Master of Arts in History of Arts - Contemporary

The study of modern and contemporary art at Penn is expansive in geographic range and media. Supported by core faculty members, teaching areas focus on European, American (including some Latin and South American), East Asian, and South Asian painting, sculpture, architecture, urbanism, prints, time-based art, photography, popular culture, decorative arts, cinema and new media. Established relationships with the Institute of Contemporary Art on Penn's campus and the Philadelphia Museum of Art offer several students per year the opportunity to give spotlight lectures. Graduate students may also serve in the Print Room of the PMA as Zigrosser Fellows. Many other institutions frequently collaborate with the department, including the Arthur Ross Gallery at Penn, the Slought Foundation, International House, Scribe Video Center, and the Foundation for Self-Taught Artists, offering students the chance to organize exhibitions and serve as research fellows or curatorial interns. Graduate students may earn Certificates in Cinema Studies, or in Gender, Sexuality, and Gender, Sexuality and Women's Studies while fulfilling the requirements for the History of Art Ph.D.

The committee reviews each application very carefully and weighs all aspects of a candidate's preparation for graduate study. The primary elements of the application include: academic transcript, (3) letters of recommendations, TOEFL scores for international students, personal statement (1000 word maximum), and writing sample (30 double-spaced pages maximum, including images). All offer insights into a student's past achievements and prospects for future development. It is normally expected that students have a solid background in art history, but it is not necessary to have majored in art history. In addition, applicants should demonstrate good proficiency in at least one foreign language. Two foreign languages will be required of all Ph.D and MA students before they advance to candidacy. GRE Test are no longer required for admissions.