5 Photography and Prints Curator Interview Questions and Answers

Introduction

This question is critical for understanding your hands-on experience in curating exhibitions and your ability to select and present works that tell a cohesive story.

How to answer

• Use the STAR method to outline your project clearly.
• Describe the theme or concept of the exhibition and why you chose it.
• Explain the selection process for the photographs, including criteria for choosing works.
• Discuss how you collaborated with artists, stakeholders, or other curators.
• Mention any challenges faced and how you overcame them, as well as the exhibition's outcome and visitor response.

What not to say

• Focusing on personal opinions without explaining the rationale for selections.
• Neglecting to discuss collaboration and teamwork aspects.
• Failing to provide specific examples or metrics of success.
• Overlooking the importance of the visitor experience in the exhibition.

Example answer

“At the Museum of Modern Art, I curated an exhibition titled 'Visions of America,' focusing on contemporary photographers capturing diverse American narratives. I selected works based on their emotional impact and contribution to social dialogue. Collaborating closely with the featured artists, I organized community engagement events that increased visitor turnout by 30%. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the exhibition's relevance and depth.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your commitment to professional development and awareness of the shifting landscape within the photography and prints sector, which is vital for a curator.

How to answer

• Mention specific publications, websites, or organizations you follow.
• Discuss any professional networks or communities you are part of.
• Share experiences from workshops, exhibitions, or conferences you attend.
• Explain how you incorporate new trends into your curatorial practice.
• Highlight any ongoing learning or skills development efforts.

What not to say

• Implying that you do not keep up with trends or changes in the field.
• Listing only a few sources without demonstrating depth in your approach.
• Failing to connect your knowledge of trends with practical applications.
• Neglecting to mention any personal initiative in learning.

Example answer

“I regularly read publications like 'Photograph' and 'Artforum,' and I am an active member of the American Society of Media Photographers. I attend annual photography festivals and workshops, where I engage with artists and industry leaders. Recently, I incorporated insights from a workshop on digital photography trends into a curatorial project, enhancing its relevance to contemporary audiences.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your curation skills, ability to handle artistic projects, and your understanding of how to engage an audience through visual storytelling.

How to answer

• Use the STAR method to structure your response: Situation, Task, Action, Result.
• Describe the theme or concept behind the exhibition and how it relates to the audience.
• Explain your selection process for artworks, including criteria for quality, relevance, and diversity.
• Detail how you collaborated with artists and stakeholders during the curation process.
• Discuss the outcome of the exhibition, including visitor engagement and feedback.

What not to say

• Focusing solely on logistics without mentioning the creative aspect.
• Neglecting to discuss the impact of the exhibition on the audience.
• Overemphasizing personal preferences over audience relevance.
• Failing to mention collaboration with artists or the community.

Example answer

“At the National Gallery in London, I curated an exhibition titled 'Urban Reflections,' showcasing contemporary urban photography. I selected pieces that captured the essence of city life through diverse perspectives. My criteria included artistic merit and relevance to current social issues. The exhibition opened with a panel discussion featuring several of the photographers, and we saw a 30% increase in visitor engagement compared to previous exhibitions, along with positive feedback from our audience.”

Introduction

This question gauges your commitment to professional development and your ability to keep the curation relevant and innovative.

How to answer

• Discuss specific resources you utilize, such as industry publications, online courses, or social media platforms.
• Explain your engagement with the photography community, including attending workshops, exhibitions, or networking events.
• Share examples of how you’ve applied new trends or insights to your curation work.
• Mention influential photographers or curators you follow and how they inspire your work.
• Highlight your willingness to adapt and innovate based on emerging trends.

What not to say

• Claiming to rely solely on personal experience without seeking external input.
• Having a passive approach to learning, such as 'I just look at what’s popular.'
• Failing to mention any specific resources or communities.
• Expressing resistance to change or new ideas.

