Date: 18 January – 15 February 2027

Why do we call some things art and not others? Who decides what deserves our attention, and how is artistic value created?

Art 101 is a five-session interactive lecture series offering different ways to understand contemporary art and navigate its diverse practices and contexts. Together, we will explore how our ideas about art have changed, what roles ideas, craftsmanship and humour play in artistic practice, and how the art world is shaped by institutions, collectors, patrons and the global art circuit. 

Starting with the question of what contemporary art actually is, we will look at how artistic value is established, who determines which artists and artworks gain visibility, and what alternatives exist to established structures. We will also explore the relationship between taste, culture and social class, and how artists challenge conventional ideas about what art can be. 

Rather than offering a single, definitive interpretation, the course opens up space for different perspectives, questions and shared reflection. Each session includes discussion, while the final conversation with curator Theo Carnegy Tan and Peter Watkins connects the themes explored throughout the course with real-life experiences of contemporary art and curatorial practice. 

The programme is held in English. You can join us in person at Kunsthalle Praha or online.

Why join Art 101?

· Develop new ways of understanding contemporary art. Explore artworks in context and discover questions that can help you interpret them. 

· Get to know how the art world works. Learn about galleries, museums, curatorial practice, collecting, patronage and international art exhibitions. 

· Explore different perspectives. From changing ideas about art and taste to questions of value, power and alternative ways of organising artistic practice. 

· Take part in the conversation. The interactive format combines lectures, discussion and shared reflection. No specialist knowledge is required. 

· Lectures in English. Led by British artist and educator Peter Watkins, the course offers an opportunity to explore contemporary art in an English-speaking environment. 

· Connect ideas with practice. The final conversation with curator Theo Carnegy Tan and Peter Watkins will explore the role of curating in contemporary art. 

· Choose how you participate. Attend in person at Kunsthalle Praha or join online. 

Practical information

Programme

18 January — What Is Contemporary Art?
What does contemporary art mean today? How have ideas about art changed over the past century, and what roles do ideas, craftsmanship and the act of making play in artistic practice? 

25 January — Is It Kitsch or Is It Art?
Who decides what counts as good taste and what is dismissed as kitsch? We will explore how culture, education and social class shape our ideas of artistic quality, and how artists use humour, parody and excess to challenge these hierarchies. 

1 February — The Art World
What happens in an artist’s studio, and how does an artwork reach its audience? We will explore artistic practice and the role of galleries, museums, curators, and collectors in shaping what we see and how artistic value is established. 

8 February — The Global Art Circuit
How does the international art world work, and who gains visibility within it? We will examine the relationships between artists, collectors and patrons, the role of biennials and art fairs, and the independent and collective initiatives that offer alternatives to established structures. 

15 February — Conversation: Theo Carnegy Tan and Peter Watkins
The final session explores the role of curating today. Curator Theo Carnegy Tan and Peter Watkins will build on the themes of the previous sessions, connect them with real-life examples and open the floor to questions and discussion.