Criticism, Communication and Curation: Arts and Design

Content

This pioneering degree course is based in one of the world's pre-eminent colleges of art and design. It offers a unique opportunity to study and become involved with the creative and cultural industries and practices which are among the biggest employment sectors and sources of job growth. The increasing demand for visual communication in all of its manifestations, rapid developments in technology and expanding public interest in the visual arts, performance, media and the environment all contribute to the demand for education in disciplines associated with these activities.

The course is inter- and multi-disciplinary. You will be introduced to different disciplines, approaches and points of view across contemporary culture. This reflects both the flexibility of the boundaries between professional disciplines and the range of practice-based courses in Central Saint Martins itself: fashion, textiles and jewellery; the fine arts, theatre design, acting and directing; graphic and product design; ceramics, architecture and animation. Central Saint Martins' position at the forefront of art, design and performance, and its challenging research profile provides a unique environment for the course.

Structure

The course runs for 90 weeks full time over three years, and is divided into three Levels (or Stages), each lasting 30 weeks.

• Stage 1 - Breadth and Knowledge
• Stage 2 - Depth, Complexity and Challenge
• Stage 3 - Independence

Stage 1

During the first stage you will study historical and contemporary approaches to London's culture from 1800 to the present. You will also investigate art, technology and power since the Industrial Revolution.

Theory and practice: criticism, curation, communication - This study consists of lectures, seminars, visits, and research that explore the history, theory and public dissemination of modern and contemporary visual and material culture from the perspective of the early 21st century. Your ideas will be put into practice with theoretical and live projects incorporating a photographic element.

Introduction to journalistic writing provides practice in key skills for criticism and communication.

Stage 2

In the second stage you will work in collaboration with staff and students on the practice-based degree courses (for example observing practice at first hand or working on a joint project but towards different outcomes), and with contemporary galleries and museums in London, private and public art institutions, specialist archives and media offices. The importance of 'live' projects reflects the recognition that such active learning encourages you to develop both the capacity for independent learning and the ability to work with others. These projects will examine themes, which are central to current debates and fashions in the arts.

Stage 3

The third stage will enable you to develop your independence. The dissertation offers the opportunity for focussed research and an extended piece of academic writing. The final major project provides the opportunity for you to demonstrate different ways of writing and presenting material appropriate for the content (for example journalistic writing, exhibition reviews, catalogue entries, exhibition planning, outlines for television or radio programmes, educational material for school-children).