In 2001 Donna established a Masters programme in Curating Contemporary Design at the Design Museum, working in partnership with Kingston University. This unique collaboration has grown into one of the world’s foremost MA programmes for design curators. The course is taught by leading curators and designers and engages critically and creatively with our fast-changing, complex world. Students have the opportunity to curate live projects and build professional profiles, through curating projects at the Design Museum and with institutions such as the Architectural Association, British Council, Gallery Fumi, National Trust and the Royal Academy of Arts. Led by both research and practice, this course has taught aspiring curators for more than fifteen years and has developed an extensive international network of alumni with graduates working for museums, galleries and cultural organisations globally. Donna continues to lead the MA CCD programme for the Design Museum, in partnership with Kingston School of Art.
Throughout her career and drawing on her own professional practice, Donna has delivered public lectures and talks on the curating process at leading museums and educational institutions across the UK and internationally. She has spoken at exhibition press briefings, private views and academic conferences. She has been invited to join selection committees, judging panels and has provided media comment for TV and radio.
TEACHING ROLES
Course Leader
MA Curating Contemporary Design
Kingston University in partnership with the Design Museum, London
2001 - present
Visiting Lecturer
MA Fashion Management and Communication
University for the Creative Arts
2018 - present
External Examiner
MA Curating Fashion
London College of Fashion
2015 - present
External Examiner
MA Curating and Collections
Chelsea College of Arts, London
2017 - 2018
Peer Assessor
Hull UK City of Culture
2017
Advisor
Arts&Heritage
2009 - 2013
Vice Chair and Committee member
Touring Exhibitions Group (TEG)
2003 - 2012
SELECTED PROFESSIONAL ENGAGEMENTS
2019: Lecture: Paul Smith, as part of V&A Study Weekend, British Fashion since Quant, V&A, London.
2018: Public Lecture and Workshop: An Introduction to Curating Contemporary Design, Amman Design Week, Jordan.
2017: Research project and visit to Almaty, Kazakhstan: City Nomads
The outcome of an MA student project with the Architecture, Design, Fashion, Arts Group at the British Council exploring Kazakhstan's emerging design identity. The winning project team were invited by the British Council to travel to Almaty, in the north west of Kazakhstan, to undertake research to inform the curatorial concept for an exhibition at EXPO 2017: Future Energy in Astana.
2015: Lecture: Hussein Chalayan, as part of V&A Fashion Course, Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty, V&A, London.
2015: Public Lecture: The Star that Wore the Trousers: The Style of Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Hepburn season, BFI Southbank, London.
2014: Panel discussion with Lena Dunham and Susie Lau: Women Fashion Power, Woman’s Hour, BBC Radio 4.
2012: Contributor: Dream Lab
A collaborative science-based curating platform delivered in partnership with Kingston University, the British Council, Royal College of Art and the Science Museum. Dream Lab was broadened into a live project which included the participation of over 60 of China's leading universities.
2010: Public Talk: Curating Design and Technology, British Council China SMART talk series, Tsutaya bookstore, Shanghai.
2010: Public Talk: In conversation with Hussein Chalayan, as part of the Design Museum touring exhibition, Hussein Chalayan: From fashion and back, Istanbul Modern.
Image: CCD graphics designed by Malcolm Garrett