This course offers first-hand experience of biennales in various parts of the world. Students will visit 2-3 biennale (or triennale) exhibitions over a two-week intensive international course. The exhibitions and their content will be examined from the point of view of various disciplines, such as curatorial, art history and theory.

The course provides Students with an understanding of contemporary, innovative approaches to art and exhibition-making. In addition to discussions led by Faculty of Art & Design lecturers, Students will hear from curatorial and/or education staff at the biennales, and, where possible, participating artists. Each course is unique, depending on which biennales are on in any given year: generally, the course will cover European biennales one year (e.g. Venice, Istanbul, Lyon) and Asian biennales in the next year (e.g. Gwangju, Shanghai, Singapore, Sharjah).

Two introductory seminars are held at the Faculty of Art & Design prior to departure. Assessment tasks comprise of an oral presentation at the biennales, a critical response travel journal and a major essay.

This course is open to all Art & Design students in Semester 1, though priority is given to Curating and Cultural Leadership students and places are granted on a competitive basis.

In 2017 students will visit documenta, Kassel (Germany) and the Venice Biennale (Italy), 19 June – 1 July inc. Students are responsible for their own travel arrangements and associated costs and will need to purchase a $250 materials/information pack upon enrolment.