Look We Here Curating the Caribbean

Devise and curate a collaborative display featuring objects that have travelled from the Caribbean, or were purchased in the UK by Caribbean settlers within the last 75 years, alongside those within the V&A collection.

You will share object stories, related interests, and ideas, in a safe space, led by writer, artist, and curator Dr Michael McMillan, whilst developing your curatorial curiosity, knowledge of creative practices, and critical thinking that questions and challenges past and present collecting of Caribbean art and design at the V&A.

We take you on a journey of historical research, object and visual analysis, an understanding of basic interpretation practices, and the collecting and cataloguing of Caribbean art, design, and performance at the V&A, with an opportunity to empower the telling of personal stories in a wider collective narrative.

You are not required to have a background in the arts-sector, but you should demonstrate an interest in the Caribbean and its wider diaspora, history, culture, representation, decolonisation, and legacy, with a willingness to challenge perceptions and stereotypes. Crucially, this includes being open minded, and actively listening to, and respecting the creative process.

‘A people’s art is the genesis of their freedom’

Claudia Jones, Trinidadian journalist, civil rights activist, and community leader.

This in-person short course over six weeks takes place 11.00-16.30 on Wednesdays, starting 24 January to 28 February and has the final course session on Friday 8 March at V&A South Kensington - a detailed schedule of the workshop sessions will be available shortly.