Inside the Art Curator’s Mind: Nurturing Relationships That Lead to Exhibitions

In this episode of The Professional Artist Podcast, curator and art consultant Rodney James is featured by the Professional Artist Association ( ProfessionalArtist.com/join ), the world's fastest-growing global community for committed fine artists. Rodney is an Australian curator, writer, and art historian specializing in 19th- and 20th-century art. His work focuses on developing innovative exhibitions, guiding artists in presenting their work effectively, and fostering lasting connections within the art community. In this deep dive, he shares practical advice on how artists can collaborate with curators and critics to strengthen their visibility and professional growth. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone looking to better understand curatorial practice and expand their reach as an artist. “The key is to have a couple of mentors or people that connect with your work that you allow them to develop with you. There is nothing more privileged for a critic, writer, or curator than to go on a journey over a long time with an artist.” – Rodney James Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 01:16 Rodney's Early Inspiration: Mark Rothko and the Power of Art 03:23 Transition from Academia to Curatorial Work 05:00 The Role of Academia in Shaping Rodney's Career 08:14 Art Criticism and Its Relevance in the Modern Era 10:49 Building Relationships Between Artists, Critics, and Curators 13:12 Rodney's Pivotal Exhibition: The River and Cultural Collaboration 16:52 Collaborative Efforts with Museums and Institutions 19:14 Visibility and Marketing for Artists in a Changing Landscape 21:14 Community Engagement and the Transformational Power of Art Access the members-only full unabridged conversation here: https://hub.professionalartist.com/c/deep-dives-vault/rodney-james Links to artworks discussed: His artworks can be seen in the YouTube version of this podcast here. Resources: National Gallery of Victoria: https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/ Powerhouse Museum: https://www.darlingharbour.com/see-do-stay/powerhouse-museum Connect with Rodney: Website: https://www.rodneyjamesart.com.au/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rodneyjames_art/ Learn more about The Professional Artist Association: Join 50,000+ artists getting Free advice & inspiration: https://professionalartist.com/letter Join ≈1,000 committed artists around the world for less than $1, £ or € a day: https://professionalartist.com/join Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/professionalartistaccelerator Free training and resources: Free training on how to find art buyers without a big following: https://professionalartist.com/find-your-next-3-fine-art-collectors/?utm_source=PODCAST&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=2025-06 Free insider report on how Painters, Sculptors, and Fine Art Photographers make their art income stable and consistent: https://professionalartist.com/report/?utm_source=PODCAST&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=free_report If you enjoyed this episode, please like and subscribe, share it with another artist and leave us a review. We read every single one.