Program Overview
The MA Exhibition Studies program at Liverpool School of Art and Design focuses on exhibition formats and histories since 1850. Through project-based learning, students engage in research, studio practice, and collaborations with renowned arts organizations. The program provides theoretical and practical knowledge of exhibition curation and prepares graduates for careers in cultural institutions.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Exhibition Studies engages with exhibition formats, through a theoretical and practical understanding of what constitutes an exhibition in the 21st century. The program focuses on exhibition histories from 1850 onwards and allows students to apply their own expertise, as well as studio practice, to develop research topics through project-based learning. Students can study full-time over one year or part-time over two years. The program is supported by internationally renowned arts organizations, including Liverpool Biennial, Tate Liverpool, FACT, RIBA North and Aarhus University, Denmark. Students benefit from the degree's links to the Exhibition Research Lab and a range of international collaborations and partnerships developed by staff. The program explores best practice and the very latest in innovative forms of exhibition and curatorial practices. Students have access to state-of-the-art workspaces and facilities within the modern, purpose-built and RIBA award-winning John Lennon Art and Design Building. The program considers the history and practice of exhibition culture, specifically the mediation of curatorial projects in galleries and museums, biennials and other survey exhibitions. Students are based in the School of Art and Design, the oldest art school in the UK outside of London.
Outline:
The program is made up of a number of core modules which are part of the course framework. Some programmes also have optional modules that can be selected to enhance your learning in certain areas and many feature a dissertation, extended report or research project to demonstrate your advanced learning.
Core Modules:
- Major Project (Exhibition Studies) - 60 credits: This module encourages students to engage in active learning and to reflect on and identify further intellectual development and training needs. It enables students to conduct an extended independent research project, identify appropriate topics and research questions, analyze and structure research material, develop cogent arguments, sustain an enquiry over a lengthy period of time and organize a lengthy piece of writing.
- Research and Practice 1 - 30 credits: This module is shared by all students studying on taught postgraduate programmes at Liverpool School of Art and Design and allows students to collaborate across programmes. A series of lectures, seminars, tutorials and visits will introduce students to current and emerging practice in relation to a diverse range of historical, theoretical and critical principles. Guest lecturers will expose students to areas of collaboration. Seminars and tutorials will require students to share, discuss and evaluate their ideas and practice with others.
- Studio Practice (Exhibition Studies) - 30 credits: Studio Practice is a subject specific module, allowing for the understanding of practice and research methodologies relevant to Exhibition Studies. It provides an opportunity to share, investigate and contextualise experiences of exhibition making and aims to introduce students to the professional practice of exhibition making, develop awareness of the core practices, models, and challenges of exhibition making, provide students with technical and critical skills and methodologies relevant to the enhancement of their practice, and analyze and critically evaluate exhibitionary practices, histories and strategies through specific exhibition case studies.
- Research and Practice 2 (Exhibition Studies) - 30 credits: Significant historic exhibitions, together with key readings, will form the core syllabus of Research & Practice 2 (Exhibition Studies). It aims to deepen the practice of exhibition research and introduce the histories and practices of exhibition-making.
- Transdisciplinary Practice - 30 credits: This module intends to promote in-depth investigation into contemporary creative practices and provide, through the possibilities of transdisciplinary participation in live Institute of Art and Technology research projects, an understanding of the social, cultural and economic environment of the city. Within the module, students will facilitate an engagement with cultural and regulatory institutions and organisations to enrich their experience of the professional environment of contemporary urban art and design. Through key Institute of Art and Technology projects and partnerships, a range of transdisciplinary projects which challenge the notion of the interdisciplinary practice within the context of contemporary art & design, and which enable students to propose, plan, organise, publish and promote their work and research within the context of The Institute of Art and Design.
Assessment:
Students will be assessed by coursework, written essays, reports, oral presentations, projects and evaluations. The major project will comprise a written dissertation or practical project (thesis exhibition) and a written report. In most modules, more than one piece of assessment is required. Programme assessment seeks to replicate professional curatorial and exhibition practice.
Teaching:
The program is underpinned by the work of the Exhibition Research Lab. It draws on the internationally distinguished expertise of staff and visiting staff engaged in theoretical and applied research in the field of exhibitions studies and curating. There is also collaboration with key cultural local and national institutions.
Careers:
Graduates of our MA Exhibition Studies have gone on to work for major cultural institutions, including The Henry Moore Institute (Leeds), British Music Experience (Liverpool), and National Museums Liverpool.
Other:
The development of the students throughout the year is incredible, you can really see how much the course enriches their knowledge of the subject, in particular when they take on an area of specialism and use this for their final project. One of the most delightful aspects is seeing the students perform well when they start working in museums and galleries, then I feel like I've prepared them well for the cultural sector.
- Home fee: £8,965
- International full-time per year: £17,750
- Additional costs include: accommodation and living expenditure, books, printing, photocopying and stationery, PC/laptop, mobile phone/tablet, field trips (travel and activity costs), placements (travel expenses and living costs), student visas (international students only), study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunizations), academic conferences (travel costs), professional-body membership, graduation (gown hire etc)
