Caring Infrastructures - by Sascia Bailer (Paperback)

About the Book

Theories and methods for transforming the arts through feminist care ethics, fostering support and equity for art workers and caregivers.

Book Synopsis

Care has become a trend in the art field, but much of the recent curatorial focus seems to be limited to symbolic gestures through exhibitions and public programming. These efforts, however, have led to few (infra)structural changes. The need remains for bringing about fair working conditions, gender equity, and support structures for caregivers and care-receivers. In response, Sascia Bailer redefines »curatorial care« as an infrastructural practice grounded in feminist care ethics that provides »care for presence« for diverse audiences. Drawing from socially engaged curatorial and artistic practices, she offers hands-on propositions for constructing caring infrastructures and provides a micro-political roadmap for curating with care.

Review Quotes

»Bailer's book goes beyond the problem of representation. It can be read as a sharp institutional critique of the art world. She shows how cultural institutions like to talk about inclusivity and care, but shy away from structural internal changes. It can be read as a sharp institutional critique of the art world. She shows how cultural institutions like to talk about inclusivity and care, but shy away from structural internal changes.«-- "Mirthe Berentsen, Boekman, 37 (2025)"

»In this cleverly conceived book, which draws on a wealth of experience as a committed mediator in exchanges with female artists and cultural actors, the author combines the tasks of curating with gender issues and a feminist care approach. It contains both theoretical positions based on profound knowledge and very practical advice on overcoming un-caring infrastructures that perpetuate existing power relations in the art world. [...] With her work, Sascia Bailer makes a valuable contribution at the intersection of care, gender and feminist ethics.« (übersetzt aus dem Deutschen)-- "Jutta Pelz, kultur politik, 2 (2025)"

»A must-read for anyone who wants to understand art, nursing and motherhood as transformative forces!«-- "@kunstundkind.berlin, Instagram, 16.01.25"

»Sascia Bailer asks how care can truly be practiced in curatorial work. She critiques the >care trend

About the Author

Sascia Bailer (Dr.) is a researcher, writer, and curator working at the intersection of care, gender, and socially engaged art. She holds a PhD in Practice in Curating from Zürcher Hochschule der Künste and the University of Reading. As artistic director 201920 at M.1 Arthur BoskampStiftung, she developed a participatory curatorial programme centred on care.