Course Description
MA Curating approaches curating as a method that cuts across different practices and spaces - physical, printed, virtual - and is not applied exclusively to the production of gallery or museum exhibitions. Its areas of specialist focus draw on specific areas of expertise represented by staff, research centres, public programmes , special collections and key external partners across the three Graduate School colleges, including the curating of events and public programmes Archives - including those of artists, exhibitions, institutions and situated and socially engaged practices.
What to expect
- Practical skills that will sit alongside critical reflection to help you develop a balanced approach to curating
- Learn curatorial methods, such as exhibition design, concept development, marketing, press releases, audience engagement, artist liaison and budgeting
- Explore current critical debates, staying up to date on issues such as the formation of publics, and the status of artists in collections, as well as objects and their meaning
- The course will help build your confidence in handling a range of materials, such as: moving image, paintings, photographs, prints, drawings, garments, textiles, ceramics and glassware
- Receive support from the curatorial team at Chelsea Space who will provide training within an active and supportive curatorial environment so that you can skilfully engage with the best examples of contemporary practice
Course Content
Unit 1 - Analysis of curatorial practices
This unit is an introduction to your course, the college and the university.
- To have hands on experience of practice-based curating
- To develop your written work in relation to your critical research paper and exhibition reviews
- To develop your analytical skills and knowledge
- To discuss and develop your research
Unit 2 - Methods of curatorial display
This unit will deepen your engagement with collections and archival research alongside curatorial practice.
- To establish connections within museum and curatorial networks to help you progress your research interests
- To gain a critical perspective on the museum, gallery and curatorial contexts, through detailed knowledge of the political and historical background, and stewardship issues related to the collections and archives sector
- To plan and begin to implement your project of self-directed study
Unit 3 - Enacting curatorial strategies
In this unit you will reflect upon current curatorial practice and develop your own professional practice utilising Chelsea Space as a venue.
- To develop a critical understanding of work that challenges existing practice
- To further develop your project of self-directed study
- To analyse and test your project work and ideas through seminars
- To present work in the college postgraduate show
Throughout the 3 units of the course, you will study in the following ways:
- Exhibition studio workshop - practical sessions focusing on exhibition-making
- Curatorial studies - sessions focusing on historical and theoretical framing of curatorial practice
- Collections visits - engagement with museums, events, exhibitions and displays
- Lecture programme - lectures from professors, readers and other invited speakers
During the course, you will have individual and group tutorials developing your skills through the taught sessions alongside the professional practice activity with staff at Chelsea Space. Individual research will be guided to help you make the most of the Special Collections, as well as, library and learning resources across UAL.
Entry Requirements
The standard minimum entry requirements for this course are:
- BA (Hons) degree in a related subject or equivalent academic qualifications
- Personal statement
- Study plan
Entry to this course will also be determined by the quality of your application, looking primarily at your personal statement and study plan.
APEL - Accreditation of Prior (Experiential) Learning
Applicants who do not meet these course entry requirements may still be considered in exceptional cases. The course team will consider each application that demonstrates additional strengths and alternative evidence. This might, for example, be demonstrated by:
- Related academic or work experience
- The quality of the personal statement
- A strong academic or other professional reference
- A combination of these factors
Each application will be considered on its own merit but we cannot guarantee an offer in each case.
English language requirements
All classes are taught in English. If English isn't your first language you must provide evidence at enrolment of the following:
- IELTS level 6.5 or above, with at least 5.5 in reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Assessment Methods
- Critical writing
- Presentations
- Project portfolios
Additional Information
Course dates
Autumn Term:
Monday 28 September - Friday 11 December 2020
Spring Term:
Monday 4 January - Friday 26 March 2021
Summer Term:
Monday 12 April - Friday 10 September 2021
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MA Curating and Collections
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