Art Curating
Coursework
The Master of Art Curating is designed to train the art curators and gallery professionals of tomorrow.
Through a structured program of core and elective units, students gain a sophisticated understanding of the full range of cultural, theoretical, social, political and economic issues underlying the art gallery and museum system. A key component is the project-based internships supervised by industry professionals in local, national and international visual arts organisations, which provide invaluable workplace experience, training and networking opportunities. The degree also offers a pathway to research degrees through a supervised dissertation on a specialist subject area.
The degree is taught in collaboration with leading art institutions and art spaces, allowing students who wish to specialise in contemporary art, art of the past, or design objects, unique access to practising artists and exhibition spaces. Students will be trained to work as art curators, educators, collection managers, administrators, critics, dealers and valuers. The Master of Art Curating allows those already working in the sector – art teachers, curators, librarians, administrators, writers and gallery workers – to develop their career prospects, and also serves as a career change option for those new to the field.
Awards and requirements
Please refer to the course rules in this handbook for information on the specific admission requirements for different coursework award courses.
Master of Art Curating
Candidates for the Master of Art Curating must complete 72 credit points including:
- a minimum of 18 credit points of core units of study
- a minimum of 12 credit points of selective units of study
- a minimum of 6 credit points of capstone unit of study
- a maximum of 36 credit points of elective units of study
Graduate Diploma in Art Curating
Candidates for the Graduate Diploma in Art Curating must complete 48 credit points including:
- a minimum of 12 credit points of core units of study
- a minimum of 18 credit points of selective units of study
- a maximum of 18 credit points of elective units of study
Graduate Certificate in Art Curating
Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Art Curating must complete 24 credit points including:
- a minimum of 6 credit points of core units of study
- a minimum of 6 credits points of selective units of study
- a maximum of 12 credit points of elective units of study
Learning outcomes
| No. | Learning outcome |
|---|---|
| 1 | Understand and deploy key skills and aptitudes of the curatorial profession and its related professions in both commercial and public institutions. |
| 2 | Demonstrate specific disciplinary knowledge in art history including understanding of materials, techniques and systems of interpretation. |
| 3 | Understand, at an advanced level, the history and theory of museums and galleries as institutions, and the future direction of the curatorial field. |
| 4 | Engage with real museum exhibition and curatorial spaces, and with objects in situ, in confident and critical ways. |
| 5 | Understand and appreciate the working conditions and constraints of arts professionals and engage with real world events and practices. |
| 6 | Demonstrate high-level collaborative and leadership skills through self-directed and supervised project-based assessments. |
| 7 | Demonstrate advanced research skills through sustained research-oriented writing projects in visual arts. |
Reduced volume of learning (RVL)
Candidates for the Master program who have completed previous study in a relevant discipline may be eligible for a reduction in the requirements in accordance with the table below.
| Level of prior learning | Full-time duration | Credit points to complete |
|---|---|---|
| AQF Level 7 eg. a bachelor's degree in the Humanities, Social Sciences or Law | 1.5 years | 72 |
| Relevant professional experience equivalent to a Graduate Certificate | 1 year | 48 |
| AQF Level 8 eg. Honours in a relevant discipline | 1 year | 48 |
Contacts and further information:
Contact details can be found on these websites:
Department of Art History
School of Literature, Art and Media