Hi @shafan, UPVOTE when you like something and give them you positive % of Upvote power.

CURATION that is almost a role that means you have to go through certain topic like we do we search Steemit in order to give upvote of to curate Artists and their work.

Curation is like a job you do regular and assess if they are good you should have some idea of the curating field before you decide to do it.

In opposite to that when you Upvote you do not need to have any background knowledge you just like something.