MA Art Market, Provenance and the History of Collecting

Program Overview

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The MA Art Market, Provenance and the History of Collecting at the University of Buckingham is a vocational and academic program that equips students with the skills and knowledge to work in the art market, provenance research, and the history of collecting. The program is unique in its focus on research skills, writing for various audiences, and first-hand experience with objects and collections. Graduates can pursue careers in museums, art galleries, auction houses, private collections, and other fields.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview

The MA Art Market, Provenance and the History of Collecting is a postgraduate program offered by the University of Buckingham. It is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of the art market, provenance research, and the history of collecting.

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The program is vocational and academic, equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge to work in a variety of fields, including museums, art galleries, auction houses, and private collections.

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Objectives:

• Develop students' research skills, including for the practice of Provenance Research.
• Teach students to write for various audiences.
• Provide students with first-hand experience with objects and collections within museums.

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Key features:

• Unique: Focuses on vocational skills such as Provenance Research and research tools for the history of collecting and the art market.
• Interdisciplinary and diverse in approach.

• Taught in Bloomsbury, London.

• Frequent visits to key museums, collections, galleries and auction houses in the UK and abroad.

• Study Week in Vienna or Florence.

• Country House Study Week (shared with the MA Decorative Arts and Historic Interiors).

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Outline

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Program content:

• History of collecting
• Art market
• Provenance research
• Global perspective on art and collecting
• Cabinets of curiosities
• Country house collections
• Provenance and restitution
• Cultural identity

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Program structure:

• Four terms, three of which are taught.
• Dissertation during the third and fourth terms.
• Part-time option available over two years.
• Modules:
• The Practice of Research
• Provenance
• Collectors, Patrons and Dealers
• Art across Borders: Networks, Collecting, and Conquest
• Architecture, Power and Display: The Town and Country House in Europe
• Objects Interpretation Project
• The Practice of Research
• Provenance

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Assessment

Assessment methods include:

• Essays
• Presentations
• Research projects
• Dissertation
• Class participation

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Assessment criteria:

• Originality
• Critical thinking
• Research skills
• Writing ability
• Presentation skills

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Teaching

The program is taught by a team of specialists from The University of Buckingham and outside experts.

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Teaching methods include:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Class visits to museums and collections
• Study Weeks

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Unique approach:

• Strong focus on developing research skills.
• Emphasis on writing for different audiences.
• First-hand study of objects and collections.
• Country House Study Week and Study Week in Vienna or Florence.

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Faculty:

• Experts in art history, provenance research, and the art market.
• Experienced in teaching and research.
• Committed to providing students with a high-quality learning experience.

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Careers

Graduates of the program can pursue careers in a variety of fields, including:

• Museums
• Art galleries
• Auction houses
• Private collections
• Heritage sector
• Academia
• Research

• Students have the opportunity to participate in workshops with relevant institutions.
• The program is designed to be a stimulating and challenging academic experience.

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• UK: £10,900
• INT: £16,480