What is a 21st Century Curator?

By: Jaime Clifton, Research Curator

As the new Research Curator for MC3CRC, and CTC, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Jaime Clifton and I will be blogging on this platform alongside Professor Ann Dale. Since my background is in Museum Studies and Art History, I am exploring curatorial practice through a new lens—one that utilizes digital assets, such as social media, blogging, and interactive visuals. As I investigate and experiment with new ways of communicating our research, my goal is to uncover intersections between curatorial practice and digital communications. I will also experiment with interpretive and storytelling practices utilized by museums to help me develop innovative ways to mobilize our knowledge.

Curatorial practice now exists in different realms. Whether it occurs in traditional museums, national parks, or even amusement parks, it is no longer reserved for an elite few. It has also infiltrated the digital realm, as evident through web exhibits and Pinterest. This evolution not only reflects developments in technology, but also a desire to share, discuss, and educate from afar. Since we are no longer locked down to place, we can create engaging curated spaces online that communicate our research and findings.

Explore Google Cultural Institute’s Historic Moments  or The Canadian Encyclopedia for numerous web exhibits.

Stay tuned as I continue to explore my curatorial practice in my first blog series, “What is a 21st Century Curator?”.

Merian Metamorphosis LX

Metamorphosis insectorum Surinamensium, by Maria Sibylla Merian (1647-1717), 1705, hand-coloured copper engraving, via Wikimedia Commons. 

Art and nature shall always be wrestling until they eventually conquer one another so that the victory is the same stroke and line: that which is conquered, conquers at the same time. -- Maria Sibylla Merian 

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