensive knowledge of the cultural, theoretical, social, political and economic forces that shape gallery and museum systems. In collaboration with leading institutions and art spaces, the postgraduate program trains tomorrow’s art sector professionals. Among many professional development opportunities, Art Curating students can complete an internship that serves as a formative work-integrated learning experience to accelerate their careers.
Drs Anna Lawrenson and Chiara O’Reilly caught up with former student Marian Simpson in Wagga Wagga. Following an undergraduate degree in Fine Arts and a postgraduate degree in Art Curating, Marian has carved out a multifaceted career that showcases the arts sector's vibrant opportunities.
For the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, Marian coordinated the installation of an exhibition at the Museum of the Riverina. In this role, she was responsible for everything from digital imaging, producing and installing wall labels and exhibition signage, copy editing, producing video slideshows and designing scaled digital models of exhibition layouts for installation. These tasks commanded a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the artistic and logistical dimensions of curating exhibitions.
Marian Simpson in Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, July 2023. Supplied.
Marian’s professional development has been diverse and enriching. Volunteering at the Venice Biennale was an early career highlight for her. The experience combined her passion for art with the excitement of travel. She also spent over four years as an Exhibition Manager in a regional gallery; a role that provided constant challenges and forced her to think creatively about realising an exhibition program within the resources at hand.
I’ve had a lot of roles and I think the benefit of working in the arts is that they’re all interesting.
As a touring coordinator for Museums & Galleries of NSW, Marian enjoyed collaborating with various galleries to successfully deliver first-rate exhibitions to broad audiences across multiple locations. As she notes, the exhibition process allows staff to "to work directly with objects, art and artists," which is enormously rewarding when such projects come to fruition. More recently, Marian has also been working as an installer, a role she describes as "really gratifying once the show is up and your work is complete."
Reflecting on her academic journey, Marian emphasises the importance of accumulated knowledge, noting that each experience "shapes the way we approach the next thing." She describes her career trajectory as "constantly changing and growing." Internships played a crucial role, providing valuable hands-on experiences and the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings. Through such placements, Marian learned the importance of adaptability and continuous learning.
For current students aspiring to enter the sector, Marian offers valuable advice: "It’s important to have a goal because entering the sector it can be daunting" and having an outcome to work towards provides direction and motivation. However, she adds that it’s important to consider that goals can change and have to adapt accordingly.
The sector is constantly growing and changing so being able to change your expectations is a vital factor when growing into your career.
Most recently Marian has taken up a role as Assistant Registrar, Exhibitions at the Powerhouse. She will undoubtedly continue to hone her skills and accumulate more valuable experience there.
This news article has been based on a story originally written for the GLAM at Sydney blog published by the Discipline of Art History.
Banner image: Marian Simpson in Wagga Wagga Art Gallery. Exhibition Juanita McLauchlan, gii mara-bula / Heart Hand-also, Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, July 2023.