Course overview
Curator Apprenticeship at Teesside University
Delivered at the international gallery and museum, MIMA - this apprenticeship is unique to Teesside University.
The apprentice explores:
- collection development, management (including acquisitions and loans), and historical and contemporary relevance
- research, development and project management of new exhibitions, and curatorial projects and commissioning artists
- interpretation, learning and audience development including digital methodologies
- specialist sector networks and future-proofing your career as a curator.
The apprentice develops their practice across key issues and economic, social and cultural landscapes including decolonisation, diversity and inclusion, place-making and sustainability. The apprentice develops advanced curatorial skills as part of their current employment, providing them with a comprehensive and critical understanding of professional practice, and preparing them for future challenges within the cultural and creative industries.
Please note, we can only respond to enquiries from employers, or individuals with agreement from their employer to undertake an apprenticeship.
Course details
Course structure
Core modules
Curating Collections and Access
You expand your understanding of curatorial practice through engagement with collections, including inclusive and decolonial frameworks within the context of curatorial display. You gain a critical perspective on institutional practices, through a detailed knowledge of collection management and development incorporating audience development projects, communications, interpretation, events and learning programmes.
You develop your critical awareness of social, political, ethical and conceptual issues in and around curation. You explore key theories and practices, both historical and contemporary, developing your curatorial research, analytical and communication skills.
Major Project: Curatorial Practice
This module offers you an advanced learning environment in which to demonstrate an extended professional practice to a level of distinction. Through project supervision you are inspired to build your own creative voice and original practice in the field of curating. You create a portfolio of research and contextual information alongside a presentation of an exhibition, event or project to an audience.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
The apprentice learns through intensive week-long sessions of seminars, lectures, workshops and group activities, plus regular smaller seminars delivered online. Research informed teaching is embedded throughout and delivered by MIMA professors, curatorial specialists, the programme team, key speakers and experienced academics.
We encourage independent exploration, allowing the apprentice to take ownership of their learning and work with their tutors as collaborators rather than dictators of knowledge. This radical new approach to developing the learner as a professional creative practitioner promotes independent enquiry, self-direction and responsibility, communication and negotiated learning.
The apprentice develops a self-directed engagement plan demonstrating professional standards across three areas:
- sustainable and ethical production and partnerships
- developing strength in peer networks and collaboration
- innovative collaborative working towards resilience and inclusion in curation.
How you are assessed
The apprentice is assessed through reports, project research and development work, presentations and visuals. There are no formal exams.
Degree assessment
Each 60-credit module is assessed through a portfolio submission. The assessments focus on the analytical, professional, theoretical and practical elements of the apprentice's study. They engage with tutors about their unique practice and progress towards their engagement plan.
Gateway
On completion of the module portfolios, apprentices edit these into one larger evidence portfolio in preparation for the End Point Assessment. The portfolio should demonstrate the necessary knowledge, skills and behaviours gained throughout teaching to achieve the apprenticeship qualification.
Following completion of the degree and evidence portfolio, a Gateway meeting will take place to confirm that the apprentice meets the requirements and can proceed to the End Point Assessment.
Gateway requirements
• employer is satisfied the apprentice is consistently working at, or above, the level of the occupational standard
• English and mathematics Level 2 (or equivalent)
• evidence portfolio.
End Point Assessment
The End Point Assessment is delivered by an external organisation in line with the apprenticeship standard assessment plan. It consists of two assessment methods:
• Method 1 – professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio
• Method 2 – exhibition project and written report
Successful completion of the two assessment methods will conclude the apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
To be accepted on to a degree apprenticeship course you must have support from your employer, and also meet the course entry requirements - you can find these below.
Places on this course are 95% government funded for employers in the creative and cultural sector. This is open to a wide range of staff at galleries, museums, libraries, and creative organisations, who come to Middlesbrough for week-long residentials then pursue self-directed studies online over two or three years.
The apprentice must be working in an institutional setting with relevant registration and sponsored by you, the employer. The apprentice must also:
- have a minimum of three years full-time or equivalent in part-time hours institutional experience – if they have less than three years’ experience they may be considered following discussion with the course leader providing they have their manager’s support
- hold Level 2 qualifications in English and maths before starting their Teesside University apprenticeship. Find out more.
- attend an interview, a separate induction and a three-way progress review meeting at regular intervals between the apprentice and the University.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
Employability
Career opportunities
The apprentice is prepared for a career in curating across the cultural and creative industries including visual arts, museums and heritage, programming and creating projects across media, design, performance, fashion, festivals and cross art forms. Curators are increasingly sought by sectors such as teaching, academia, health and the environment, to improve public engagement and communications. Curators have an increasingly vital role in interpreting and selecting content across many areas and managing creative relationships of all kinds, it is a future facing career choice that is exploding and the government has labelled a priority through its apprenticeship scheme.
