Automotive Exhibition Curatorship Course
Online 300-hour course in automotive exhibition curatorship. 6 modules covering the ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums, SPECTRUM 5.0 (collections management) and Collective Access. Assigned tutor and open enrolment.
Automotive Exhibition Curatorship Course — studying from the United States
Restoration and classic vehicle engineering is a niche but active field in the United States, supported by a large enthusiast community and well-established events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and Hershey's AACA Fall Meet. Specialist restoration shops, museums and collector car firms require engineers who understand historic materials, mechanical systems and period-correct design. Work often combines traditional craftsmanship with modern diagnostics and documentation. Professional connections are typically built through clubs and heritage organizations.
Fees for the United States: US$500 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Is there formal professional recognition for classic vehicle restoration in the US?
Restoration is mostly a craft and hobby sector without a licensed engineering title. Relevant organizations include the Antique Automobile Club of America and the Society of Automotive Historians. Some work touches on SAE standards and state vehicle inspection rules. SEIUM's qualifications are private, and their value depends on the client or employer.
What career options exist in classic and restoration work in the US?
Options include independent restoration shops, dealerships specializing in classic cars, auction houses, museums, and collector-focused consultancies. Roles range from restoration technician to project manager. Because this sector values reputation and craftsmanship, portfolios and references often matter more than formal credentials.
Can I study this part-time while working in the US?
Yes, the programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home and no student visa is needed. Workloads run from 300 hours for specialist courses to 1,900 hours for master's programmes. Fees are payable in instalments, and you can plan study around your existing work commitments.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Define the functions and ethical responsibility of the exhibition curator.
Research and select vehicles and documents for an exhibition narrative.
Write a museological project with objectives, audiences and messages.
Coordinate work with designers, conservators and installers.
Plan the catalogue, dissemination and associated activities.
Apply the ICOM Code of Ethics to loans and sponsorships.
Evaluate the results of an exhibition and its impact on the public.
Who it's for
- Exhibition curator wishing to specialise in Automotive Exhibition Curatorship.
- Museum conservator from an automobile museum wishing to specialise in Automotive Exhibition Curatorship.
- Collections documentalist wishing to specialise in Automotive Exhibition Curatorship.
- Cultural activities coordinator wishing to specialise in Automotive Exhibition Curatorship.
- Private collections manager wishing to specialise in Automotive Exhibition Curatorship.
- Automotive history researcher wishing to specialise in Automotive Exhibition Curatorship.
- Engineering or science graduates seeking to enter automobile museums.
What you'll work with
- ICOM Code of Ethics for Museums
- SPECTRUM 5.0 (Collections Management)
- Spanish Historical Heritage Act 16/1985 (Law 16/1985 Spanish Historical Heritage)
- Royal Decree 620/1987 (Regulations for State-Owned Museums)
- CIDOC CRM, ISO 21127 (Conceptual Model for Documentation)
- EN 16095 (Condition Reporting for Movable Cultural Heritage)
- Turin Charter (FIVA, 2013)
6 modules · 300 h
1.1What an exhibition curator does1.2Difference from the conservator and the museographer1.3Commission and scope of curation1.4Preliminary research as a foundation1.5Relationship with the institution1.6Relationship with lenders1.7Project team and its coordination1.8Curatorial timeline1.9Fees and contract1.10Workshop: curatorial proposal for an exhibition
2.1Defining the topic and approach2.2State of the question and bibliography2.3Archives, holdings and collections2.4Locating candidate objects2.5Selection and rejection criteria2.6Verification of authenticity2.7Research records for each object2.8Documentary gaps and how to address them2.9Consultation with specialists2.10Practice: research dossier for an exhibition
3.1Project document and its structure3.2Objectives and target audience3.3Script and sections3.4Final list of objects3.5Spatial and technical requirements3.6Project budget3.7Timeline with milestones3.8Risks and contingency plan3.9Presenting the project to management3.10Practice: writing a museological project
4.1Working with the museographic designer4.2Layout and visitor route4.3Lighting and conservation4.4Supports and object protection4.5Supervision of installation4.6Decisions during installation4.7Budget control on site4.8Relationship with external companies4.9Final review before opening4.10Practice: monitoring an installation
5.1Catalogue: structure and authors5.2Editing, images and rights5.3Wall texts and their coherence5.4Programme of activities and lectures5.5Relationship with the specialist press5.6Institutional communication5.7Visits for professionals and collectors5.8Derived scientific publication5.9Final documentation of the exhibition5.10Practice: catalogue index and programme
6.1Curator's conflicts of interest6.2Influence of sponsorship on the script6.3Rigour versus spectacle6.4Authorship and recognition6.5Exhibition evaluation6.6Final project report6.7Curatorial archive6.8Common curatorial errors6.9Documented real cases6.10Final project: complete curation of an automotive exhibition
How you'll learn
Fully 100% online training on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. No fixed timetables: students progress at their own pace within the intake, which makes it possible to combine study with work.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is Collective Access, Zotero, Adobe InDesign, SketchUp, Omeka S, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Assignments are based on real procedures for writing a museological project, selecting objects from real collections, and evaluating exhibition audiences. Assessment is continuous, per module, plus the final integrating project.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Define the functions and ethical responsibility of the exhibition curator.
Research and select vehicles and documents for an exhibition narrative.
Write a museological project with objectives, audiences and messages.
Coordinate work with designers, conservators and installers.
Plan the catalogue, dissemination and associated activities.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- No prior degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme's software.
- Sufficient command of Spanish to follow technical regulatory texts.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme comprises 300 hours in total, spread over 3 to 5 months. That is between 10 and 15 hours per week on average, compatible with a full-time job.
The course uses Collective Access, Zotero, Adobe InDesign, SketchUp and Omeka S. Free, academic or evaluation versions are used, and the tutor indicates the free alternative where one exists.
An SEIUM own diploma upon passing the continuous assessment and the integrating project. This is in-house training, not an official qualification from the Ministry.
Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are credited towards the advanced programme. Please check the recognition policy when enrolling.
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