curaduría

Curaduría is a term used in Spanish to denote curatorship in the arts and culture sector, as well as a form of guardianship or guardianship-like administration in legal contexts. The exact meaning depends on the domain and country, but in general it refers to care, management, and stewardship of people, collections, or assets.

In museums, galleries, and cultural institutions, curaduría (curatorship) describes the planning, research, and execution of exhibitions and collections. A curator selects works, organizes the conceptual framework, arranges loans and installations, writes scholarly material, and develops interpretive programs for audiences. Modern curaduría also embraces digital platforms, audience participation, and cross-disciplinary collaborations, expanding beyond traditional gallery spaces to include online and community-centered projects.

In civil-law contexts, curaduría can refer to a guardianship or curatorship established by a court to protect the rights and manage the affairs of a person who cannot do so themselves, such as a minor or an incapacitated adult, or to administer assets. The curator or guardian has fiduciary duties to act in the best interest of the represented person and is subject to supervision by the judiciary or relevant public offices.

Other uses appear in public or institutional language where curaduría denotes offices or bodies responsible for oversight, protection of rights, or administration within a given sector. The term’s scope and powers vary by country and legal tradition.

Etymologically, curaduría derives from curar, to care for, and reflects the core idea of stewardship and responsible handling of resources, people, or knowledge.