Master of Arts in Art History (Critical Curatorial Studies)

Critical and Curatorial Studies (CCST) is an emerging field of scholarship and training that looks directly at the roles and responsibilities of curators and critics as mediators between objects, institutions, experiences, individuals and groups. While this involves investigating and negotiating a number of disciplinary fields, from ethnography to aesthetics, organizational behaviour to cultural studies, the main focus is on contemporary conditions of display and understanding. CCST students take three required graduate seminars that engage with historical frameworks and contemporary contextual issues within curatorial practice, and case studies in exhibitions and institutions. These popular seminars are open to other graduate students as well and foster interesting dialogues on issues surrounding curation. CCST students supplement their knowledge with Art History courses and are given the opportunity to take additional credits outside the department as well. They are also challenged to achieve reading knowledge of a language other than English for their language requirement, along with the MA in Art History and PhD students.

Applicants for the MA in Critical and Curatorial Studies normally have preparation in the discipline equivalent to the undergraduate major in art history at UBC: a minimum of ten courses (equaling 30 credits) in art history at the third and fourth-year levels. It is recommended that these courses represent a significant range of historical periods and/or geographical areas. An A grade must have been earned in at least 12 credits, with a high B standing in the remainder, for an overall average of not less than B+.

In addition, applicants must also satisfy the Faculty of Graduate Studies minimum admission requirements: an honours or bachelor’s degree requiring four years of study with a B+ average in third- and fourth-year-level coursework. From Quebec, a three-year bachelor’s degree is acceptable provided the Diplome d’Etudes Collegiales (D.E.C.) has been previously awarded.

English Language Proficiency Requirement

TOEFL (IBT) OVERALL SCORE REQUIREMENT

100
ibT Reading 22
ibT Writing 21
ibT Listening 22
ibT Speaking 21

IELTS OVERALL SCORE REQUIREMENT

7.0
IELTS Reading 6.5
IELTS Writing 6.5
IELTS Listening 6.5
IELTS Speaking 6.5