南加州大学

The Masters in Curatorial Practices and the Public Sphere is an intensive master's-level program in the practice and history of curating studied through the lenses of critical theory, art history and visual culture. During two years of full-time academic study, students explore different modes of curatorial practice combining seminars and professional training.

The Critical Studies curriculum provides in-depth background in histories and theories of contemporary curatorial practices, including exhibitions, performance, film and media arts.

In three consecutive Practicum courses, students conceptualize and curate a project during the first two semesters, then produce a publication or another kind of public interface in the final semester.

Program Highlights

The MA Curatorial Practices and the Public Sphere aims to bring students to a high level of understanding of the history and theory of curatorial practices, with attention paid to questions of how curating activates art in relation to a range of publics. The seminars and the Roski Talks/Graduate Lecture Series address theories and histories of art and performance, and focus on theories of social practice, the public sphere, what constitutes art’s publics, and how curatorial practice can address and engage various different kinds of audience.

The curriculum of the MA is designed to give students extensive experience in devising a final curatorial project through the three-course long Practicum course sequence, and to achieve the noted intellectual and professional goals through seminars in theory and history of art. Some of the course also focuses on aiding students in developing a range of research and writing skills, culminating in a written thesis mentored by a faculty member and thesis committee.

Program Outcomes

The Master of Arts in Curatorial Practices and the Public Sphere provides advanced education on the critical theory and history of art to enable students to program meaningful and compelling exhibits and performance programming. The degree aims to prepare students to organize and present art for public engagement.

OVERALL LEARNING OUTCOMES EXPECTED FOR STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM:

• An ability to ask and answer social questions about the exhibition of art in relation to its publics
• Understanding of critical theory and performance theory
• In-depth knowledge of the history of art, exhibitions, and aesthetics, with special emphasis on contemporary art theory
• Applied skills and practical experience leading to the realization of art exhibitions, performance art programming, and hybrid modes of arts curating
• Through coursework and culminating with a written masters thesis, the ability to develop individual, original research on topics relating to or complementary to curatorial projects