Program Overview

Master's Degree (MFA) in Curatorial Studies

Overview

The Master of Fine Arts program in Curatorial Studies is ideal for individuals passionate about art, culture, and organizing exhibitions, with a focus on museum work, gallery management, or cultural heritage preservation. Graduates often pursue careers as curators, exhibition designers, museum directors, or art consultants, developing expertise in art history, collection management, and curatorial practices.

Program Overview

The M.F.A. in Curatorial Studies prepares students for careers in the expanded field of creative curation. As the first three-year hybrid M.F.A. in Curatorial Studies in the United States, this practice-based terminal degree uniquely equips graduates for positions in a wide variety of arts and cultural organizations, as well as teaching positions at the college level. Contemporary curatorial practice has expanded to embrace creative modes of selecting, presenting, and framing a vast array of cultural products, including artworks. Through internships, online courses, and residential seminars, students gain direct experience in exhibition development and design, art event planning, catalogue design and writing, fundraising, grant writing, conducting studio visits, promotion and marketing, community-based programming, and similar activities related to careers in visual arts organizations. With courses in art history, art studio, art education, and arts administration, among others, the M.F.A. offers a dynamic interdisciplinary degree that prepares students to be highly competitive in a diverse job market.

Program Details

• Offered by: College of Fine Arts
• Credit Hours: 60
• Credential: MFA
• Tuition / Credit Hour:
  • Resident: $825.50
  • Non-Resident: $2,060.50

Admission Requirements

Please view the Graduate School's Admission Requirements. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed, those will also apply.

Application Requirements

Please view the application requirements for the Graduate School. If there are Program Specific Requirements listed, those will also apply.

Application Deadlines

• Domestic & International Students:
  • Fall: 01/06/2025

Funding Options

As a graduate student, there are additional opportunities for student funding. Once you are admitted into a degree-bearing graduate program at UK, you can apply for a wide variety of financial assistance, including assistantships and fellowships. These opportunities can be tied to your program’s availability, so you should inquire with your program director about opportunities available within your program.