Under Tom Eccles, the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard is training a generation of sharp young curators. Alums form a growing network – from staff at alternative spaces in New York to the artistic director of the recent Mercosul Biennial and creative director of the Center for Historical Reenactments in Johannesburg.

Visiting lecturers, scholars and artists in residence – Luke Fowler developed his film All Divided Selves (2011) there – bolster vigorous pedagogy, while the galleries at CCS and the neighbouring Hessel Museum provide hands-on training and host exhibitions like this summer’s retrospective of Haim Steinbach and Beatrix Ruf’s Helen Marten show. Adding even more heft, the curator, writer, artist and educator Paul O’Neill recently replaced critic Johanna Burton – she remains on staff – as director of the center’s graduate programme, and the library acquired the archives of Colin de Land and Pat Hearn.