Art History and Museum Curating MA

Program Overview

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The Art History and Museum Curating MA equips students with the skills to work in museums and galleries. It offers practical experience through museum placements and develops students' critical understanding of art institutions and the practice of curating. The program combines core modules with optional modules, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests. Upon completion, graduates are well-prepared for careers in the cultural sector, including roles as curators, exhibition developers, and collections managers.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

This program, the Art History and Museum Curating MA, is a one-year full-time or two-year part-time course designed to equip students with the skills necessary to enter the exciting world of museums, galleries, and the cultural heritage sector. The program emphasizes practical experience, providing students with the opportunity to work closely with museum staff and address live issues facing the sector.

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Objectives:

The program aims to:

• Develop a critical understanding of the history, theory, and politics of art institutions.
• Provide a framework for the practice of curating.
• Equip students with practical skills in museum research, object handling, and exhibition design.
• Foster professional development through real-world experience in museum settings.

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Outline:

The program is structured around a combination of core modules and optional modules, allowing students to tailor their studies to their interests.

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Core Modules:

• Art History Research Seminar: This module provides a forum for students to engage in critical discussion and analysis of current research in art history.
• Art History Research Skills and Methods: This module equips students with the necessary research skills and methods for conducting independent research in art history.
• Critical Issues in Art History and Curating: This module explores key theoretical and practical issues in art history and museum curating, examining the role of museums in society and the challenges they face.
• Museum Skills II: Contexts and Display: This module focuses on the theoretical and practical aspects of museum display, exploring the relationship between objects, contexts, and audiences.
• Professional Experience and Dissertation: This module provides students with the opportunity to undertake a professional placement in a museum or gallery, culminating in the production of a dissertation that reflects their research and experience.

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Optional Modules:

Students can choose from a range of optional modules to broaden their horizons and specialize in areas of interest. Some examples of optional modules include:

• Art's Queer Stories
• Body and Society: Representing Women
• Instrumental Aesthetics: Contemporary Art, Politics and Visual Culture
• Living and Dying, Medieval to Renaissance
• Race, Photography, Archives

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Assessment:

The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Essays
• Research papers
• Presentations
• Museum projects
• Dissertation

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Teaching:

The program employs a range of teaching methods, including:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Museum visits
• Practical exercises
The program is taught by a team of experienced academics who are active researchers and practitioners in the field of art history and museum curating.

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Careers:

Upon completion of the program, graduates are well-prepared for careers in:

• Museums
• Galleries
• Heritage organizations
• The cultural sector more broadly
The program provides students with the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to pursue a variety of roles, including:
• Curator
• Exhibition developer
• Collections manager
• Research assistant
• Education officer

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Other:

The program includes a unique opportunity for students to participate in a professional placement in one of the following museums:

• Charleston
• Ditchling Museum of Art and Craft
• The British Museum
• The Towner Eastbourne
These placements provide students with invaluable experience working on real-world projects and addressing pressing issues facing the museum sector.

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Tuition fees are as follows: Home students: £11,650 per year for full-time students Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: £11,650 per year for full-time students International students: £24,000 per year for full-time students