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Curatorial Research : From Idea to Exhibition

Create Your Exhibition

The Purpose of Research

Research is how you prove that what you are doing is adding and connecting to the world and not merely a repeat of earlier work.

When starting your project you should think of it from multiple angles such as:

  • Time Period
  • Place/Space
  • Community
  • Culture 
  • Society
  • Politics
  • Social Justice

By looking at these various angles you will figure out where there is a gap in all the other work--a gap that you can fill. Your exhibition will be something new and uniquely you. 

The Decker Library is a great place to start your research. But if we don't have something, we are happy to get it to you from other libraries

PSST Exhibition catalogues are found everywhere in Decker Library!

Search an artist or keyword and add "exhibitions" to it to find them!

Here are a few resources for finding material that is not in Decker Library: 

Find Books and Video

WorldCat 

If a book or video isn't found in here--it may not be findable. This website has most of the contents of libraries across North America, as well as some premiere world libraries. 

Find Articles (Any Subject) 

Google Scholar 

Looking for an article we don't have? Here's a good place to look first if you don't already have a citation in hand. 

Decker Library at the Maryland Institute College of Art | Location: 1401 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217 | Mailing: 1300 W. Mount Royal Ave., Baltimore, MD 21217

Research Help: 410-225-2273 / refer@mica.edu | General Questions: 410-225-2272 / circ@mica.edu

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