Courses / Postgraduate / Contemporary Curating (MA)
Contemporary Curating (MA)
Contemporary Curating (MA) starting September 2022 for 1 year
Explore how to curate a compelling and relevant art exhibition within groups and independently. From curating contemporary performance to handling historic art objects, you'll learn how to apply practical skills to a variety of different art mediums and disciplines.
Our Contemporary Curating course gives you the theoretical, research and practical skills to work as a curator anywhere in the world. You'll get professional experience managing projects in the Winchester Gallery, with unique access to the University's vast network of practising artists, academics and researchers who will inform and inspire your curatorial practice.
By studying this MA in curating you'll have the opportunity to:
curate compelling art exhibitions based on research across disciplines and discourses
develop critical thinking to collate and curate artworks which challenge the audience
understand the current concerns and limitations of contemporary curation and culture
get hands-on experience from practical workshops in object-handling and setting up exhibitions using lighting and tools
attend visits to local and London-based art exhibitions where you'll question and debate different curatorial approaches
Your learning will take place in the picturesque city of Winchester, where you'll join a thriving artist community with direct access to practising artists from Winchester School of Art.
The Winchester Gallery is based at Winchester School of Art and is open to the public. Your involvement in the gallery will give you real professional experience in understanding the practical and logistical requirements of curating.
You'll consider your exhibition's profile, including the theme, whether the location is private, or public, and how your audience interacts with the artwork. Your decisions as a curator will be research-led, referring to theoretical art concepts and critically reflecting on your own practice throughout.
We look at digital curation, the way artwork is stored, collected and archived online, considering benefits and limitations of digital curation in contemporary art.
Sara Roberts is an exhibition curator with experience of working with museums, galleries, historic properties and off-site opportunities, nationally and internationally.
She has worked for the Imperial War Museum, London; Mostyn, Wales; and for three years toured exhibitions internationally for The British Council, including to the São Paulo Bienal and Istanbul Biennial.
She was Consultant Curator for Arts Council of Wales/National Trust Artists' Residencies at Penrhyn Castle 2014-17; and Curator-in-Residence for Projeto Maria Lucia Cattani in Porto Alegre, Brazil, resulting in an exhibition at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, December 2019.
She co-curated the exhibition and research project What Colour is Metal? with Dr Cóilín O' Dubhghaill, with an international cohort of artists using innovative colouration techniques, for Dublin Castle and tour to National Design and Crafts Council, Kilkenny, 2021-22. It will tour to the UK in 2022. She is a cultural producer for the Southampton City of Culture bid for 2025.
This course is based at Winchester.
You'll need a 2:1 degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject.
For mature students, If you don't have a formal qualification, your application will be considered based on previous experience and background in the subject.
We accept other English language tests, find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we'll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning. Your application will be considered on individual merit.
MA Contemporary Curating programme is studied over one year, full-time, or two years, part-time, and comprises a mix of core, compulsory and optional modules.
Semester 1 overview
For the full-time programme, taught modules in Semester 1, Curatorial Histories & Contexts, provides the conceptual underpinnings, critical research perspectives and empirical examples to inform your developing position as a curator.
You'll also study Objects and Methods, which emphasises the social significance of objects, and includes practical sessions on handling and display. You will apply this knowledge immediately in practice.
These are supported by a module in Professional and Academic Skills, which will improve your academic standards and research methods.
You'll study two core modules in Semester 2: Curatorial Challenges and Experiments, and Curator as Practitioner. The former includes research and delivery of exhibition and/or event outcomes in response to a series of external 'prompts' or briefs. These involve group work and individual assessment.
The latter, Curator as Practitioner module, considers the work of the curator in a variety of professional contexts; it examines the shape, interconnections and networks of the wider professional sphere.
You will also have the opportunity to select one optional module from a range offered by WSA. Options are subject to change from year to year. You will receive guidance from the Programme Leader in making your optional module selection.
The independent Dissertation or Final Project is undertaken during the summer on successful completion of Semester 2 modules. The emphasis with assessments is on authenticity, and you will be expected to produce, in turn, different kinds of documentation relevant to the devising and delivery of exhibitions and projects.
You will be supported in your development of credible and convincing proposals for independent curatorial projects, realised through either a written dissertation, or applied and contextualised in practice.
Curator as Practitioner
This module articulates the professional relationships of the contemporary curator, and provides an opportunity for you to develop a clear conceptual postion as a curator. It considers the work of the curator in a variety of professional contexts; it ackn...
Curatorial Challenges and Experiments
This module provides the experience, tools and skills necessary to respond to a range of curatorial challenges, individually, interactively and collectively. It provides a range of opportunity for you to respond to real-world briefs, which will build a po...
Curatorial Histories & Contexts
This module explores a range of historical, social and theoretical contexts for contemporary curatorial practice. It examines critical debates and practices, concepts and experiments, and will equip you with an array of appropriate skills and terminology ...
Dissertation: Final Project
This module is the culmination of your studies on the MA Contemporary Curating programme, affording you the opportunity to demonstrate the theoretical and practical approaches to curation you have developed. Through tutorials and seminars, but primari...
Objects and Methods
This module provides opportunity for the handling and presentation of cultural products, and an understanding of their capacity for value, significance and relationships with other objects and in a range of contexts. It develops a critical approach to iss...
Professional and Academic Skills (Practice)
This module is one of the compulsory modules taken by all students in the Contemporary Curating programme at WSA. This module offers the opportunity to develop your research and academic skills, whilst supporting the development of your future career....
Art/Science/Civic Engagement Project
This module engages you in knowledge exchange projects, using laboratory style interdisciplinary learning to embed the University's Sustainability Strategy within the curriculum, using an art-science-ecology/culture-social impact framework. The module r...
You'll participate in lectures, seminars and you'll complete both independent study and practical group projects throughout the course. You'll be expected to work independently on your final project during summer.
You'll learn through a variety of different activities, including:
managing an art gallery
organising exhibitions
field trips to exhibitions
critical and theoretical writing
communicating with industry professionals
You'll be assessed by a combination of methods, including:
group-organised exhibitions
interim and final project
seminar research projects
Explore course modules for full details of learning and assessment.
You'll need to use the methods, techniques and skills you learn in the taught part of the programme to write a 7,500-word essay.
You'll have a mix of lectures and guided seminars during your first 2 semesters and then work over the summer on a final project.
You could work towards a career in cultural and public policy-making, cultural management or arts-commissioning and funding. Our graduates have gone to get the following jobs:
Working for the Royal Academy and Tate, London
Member of the Diversity Working group at Tate, London
Programme and Project Officer for a-space, Southampton
Engagement Officer at the John Hansard Gallery, Southampton
Exhibition Designer in Shanghai
Education Coordinator at the Camden Arts Centre, London
Volunteer Coordinator at the Royal Society of Sculptors, London
By studying this course, you'll be able to work in the following areas:
public or private galleries
heritage or cultural organisations
international art fairs
arts or culture publications
Our professional experience means we can provide expert careers guidance and support. Through our industry contacts, you may be able to set up an internship or work experience independently.
You'll gain transferable skills that are vital for a growing number of fields and industries. These include:
critical theoretical writing
research across a number of disciplines and discourses
methodological and epistemological skills
The course is also a good grounding for further study at PhD level if you want to develop and academic career.
10% alumni discount
If you're a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master's Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
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