Curating, Managing and Mediating Art

The application period for Master’s Degree Programmes has ended 15 Feb 2012. Next application period will start at the beginning of 2013.

Who can apply
Graduates of the following degrees are eligible to apply:

• Bachelor’s degree from a suitable field (e.g. art education, art history, museology or culture) from any university
• Bachelor’s degree in applied or fine arts
• Applicable Bachelor’s degree from a university of applied sciences

Applicants are also expected to have good knowledge or experience of contemporary art.

Description of the Degree Programme
The multidisciplinary Master’s degree programme comprises theory, practical workshops, projects and a thesis. Theoretical studies relate to work and operations in the field of contemporary art. The programme concentrates especially on issues related to the presentation and reception of art, and its content is actively developed in line with the changing demands of the field.

Objectives of the Programme
The purpose of the programme is to develop comprehensive and innovative professional expertise in curating, managing and mediating art, and it binds especially curating and mediating, i.e. working with audiences, into a tight package. Graduates are art field professionals who can creatively use their skills and knowledge in various tasks and organizations within the contemporary art scene.

Structure of the Programme
The two-year programme consists of 120 ECTS composed of shared studies, optional studies and specialisation studies. Each student’s studies are based on a personal study plan, which can also include studies completed elsewhere (during the degree or previously), optional art studies or other modules from Aalto University.

Employment Prospects
Graduates mainly find employment with diverse art organisations, such as art museums, galleries, artists’ associations, art and culture projects or initiatives, and foundations or trust funds. Graduates have the skills for working independently and creating new operating models for the field.

Selection Process 2012

  

Required Application Documents
See Required Application Documents.

How to Apply
Read the application instructions carefully: How to Apply.

Evaluation Criteria in Applicant Selection
Selection is based 1) on the applicants’ educational backgrounds, other studies and orientation in the field. Other elements are 2) an essay reflecting the applicants’ motivation and knowledge, 3) the portfolio and 4) an interview, for the applicants selected to the second phase of the process. All four sections are evaluated on scale 1-5. Particular attention is paid to the applicants’ interest in exhibitions, art education and phenomena in contemporary art. Skills are required in producing, interpreting and assessing text. Another criterion is the applicants’ interaction skills.

Essay Instructions
Make a plan for an imaginary project related to curating, mediating or managing art. Describe and justify the theme of the project, including its content-related, pedagogical and artistic objectives, as well as its target audience and location of implementation. The plan should be a maximum of 700 words in length.

The essay is rated on a scale of 1-5. Evaluation focuses particularly on the project plan and how interesting and viable its reasoning is.

Portfolio Instructions
The portfolio must contain the following:

• your CV (max 2xA4)
• table of contents
• motivation letter, briefly explaining why you are applying to the CuMMA and how your portfolio reflects your orientation towards the field
• your name and address and the date on the front cover
• max. size A4, all of the content should be provided in English

Include written and visual work samples such as the following:

1. Curating
   Give one to three examples of your experience in curating art projects. Explain your role in each project and the content-related objectives of your work. Evaluate the success of the project and the areas of development in your work.
2. Managing and Mediating Art
   Present up to three examples of projects related to exhibition or museum activities, in whose planning and implementation you have participated. Explain the nature of your contribution and the contents and objectives of each project.
3. Approach towards the Art World
   You can supplement your portfolio for example by making evaluations of current exhibitions from the point of view of curating, managing and mediating art. These texts (1-3) should be a maximum of 200 words in length. You can also include art reviews or other publications you have made in relation to the art world (max. three examples) or otherwise explain your orientation in the field.

Also see general portfolio instructions.

Portfolios are rated on a scale of 1-5. Particular attention is paid to the vision indicated in curating, managing and mediating art, and to the overall impression provided by the portfolio.

News and events

CuMMA and its partners are organizing a conference called It's All Mediating in the spring of 2012. You can find more information on the conference from the Finnish Association for Museum Education website.