A curator ad hoc refers to an individual appointed or assigned to a specific, temporary, and limited role or responsibility in a particular context or situation. The term "curator" originates from the Latin word "curare," meaning "to care for." Conventionally, a curator is responsible for managing and preserving collections or exhibits in museums, galleries, or other cultural institutions.
When the phrase "ad hoc" is appended to "curator," it denotes that the individual has been chosen to fulfill this role for a specific, time-bound purpose or occasion. An ad hoc curator is designated to curate a collection, exhibit, or project that exists temporarily or has a limited duration. Such appointments are often necessitated when institutions or organizations require expertise in a specialized area for a particular event, special exhibition, or unique circumstances.
The responsibilities of a curator ad hoc may vary depending on the given context. They could involve selecting and acquiring artworks or artifacts, organizing and arranging displays, conducting research, writing catalogues or interpretive texts, or overseeing the logistics of an event or exhibition. The individual appointed as a curator ad hoc is typically chosen for their expertise, knowledge, and specific qualifications relevant to the subject matter or theme of the assignment.
In summary, a curator ad hoc is a temporary and situation-specific curator who is assigned or appointed to fulfill a limited role or responsibility within a designated time frame or context. Their primary duty is to care for and manage collections or exhibits in a specialized area for a particular event or occasion.
