MA in Contemporary Art

For those who wish to study contemporary art in-depth, this programme emphasises the artwork itself and how we approach and interpret art from 1960 onwards. Analysis of paintings, sculpture, installations, video art, performance, and conceptual works form a regular part of the curriculum, as do topical debates on the theoretical and institutional issues of the art world today.

To emphasise the practical and vocational aspects of contemporary art, students and faculty work together in group visits to London's museums and galleries and extended study visits to European museums, collections, art fairs, biennials, artists' studios, and galleries.

Established in 1991, the programme helps students to develop and discuss their ideas in one-on-one tutorials which are a distinctive aspect of the programme.

Graduates go on to pursue a variety of fascinating careers in the contemporary art market and benefit from the exposure to the international perspective of the programme. Working in commercial contemporary galleries or public museums around the world, opening their own galleries or working as curators, editors or critics, our graduates also keep in touch via the Institute's Alumni network and contribute to the broader contemporary art network here in London and elsewhere.

ACADEMIC YEAR:

SEMESTER 1 September - December, 2010
* Art since 1960
* Issues in contemporary art
* Curating an exhibition in a commercial gallery
* Writing and publishing art criticism
* Research methodology
* Study visit to North of England and Northern Germany

SEMESTER 2 January - June, 2011
* Art since 1990
* The art world as a network
* Art, criticism, theory and literature
* Research seminars and presentations
* Key artists, key exhibitions
* Research methodologies
* Options in contemporary art:
1. Art law and business
2. Global photography today
3. New digital media
* Study visit to European Biennial

SEMESTER 3 June - October, 2011
* Dissertation (MA only).
Students prepare a dissertation under the supervision of their tutor.