[artinfo] Call for applications 2019: Curatorial and Critical Studies

[Art & Education]

Two-year Master of Arts program: Curatorial Studies

Application deadline: May 31, 2019

Goethe University Frankfurt
Frankfurt/Main
Germany

<https://interspire.e-flux.com/link.php?M=2690&N=25720&L=173724&F=H>www.kuratierenundkritik.net
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Curatorial and Critical Studies is a two-year 
Master of Arts Program by the Goethe University 
Frankfurt and the Hochschule für Bildende 
Künste-Städelschule in cooperation with Städel 
Museum, Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung, Museum 
MMK für Moderne Kunst, Historisches Museum 
Frankfurt, Weltkulturen Museum and PORTIKUS.

The degree program is internationally unique, 
defined by the close collaboration between the 
university, the art academy and the museums. 
Through innovative learning formats the students 
can combine academic study and research with 
curatorial discourse and professional practice.

The main focus of this Master of Arts program 
Curatorial Studies-Theorie-Geschichte-Kritik is 
the scholarly examination of the complex tasks of 
curating and art criticism, with an emphasis on 
their theoretical and practical application. It 
is the aim of this program to combine an 
object-related approach with theoretical 
expertise. While other programs have primarily 
focused on contemporary art, here the examination 
of curating and art criticism includes earlier 
periods and different fields of cultural studies 
as well.

In a globalized art world, and in response to 
developments within contemporary art, the 
presentation of art and art historical objects 
has become a complex challenge, which 
necessitates the consideration of art historical 
as well as cultural, social, political and 
philosophical aspects. Museums and other art 
institutions have to face the task of rephrasing 
the notion of the public realm. The repercussions 
apply not only to institutions directly involved 
with contemporary art. In fact, the shift is as 
fundamental as to be of concern to the operations 
of traditional art historical, ethnological and 
historical collections.

Program
The Master's study program provides prospective 
curators, exhibition organizers and art critics 
with a theoretical and practical basis for their 
future occupation. Already during their master's 
program, students have the opportunity to combine 
academic expertise with curatorial skills and 
practical knowledge. The Frankfurt program of 
study features a cooperation-unique in Germany-of 
committed university departments, outstanding 
museums and an internationally renowned academy 
of fine arts.

The degree "Master of Arts" (MA) is jointly 
awarded by Goethe-University and the 
Städelschule; respective competencies acquired 
will be certified by a "Diploma supplement". 
Curatorial Studies - Theorie - Geschichte - 
Kritik will give admission to a subject-specific 
doctorate and the program is taught in German and 
English. Proficiency in English is expected.

Annual admission of between 12 and 15 students 
ensures a small and intensive research experience 
in specially arranged seminars and events.

Structure
During the first year, students are in constant 
contact with the cooperating museums. University 
seminars provide an opportunity for the 
participants to extend their expertise. 
Furthermore, criteria and categories of art 
criticism as well as academic principles of art 
theory and aesthetics will be discussed. A course 
module on the history of the museum and 
exhibitions complements the program. A 
two-month-long internship, preferably resulting 
in the collaboration on an exhibition project, 
offers insight into the curatorial departments of 
a museum or exhibition institution. During the 
second and the third semester, each class creates 
a curatorial project in cooperation with 
university lecturers and the museums in 
Frankfurt. It is the students' task to develop 
and realize a project within a given frame. 
Fundamental to the second year is the development 
of the master's thesis, and in-depth work on 
object-related approaches combined with 
theoretical inquiry.

Application requirements
Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree with a 
minimum of 6 semesters in art history, 
archaeology, art education, philosophy, ethnology 
or history. Fine art graduates may also apply. 
International students need a DSH-2 certificate.

Applications must be sent in two copies (in one 
envelope) by May 31 2019 (postmark), and include 
a single-page statement of purpose (SoP), résumé 
(CV) as well as copies of relevant certificates 
to the following address:

Curatorial Studies - Theorie - Geschichte - 
Kritik, Kunstgeschichtliches Institut der 
Goethe-Universität, Senckenberganlage 31, 60325 
Frankfurt

Please also send your application via email (one 
PDF file) to the following address: 
<mailto:kuratierenundkritik at kunst.uni-frankfurt.de>kuratierenundkritik at kunst.uni-frankfurt.de.