Curatorial Conference: Building a Cathedral

For the second year, EXPO CHICAGO and Independent Curators International (ICI) are thrilled to present a free, public curatorial conference as part of the annual Curatorial Forum at EXPO CHICAGO. Building a Cathedral, our 2025 curatorial conference theme, leans into the question of what’s next for cultural institutions that remain in need of reform: How can cultural workers adopt a long-term view to not only meet the needs of today, but also build lasting foundations for future generations? The two-day program of talks takes the metaphor of cathedral construction to ask how our approach to curatorial work, and to one another, changes when we operate under this longer timeframe. What might it look like if one generation focuses on preparing the site, the next on pouring a foundation, so the following can take up the work of construction?

A “cathedral thinking” approach recognizes the scale of change necessary and understands that building more supportive, equitable, accessible, and nurturing spaces is truly a multi-generational undertaking. Building a Cathedral will open with a keynote lecture by independent curator, cultural critic, and policy analyst Marian Pastor Roces. Over her 50-year career, Roces has been an indelible voice in the analysis of art, culture, and institutions, insightfully illustrating how they are enmeshed with politics and the distribution of power. This will be followed by two panel discussions—Foundation and Transmission—featuring artists, curators, and cultural practitioners who explore the possibilities of transcending traditional art institutional structures. 

Foundation will look at alternative and expanded modes of practice being implemented today, and consider innovative ways in which we can push art and culture's influence into other spheres of society. Speakers include Dr. Kelli Morgan (founding Executive Director & CEO of These Museum Streets and Black Artists Archive); Albert Heta (artist, designer, Ph.D candidate, and co-founder of Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina); and Dr. Romi Crawford (professor, writer, curator, and Founder of The New Art School Modality). 

Transmission considers the many modes by which we pass the baton onto the next generation, in a far-ranging conversation that will explore ideas of stewardship, sustainability, and the importance of human relationships in building archives and relaying knowledge. Speakers include Renan Laru-an (independent curator and theorist, former Artistic Director of Savvy Contemporary); Camila Marambio (Curator of New Perspectives at Para La Naturaleza); and Camille Bacon (writer, co-Editor-in-Chief of Jupiter Magazine). 

Info: Arrive at East Entrance 2 of Navy Pier near the Sable Hotel, follow the signage and enter through the glass doors. A staff member will greet and direct you when you arrive. Take the stairs, past the fair's will-call on the floor 2, and continue on until you arrive at floor 3, where you will see a check-in booth. Elevators also available.

Info: Building a Cathedral will open with a keynote lecture by independent curator, cultural critic, and policy analyst Marian Pastor Roces. Over her 50 year long career, Roces has been an indelible voice in the analysis of art, culture, and institutions, and how they are enmeshed with politics and the distribution of power. This will be followed by two panel discussions—Foundation and Transmission—featuring artists, curators, and other cultural practitioners exploring the possibilities of transcending traditional art institutional structures.

Info: Foundation will look at alternative and expanded modes of practice being implemented today, and consider innovative ways in which we can push art and culture's influence into other spheres of society. Speakers include Dr. Kelli Morgan (founding Executive Director & CEO of These Museum Streets and Black Artists Archive); Albert Heta (artist, designer, PhD candidate, and co-founder of Stacion – Center for Contemporary Art Prishtina); and Dr. Romi Crawford (professor, writer, curator, and Founder of The New Art School Modality).

Info: Transmission considers the many modes by which we pass the baton onto the next generation, in a far-ranging conversation that will explore ideas of stewardship, sustainability, and the importance of human relationships in building archives and relaying knowledge. Speakers include Renan Laru-an (independent curator and theorist, former Artistic Director of Savvy Contemporary); Camila Marambio, (Curator of New Perspectives at Para La Naturaleza); and Camille Bacon, (writer, co-Editor-in-Chief of Jupiter Magazine).

Info: Keynote speaker, Marian Pastor Roces and panelists from Foundation, Transmission are welcomed back to the stage to reflect on the conference and answer any questions.

Host or Publisher EXPO CHICAGO and ICI