Festival Centre Curator: Charissa Davies

Charissa Davies

Can you provide some insight into the daily role of a curator?

It’s a very broad role involving everything from deciding what exhibitions we have in the Artspace Gallery to physically hanging the works of art, writing contracts, dealing with artists and patrons, sales of works of art and doing research.

Artspace Gallery has different types of exhibitions. Some are “touring” exhibitions (ones that are already curated and organised through a touring company) while others are exhibitions curated by the curator at the Adelaide Festival Centre. Works of art are sourced from a range of places depending on the exhibition but can include directly from the artist, a gallery, an arts organisation and through funding bodies.

What has been your most inspiration exhibition you’ve curated and why?

Treasures of the Adelaide Festival Centre collections – it was the first exhibition I curated at the Adelaide Festival Centre and proved to be a highly popular exhibition. It’s a great feeling to see an exhibition through from start to finish and know the public enjoyed and learnt from it.

What are your fondest memories of your time studying at TAFE SA AC Arts?

I loved that at Adelaide College of the Arts I was able to try all the different art forms such as drawing, painting, ceramics and digital media, before deciding what to specialise in.

What made you want to study Visual Art?

I have always had an interest in art, while still in high school I went to an open day at the Adelaide College of the Arts. I was impressed by the centre, the first class gallery, fully equipped workshops and modern studios.

How do you feel AC Arts equipped you with the skills to gain your current position?

TAFE SA taught me about the history of art and gave me the ability to create art in different mediums in a hands on environment. This has allowed me to understand more about works of art than someone who has only read about it.

Would you recommend AC Arts to others looking to further their career?

Yes for the hands on experience and the abilities of the lecturers. Students have access to creative space, a supportive learning environment and first class facilities to help them reach their potential and make a career for themselves.

Do you have any advice for graduates entering the visual arts field?

No day is ever the same, you are constantly learning and discovering just how interesting and broad the visual arts can be.