Example answer

“I stay updated on trends by subscribing to 'British Journal of Photography' and following leading photographers on Instagram. I also attend local gallery openings and participate in workshops. Recently, I integrated the trend of immersive installations into my curation, creating a more engaging experience for visitors. Following the work of curators like Hans Ulrich Obrist has also inspired me to think outside the traditional exhibition formats.”

Introduction

This question assesses your curation skills, creative vision, and ability to execute an exhibition from concept to completion, which are essential for a Senior Photography and Prints Curator.

How to answer

• Use the STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result to structure your response.
• Begin with the context of the exhibition: its theme and objectives.
• Detail your curatorial vision and how it aligned with the institution's mission.
• Explain the steps you took to select works, engage artists, and design the layout.
• Highlight metrics of success such as visitor numbers, engagement levels, or critical reception.

What not to say

• Focusing solely on the artworks without discussing the curation process.
• Neglecting to mention collaboration with artists or stakeholders.
• Overlooking challenges faced during the curation process.
• Failing to provide measurable outcomes or impacts of the exhibition.

Example answer

“At the Museum of Modern Art, I curated an exhibition titled 'Urban Reflections,' exploring the intersection of city life and photography. My vision was to showcase diverse perspectives, so I collaborated with both established and emerging photographers. I organized community workshops to engage local artists, which enriched the exhibition. The result was a 30% increase in attendance compared to previous exhibitions, and we received positive reviews from major publications, highlighting the innovative approach to representation.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your commitment to professional development and your ability to integrate contemporary trends into your curatorial practice, which is crucial for a Senior Curator.

How to answer

• Discuss specific resources you utilize, such as industry publications, exhibitions, and social media.
• Explain how you engage with artists and participate in relevant communities.
• Provide examples of trends you've incorporated into past exhibitions or programs.
• Highlight the importance of balancing trends with timeless artistic values.
• Mention any ongoing education or workshops you attend to enhance your expertise.

What not to say

• Claiming to have no interest in current trends.
• Focusing only on historical contexts while ignoring contemporary influences.
• Not providing specific examples of how trends have impacted your work.
• Neglecting to mention any engagement with the photography community.

Example answer

“I regularly read publications like 'Photograph' and 'ArtForum' and follow influential photographers on Instagram. This helps me identify emerging trends, such as the rise of sustainability in photography. For example, I recently curated a show that featured photographers using recycled materials, which resonated with our audience and sparked important conversations around environmental responsibility in the arts. Additionally, I attend workshops and industry conferences to continuously refine my understanding of both historical and contemporary practices in photography.”

Introduction

This question is important as it evaluates your experience in curating exhibitions and your ability to engage and impact the audience through visual storytelling.

How to answer

• Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your response.
• Clearly describe the theme or focus of the exhibition and why it was chosen.
• Detail the planning process, including collaborations with artists or stakeholders.
• Discuss how you engaged the audience through interactive elements or educational programming.
• Share specific feedback or metrics that demonstrate the exhibition's success.

What not to say

• Focusing solely on the number of artworks without discussing the narrative or theme.
• Neglecting to mention audience engagement or educational components.
• Not providing measurable impacts or feedback from visitors.
• Overlooking challenges faced during the curation process.

Example answer

“At the São Paulo Art Biennial, I curated an exhibition titled 'Transcending Boundaries' that showcased contemporary photographers addressing social issues. I collaborated with 10 artists and organized workshops to engage the community. The exhibition attracted over 5,000 visitors, and feedback indicated a 90% satisfaction rate, with many expressing a deeper understanding of the issues presented. This experience reinforced the power of photography in sparking dialogue.”

Introduction

This question assesses your critical thinking and judgment skills regarding artistic merit and relevance in the context of a collection.

How to answer

• Describe your criteria for evaluating photographic works, such as artistic merit, technical quality, and thematic relevance.
• Explain the importance of context, including historical significance and the artist's background.
• Discuss how you balance personal taste with broader audience appeal.
• Share examples of how you have applied this evaluation in past roles.
• Mention any tools or methodologies you use for assessment.

