History of Art with Curating

Program Overview

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The MA History of Art with Curating at Birkbeck, University of London combines academic study with practical experience, equipping students with the knowledge and skills for careers in the museum sector. Through hands-on work placements, gallery visits, and an international study trip, students gain a deep understanding of curatorial practices and the diverse working environments of museums and galleries. The program offers flexible learning options, including evening study and online learning, allowing students to balance their studies with other commitments.

Program Outline

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Degree Overview: The MA History of Art with Curating is designed for individuals who wish to combine practical curatorial skills with a deep understanding of art history.

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Objectives:

• Equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills for working in the museum sector.
• Develop a thorough understanding of key issues and skills involved in curating practices.
• Offer insights into the diverse working practices of various museums and galleries.

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Program Description:

This program combines rigorous academic study with hands-on experience through:

• A week-long intensive session where students meet curators and collections managers, engage in documentation, cataloging, and loan requests.
• An optional 10-week supervised work placement at a museum, gallery, or archive (previous placements include Tate, British Museum, Whitechapel Gallery, and Horniman Museum).
• Regular gallery and museum visits.
• An exciting study trip abroad every spring.

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Other:

• Part of Birkbeck Flexible Master's UK, offering options for on-campus, online, or flexible learning.
• Evening study available for part-time students.
• The program is fully approved by the University of London.

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Outline:

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Content:

• Explores the history of art from diverse perspectives, including architecture, photography, and curating.
• Examines the theoretical frameworks underpinning contemporary curatorial practices.
• Provides practical experience in museum studies through research exercise, work placement opportunities, and dissertation research.

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Structure:

• Consists of three compulsory modules (30 credits each), one optional module (30 credits), and a 15,000-word dissertation (60 credits).
• Students can graduate with a Postgraduate Diploma if they choose not to complete the dissertation, or a Postgraduate Certificate if they only complete the compulsory modules.

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Course Schedule:

• Available in full-time (one year) and part-time (two years) options.
• Full-time students attend one to two evenings a week, plus one week of daytime classes, from October to July.
• Part-time students attend one to two evenings a week, from October to July.

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Individual Modules:

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Compulsory Modules:

• Curating: Explores the theoretical and practical aspects of curating, including exhibition development, collection management, and audience engagement.
• Research Exercise: Develops research skills through a focused project on a chosen topic in art history or curating.

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Optional Modules (examples):

• Art and Devotion in Fifteenth-Century Italy: Examines the role of art in religious practice and belief during the Italian Renaissance.
• Art and Identity: 'Race', Ideology, Culture: Explores the complex relationships between art, identity, and social and political forces.
• Art in the Age of Giotto: evidence and interpretation: Investigates the artistic, social, and cultural context of Giotto's work and its impact on subsequent art.
• Art Museums in a Global Age: Analyzes the role and function of art museums in the contemporary world, considering issues of globalization, diversity, and accessibility.
• Curating Difficult Histories: Museums, Exhibitions, Art Activism: Examines the challenges and opportunities of curating exhibitions that address difficult or controversial histories.
• Fashioning the Body: Explores the representation of the human body in fashion and its relationship to social, cultural, and political contexts.
• Gender, Modernity and the City: Investigates the intersections of gender, modernity, and urban space in visual culture.
• Inventing the Victorians: Examines the construction of Victorian identity through visual culture and its ongoing legacy.
• Museum Cultures Work Placement: Provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in a museum or gallery setting.
• Museum Experiments: Explores innovative and experimental approaches to museum display and interpretation.
• The Art of Persuasion: Religious Imagery and the Catholic Reformation: Analyzes the role of religious imagery in shaping the Catholic Reformation.

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Assessment:

• Assessment methods vary depending on the chosen modules and can include essays, presentations, coursework, research projects, and examinations.
• The dissertation is assessed based on its originality, research findings, critical analysis, and written communication.

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Teaching:

• Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, guest speakers, student presentations, research presentations by outside speakers, and work placement opportunities.
• Key teaching staff include experts in art history, curating, and museum studies.
• The program utilizes innovative and engaging teaching approaches to create an interactive and stimulating learning environment.

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Careers:

• Graduates can pursue careers in various creative arts, media, and education sectors, including:
• Museum/Gallery Curator
• Arts Administrator
• Advertising Account Executive
• Community Arts Worker
• Multimedia Specialist
• Higher Education Lecturer

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Other:

• The program is designed to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge for a successful career in the museum and gallery sector.
• Graduates benefit from access to Birkbeck's Careers and Enterprise service for ongoing career support and guidance.
• The program's flexible learning options allow students to balance their studies with other commitments.

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Academic year 2024–25, starting October 2024 Part-time home students: £5,400 per year Full-time home students: £10,800 per year Part-time international students: £9,915 per year Full-time international students: £19,830 per year