Cocurated

Cocurated, or co-curated, refers to the process or outcome of curation conducted jointly by two or more curators or institutions. The term combines the prefix co- with curate, indicating collaboration in selecting, organizing, and presenting content or objects for an audience. It is commonly used in arts, culture, and information contexts, and can apply to exhibitions, collections, digital platforms, and educational projects.

In practice, cocuration involves shared planning and decision making about themes, inclusion criteria, and presentation formats. It often requires clear roles, documentation of decisions, and agreed-upon rights and attribution. The approach can extend across physical spaces such as museums and galleries, as well as online environments, where communities, institutions, and researchers collaborate to shape a narrative or experience.

Benefits of cocuration include broadened perspectives, enhanced accessibility, and resource sharing. By involving multiple voices, cocurated projects can reach wider audiences and reflect diverse communities. Challenges can arise from coordinating visions, balancing expertise and authority, managing timelines, and addressing issues of credit, consent, and rights management. Transparent governance, explicit criteria, and documented processes help mitigate conflicts and ensure that contributions are appropriately recognized.

Cocuration is used in various domains, including art exhibitions, archival projects, scholarly compilations, and digital media interfaces. As collaborative culture grows, co-curated initiatives increasingly emphasize inclusivity, participatory design, and ongoing stewardship of cultural and informational material.