Online Courses

Curating and Money

Lecturer: Martin Fritz

Course dates: 18 + 25 January 2025, 2–6pm (CEST) 
Maximum participants: 20

⮕ Enrol here until January 4, 2025
Fee: EUR 250

 

We will talk about money. This course explores the financial aspects of the curatorial profession, which spans a wide range of roles, each with unique economic implications. Some curators find stability working for public institutions, while others navigate the gig economy or establish their own galleries and art businesses. Regardless of their path, curators must develop a strong understanding of financial matters. This includes everything from negotiating curatorial fees to ensuring fair dealings with artists and colleagues.

The course begins by examining the various legal classifications of curators, whether as employees or self-employed professionals. We will then address the economic realities of the field, covering topics such as fees, salaries, and commissions for sales. Participants will also gain a foundational understanding of the tax system and basic accounting principles. A significant portion of the course is dedicated to calculating the key elements of an exhibition budget and developing a personal financial plan for the upcoming year. Additionally, we will explore ethical considerations in curatorial practice, particularly concerning fundraising and philanthropy.

 

Martin Fritz studied law in Vienna from 1981 to 1986. Since then, he has worked in contemporary art production across Vienna, New York, and Germany. Among his many assignments, he has served as Director of Operations for the re-opening of the PS1 Contemporary Art Centre (now MoMA PS1) in New York, Managing Director of “In Between” – The Art Project of EXPO 2000 in Hanover, and General Coordinator of Manifesta 4 – European Biennial of Contemporary Art in Frankfurt am Main. He also held the position of Director at the Festival der Regionen in Upper Austria.

From 2001 to 2007, he was a member of the Board (Treasurer) of the International Foundation Manifesta. From 2016 to 2020, Fritz served as Rector of the Merz Akademie, Hochschule für Gestaltung, Kunst und Medien, Stuttgart. Since 2022, he has been the Secretary General of the Austrian Commission for UNESCO. As a writer, consultant, and researcher, Martin Fritz specializes in arts administration, cultural policy and governance, site-specific art, and institutional critique.

 

Image: © MF


Preparation for the course:
To ensure a smooth experience, please use a headset (or headphones) and choose a quiet place with a stable internet connection. You will receive access to the required reading materials after booking the course; please review them in advance.

Procedure
This intensive, two-part live course will be conducted via Zoom on two consecutive Saturdays from 2:00 to 6:00 PM CEST. Please prepare a brief introduction of yourself and your projects (3-5 minutes). The first session will focus on an in-depth introduction to the topic and workshop research. Assignments for the second session will be provided at the end of the first session. In the second session, you will receive feedback and evaluations. Upon successful completion, you will be awarded a certificate worth 1 ECTS credit.

Technical instructions
Download the Zoom application. You will find a detailed installation guide here. Zoom can also be accessed through a browser on Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, Android tablet, or Android phone. You will receive a Zoom invitation with a link to join the workshop.