• Try “portfolio”, “ink”, “branding” or a code like “PRS 101”.

IFA 201Illustration and Fine Arts

Art Presentation and Documentation

Present and record finished artwork professionally: framing and hanging, packing and shipping, inventory systems, captions, condition records, studio visits and artist talks.

Planned

About this course

Finished work needs to be presented, tracked and talked about. This course covers the physical side (framing and mounting options, hanging and installation basics, packing and shipping) and the record-keeping side (an inventory with catalogue numbers, standard caption details, condition and provenance records). It finishes with presenting work to people: studio visits, artist talks and walkthroughs. Photographing artwork is covered in depth in Photography for Artists; submissions to calls are covered in Creating Exhibition Submissions.

Who it’s for: Artists with a body of finished work (around ten pieces or more) who are starting to show, sell or lend it.

You will be able to

  • Choose framing, mounting or hanging options suited to a work and a venue.
  • Pack artwork safely for transport or shipping.
  • Maintain an inventory with catalogue numbers, captions, condition and location records.
  • Write accurate captions and labels with standard details.
  • Lead a studio visit or short artist talk about a body of work.

Studio project

A documented body of ten works with inventory, captions, condition and packing records, a hanging plan and a recorded artist talk.

To complete this course

  • Complete every required lesson.
  • Have the assignment “Inventory and presentation kit” accepted by an instructor.
  • Records of completion are issued only for courses whose content has passed instructor review.

Part of

Syllabus

Working titles: they may change as the course is written.

  1. Module 1: Presenting physical work

    Making finished work ready to show.

    1. 1.1Framing and mounting optionsReading · 35 min
    2. 1.2Hanging and installation basicsReading · 30 min
    3. 1.3Packing and shipping artworkReading · 30 min

  2. Module 2: Documenting your work

    Records that save you time and protect your work's history.

    1. 2.1Building an inventory systemExercise · 45 min
    2. 2.2Captions and labelsReading · 25 min
    3. 2.3Condition and provenance recordsReading · 25 min

  3. Module 3: Presenting work to people

    Talking about your work in person and online.

    1. 3.1Hosting a studio visitReading · 25 min
    2. 3.2Artist talks and walkthroughsExercise · 40 min
    3. 3.3Presenting a body of work onlineReading · 25 min

Author: Ricketts University curriculum team (draft for founder review) · Not yet reviewed

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