What not to say

• Relying purely on personal preference without a structured evaluation process.
• Ignoring the artist's background or the work's historical context.
• Failing to consider the intended audience or purpose of the collection.
• Being overly dismissive of works that do not align with your personal taste.

Example answer

“When evaluating photographic works, I consider artistic merit, technical proficiency, and thematic relevance. For instance, while reviewing submissions for an exhibition, I look for works that resonate with current social issues and have a strong narrative. I also research the artists to appreciate their backgrounds and intentions. This comprehensive approach ensures that the collection is not only visually compelling but also contextually rich, ultimately serving the audience's interests.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your problem-solving abilities and resilience in managing the complexities of curation.

How to answer

• Identify a specific challenge related to the curation process, such as logistical issues or disagreements with artists.
• Explain the steps you took to address the challenge, including any negotiations or compromises.
• Discuss the outcome and what you learned from the experience.
• Highlight any collaboration with team members or stakeholders during the resolution process.
• Reflect on how this experience has influenced your approach to future curation projects.

What not to say

• Avoiding details about the challenge and focusing only on the outcome.
• Blaming others for the challenge instead of taking ownership.
• Failing to mention any lessons learned or changes in your approach.
• Describing a challenge that lacks relevance to the curation process.

Example answer

“While curating a collection for a cultural festival, I faced a significant challenge when one of the featured photographers withdrew last minute. To address this, I quickly reached out to other artists in my network and secured a replacement whose work aligned with the exhibition's theme. I communicated transparently with all stakeholders, ensuring everyone was on board. This experience taught me the importance of adaptability and maintaining strong relationships within the artistic community.”

Introduction

This question is crucial as it assesses your expertise in photography curation, creativity, and understanding of audience engagement, which are fundamental for the role of Head of Photography and Prints Curation.

How to answer

• Use the STAR method to structure your response (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
• Clearly outline the project's objectives and the target audience.
• Detail your creative process in selecting and curating the photographs.
• Discuss any collaborations with photographers or artists involved.
• Quantify the impact of the project, such as visitor numbers, feedback, or sales.

What not to say

• Focusing solely on the technical aspects of the photography without discussing audience impact.
• Neglecting to mention challenges faced or how you overcame them.
• Providing vague descriptions without specific metrics or outcomes.
• Failing to highlight teamwork or collaboration in the curation process.

Example answer

“At the Tokyo Art Museum, I led a curation project titled 'Urban Landscapes', showcasing the works of emerging photographers. My goal was to connect the audience with the evolving cityscapes of Tokyo. By carefully selecting pieces that told a cohesive story, we attracted over 15,000 visitors in the first month, receiving positive feedback through surveys, particularly about the engaging narrative we created. This project taught me the importance of storytelling in curation.”

Introduction

This question evaluates your commitment to continuous learning and your ability to adapt to industry changes, which is vital for leading a successful curation team.

How to answer

• Discuss specific resources you utilize, such as industry publications, online courses, or conferences.
• Mention any professional networks or communities you engage with.
• Explain how you apply new trends and innovations to your work.
• Share any examples of how staying informed has positively influenced your projects.
• Highlight your approach to mentoring your team in staying updated as well.

What not to say

• Claiming to know everything without referencing specific sources or methods for ongoing learning.
• Not mentioning any engagement with the photography community or industry.
• Focusing only on past knowledge without showing how you adapt to current trends.
• Overlooking the importance of team learning and development.

Example answer

“I subscribe to industry journals like 'Photonews' and attend key conferences such as the Tokyo Photo Festival. I also follow influential photographers on social media to stay informed about emerging trends. Recently, I incorporated interactive digital displays in an exhibition after learning about this trend, which significantly enhanced visitor engagement. I also encourage my team to share insights from their own research during our regular meetings.”