Organizer Information
The opportunity is organized by the Royal College of Art (RCA), one of the world’s leading postgraduate universities dedicated exclusively to art, design, architecture, communication, and the humanities. Established in 1837 and based in London, the RCA has built an international reputation for innovation, interdisciplinary research, and critical artistic education.
The RCA’s Curating Contemporary Art programme is internationally recognized for exploring experimental curatorial methodologies and critical contemporary discourse. Through short courses, public programmes, postgraduate study, and professional development initiatives, the institution connects artists, curators, designers, researchers, and cultural practitioners from around the world.
The 2026 Curating Contemporary Art and Design Summer School reflects the RCA’s commitment to interdisciplinary learning, collaborative exchange, and socially engaged curatorial practices. Bringing together leading curators, artists, architects, researchers, and writers, the programme creates a dynamic online environment focused on contemporary art in public contexts.
Title & Description
Curating Contemporary Art and Design Summer School 2026
The Curating Contemporary Art and Design Summer School 2026 is an intensive two-week online programme exploring the theme “Curating Contemporary Art in Public Contexts.” Organized by the Royal College of Art, the course examines how contemporary curatorial practice engages with public space, collective participation, environmental concerns, and social transformation.
The programme investigates curating as an expanded interdisciplinary practice operating beyond traditional gallery systems. Participants will explore how art functions within public environments, communities, social infrastructures, and non-gallery contexts through collaborative workshops, critical discussions, seminars, and project-based learning.
The summer school focuses on key contemporary themes including:
- Public art and shared civic space
- Ethics of community collaboration
- Environmental and ecological concerns
- Participatory artistic processes
- Socially engaged curatorial methodologies
- Collective learning and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Contemporary commissioning and exhibition-making
- Critical and experimental curatorial approaches
Participants will engage directly with internationally recognized guest speakers working across contemporary art, architecture, curating, and public practice. The programme encourages collaborative learning and supports participants in developing and pitching curatorial ideas and projects.
Guest speakers for the 2026 edition include internationally acclaimed artists, curators, architects, and researchers such as Jeanne van Heeswijk, Amal Khalaf, DAAR – Decolonising Architecture Art Research, Tamsin Dillon, Marie-Anne McQuay, Alia Farid, Rose Lejeune, Veeranganakumari Solanki, Harold Offeh, and Adam Jovanović Kaasa.
The course is convened by Elisabeth Del Prete and supported by Thomas Cury, with Professor Victoria Walsh serving as Course Director.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Curatorial
- Design
- Architecture
- Writing
- Art Writing
- Public Art
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Research
- Media Arts
- Performance
- Theatre
- Culture
- Education
- Art Management
- Multimedia
- Video/Film
- Hybrid
- Cross Disciplines
- Literature
Eligibility
The programme is open internationally to:
- Artists
- Curators
- Writers
- Researchers
- Designers
- Arts programmers
- Art and design graduates
- Early-career professionals
- Mid-career cultural practitioners
- Interdisciplinary creatives
Applicants must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Hold an undergraduate degree
- Demonstrate a good level of English proficiency
- Submit a successful online application
The programme is particularly suitable for participants interested in socially engaged curatorial practice, public art, collaborative learning, interdisciplinary methodologies, and contemporary art discourse.
Program Benefits & Awards
- Intensive professional development through a two-week international summer programme
- Access to internationally recognized curators, artists, critics, researchers, and writers
- Live seminars, workshops, and collaborative discussions
- Networking opportunities with international peers and professionals
- Exposure to innovative contemporary curatorial practices
- Feedback and project development support from RCA tutors
- Access to curated learning resources and recorded sessions
- Collaborative online working environments using Zoom, Slack, Miro, and Moodle
- Certificate of online attendance issued by the Royal College of Art
- Opportunities to develop and pitch curatorial project ideas
- Participation in interdisciplinary and practice-led learning environments
Participants will also gain insights into global contemporary art and design practices through direct engagement with leading practitioners working in public and social contexts.
Application Fee
- Regular Fee: £1,875
- Early Bird Fee: £1,675
Payment must be made in full through the RCA online payment system after acceptance into the programme.
Application Requirements
- Online application form
- CV / résumé
- 300-word statement outlining:
- Relevant academic and professional experience
- Interest in the programme
- Curatorial or artistic motivations
Additional requirements:
- Applicants must upload documents following RCA naming guidelines
- Incomplete applications will not be considered
- Applications are accepted only through the official online form
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 June 2026
- Week One: 6–10 July 2026
- Week Two: 13–17 July 2026
- Daily Schedule: 10:00am – 1:30pm BST
- Duration: Two weeks
- Notification: Applicants are informed within approximately two weeks after submission
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the programme reaches capacity.
Location
- Institution Base: London
- Programme Access: International / Online
Additional Details
The programme combines seminars, presentations, collaborative workshops, group discussions, project critiques, and interdisciplinary learning activities within a highly interactive digital environment. Participants work both collectively and in smaller teams while engaging with contemporary debates surrounding public space, community collaboration, ecology, and expanded curatorial practice.
The course is particularly valuable for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of curating beyond institutional exhibition models and develop new frameworks for engaging audiences, publics, and communities.
The Royal College of Art also offers additional public talks connected to curatorial theory and practice through its IN SESSION lecture series, including topics such as publishing, digital curating, writing, and ecological approaches to exhibition-making.
Places are strictly limited, and applicants are encouraged to apply early.