I’m a queer history curator based in the Midlands, currently completing a PhD at The Bartlett School of Architecture, UCL. Combining oral testimony and participatory drawing, my research expands on the history of the bars, clubs, and community centres used by LGBTQ+ people in Birmingham between 1954 and 1994.
My curatorial and academic work is driven by a strong commitment to recording and sharing queer history, with a focus on local narratives that challenge the London-centric nature of LGBTQ+ heritage. I take a collaborative, person-centred approach that prioritises co-curation and the production of accessible and engaging outputs including exhibitions, events, and publications.
As an educator, I designed and delivered the undergraduate module ‘Queer Art Activism’ in the Department of Art History, UCL, from 2022 to 2024. Through classroom-based seminars and site visits, I encouraged students to engage critically with the role of art in addressing the challenges facing queer people, as well as how museums and galleries can share queer history in collaborative and inclusive ways.
I have extensive experience delivering workshops, tours, and conference presentations. My writing includes contributions to publications such as Frieze and this is tomorrow, alongside book chapters exploring the change-making potential of exhibitions and art-making for queer communities.
Previously, I worked as Assistant Curator at Nottingham Contemporary, supporting the programming and delivery of live events. Alongside institutional work, I have developed freelance curatorial projects in partnership with queer and cultural organisations across the UK, supported by Arts Council England. These collaborations have resulted in exhibitions, screenings, and events that foreground community knowledge and explore the possibilities of queer heritage in creative, public-facing ways.
ryanpaulkearney[at]gmail[dot]com
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