Ongoing from September 2022 – September 2023
For too long, privileged sectors of society have held the power to define good and bad taste, and to decide what does and doesn’t deserve to be seen or heard. The Sounds Now Curating Labs inject fresh voices, different perspectives and new artistic styles into the curation of projects within the fields of music and sound art.
Ultima’s Curating Lab sessions provide a thorough grounding in the curation process, from ideas and concept development to education, practical implementation, inclusion and social responsibility. The programme is free. Participants meet and learn from experienced curators and mentors, and get involved in tasks relating to curating Ultima Festival’s programme.
Programme schedule
The Curating Lab consists of 8 official sessions which take place in afternoons and evenings in Oslo during autumn 2022 and spring 2023. The programme lasts for one year, beginning September 2022.
In addition, there are various ‘unofficial’ events at which participants attend different concerts and performances together, to get inspiration for our ongoing discussions about the curator’s role, education, execution, quality, insider- and outsiderdom, and approaches to experimental music and sound art.
As part of the course, participants are invited to put together an event to be presented as part of September’s Ultima Festival 2023.
Expansion of knowledge and healthy conflicts of opinion
In order to get to know each other, establish a safe space for expressing opinions and to ensure participants get the most out of the programme, the project is conducted according to the principles of Open Space Technology and Genuine Contact. These formats allow participants to set the agenda themselves, and develop knowledge together. In this way, the course is tailored to the participants’ specific needs. The open format also helps foster a mutual exchange in which the participants and the festival listen to and learn from one another.
Interested in Curating Labs? Also check out:
Wilde Westen’s Curating Lab with Mijke Harmsen, Amin Srasra, Wouter Vanhaelemeesch and Loes Rusch
Musica’s Curating Lab with Christine Eyene and Elsa M’bala
Upcoming Curating Labs in 2023: Onassis Cultural Centre (April), Transit Festival (October), Musica Impulscentrum (October), hcmf// (November)