The "Multi-faceted Curator: A workshop on curatorial practices in the context of contemporary art developments and increasing cultural exchange between Asia and Europe", from 6^th-11^th March, 2006, was held in Jakarta and Bandung, Indonesia. Co-organised by ASEF and the Goethe Institut Jakarta, it gathered 28 curators from 19 ASEM member countries.

Thanks to the very positive feedback from all participants, ASEF's partner and numerous supporters, ASEF was encouraged to strengthen its programme not only in the fields of young artists, independent art spaces and museums (as recognised by the Second ASEM Culture Ministers' Meeting in Paris) but also in the area relevant for curators, who are key actors in translating and mediating cultural content between artists, audiences and policy makers.

“Multi-faceted Curator” was prepared in collaboration with three resource curators: Rifky Effendi (Indonesia), Jay Koh (Germany-Malaysia/Myanmar) and Angelika Nollert (Germany, replaced by Nina Montmann). The guest curator for the event was Ute Meta Bauer (Germany/USA), the director of the Visual Arts Programme and associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and also a co-curator of Documenta 11.

The one-week event, articulated around lectures, working groups and excursions to art organisations, opened the path for more network opportunities and experience sharing among the participants. It also served as a launch pad for the projects developed within the framework of new curatorial strategies between Europe and Asia.

Riel Hilario (The Philippines):

“I was informed of curatorial practices more from the West. The topics discussed at the workshop allowed me to articulate my position as a curator in Asia.”

Nina Montmann (Germany):

“I am very happy I have been participating, it made me aware, again, of the fact that inter-cultural exchanges and the shared development of ideas and projects are the most interesting and mind-stirring experiences in our jobs as a curator. This is definitely where the major future task of curating lies, and projects like this are the think tanks for developing new strategies.”