Master of Art Curatorship (Coursework and Minor Thesis)

The coursework masters provides specialist training and a professional qualification for graduates who are working, or seeking to work in the field, and may also be taken for general interest. This course does not necessarily lead to higher degree study, however high achieving students who complete the thesis option may qualify for entry to a masters by research or PhD.

Students who complete the masters will have a good understanding of:

• the role of the visual arts in Australia as reflected by professional networks, funding bodies, and government departments/agencies at national, state and local level;
• the changing role of art museums/galleries in society and the history of collecting;
• the current discourse associated with issues of access, education and funding within art museums and cultural institutions;
• the organisational structure of a collecting institution and the various responsibilities and tasks of its personnel;
• art conservation theory and practice and its role in storage, transportation, display and interpretation of art objects;
• the principles and procedures of cataloguing and presenting art objects in an art museum.
• Students will also have acquired advanced skills in researching and writing on art objects.

Duration: 2 year full-time / up to 4 years part-time

• four compulsory subjects (62.5 points)
• one curatorial elective subject (12.5 points)
• 125 points of elective subjects (125 points)

Or if choosing the thesis option:

• four compulsory subjects (62.5 points)
• one curatorial elective subject (12.5 points)
• 87.5 points of electives (87.5 points)
• completion of thesis at level 500 (37.5 points)

Total 200 points - subjects are 12.5 points each, unless indicated otherwise.

Duration: 1 year full-time / up to 2 years part-time

• four compulsory subjects (62.5 points)
• one curatorial elective subject (12.5 points)
• two electives (25 points)

Total 100 points - subjects are 12.5 points each, unless indicated otherwise.

Compulsory subjects

Curatorial elective subjects

Other Elective subjects

Thesis Electiive

For the 200 point program
• an undergraduate degree with at least 50 credit points in Art History at second year level or above with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subject, or
equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree and at least one year of documented relevant work experience, or equivalent.

For the 100 point program
• an honours degree or a postgraduate diploma in Art History or a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) or equivalent; or
• an undergraduate degree in a cognate discipline with a grade average of at least H2B (70%) in the relevant subjects and 2 years of full time documented relevant work experience, or equivalent.

2. The Selection Committee may conduct interviews or tests and may call for referee reports and employer references to elucidate any of the matters referred to above.

Holders of an undergraduate degree with at least one year of relevant professional experience or training in public or commercial museums or galleries may be eligible to enter a 150-point program of study, depending on the nature and extent of their previous professional experience or training. Applicants seeking exemption on these grounds must provide a Curriculum Vitae (CV) for assessment with their application.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability