Contemporary Art Theory

This programme encourages a creative, holistic and practical knowledge of this increasingly expanded field, grounding practical schooling in fields such as criticism, art writing and curating, in knowledge of key histories and theories of contemporary art. The programme addresses issues raised by the practices of contemporary art, criticism and curating as a means of encouraging you to contribute both critically and practically.

How will I learn?

Artists think and act. Being contemporary means engaging with multiple perspectives and different ways of learning. Students of contemporary art theory conduct research in relation to a broad range of creative, cultural and historical contexts in ways that are speculative, writerly, philosophical, organisational, social and economic.

You will apply aesthetics, art theory and criticism, art historiography, anthropology, and critical theory to engage with contemporary arts variety of media, technologies, images, artefacts, tactics, texts, cultural contexts and professional practices.

The programme aims to provide you with both an overall level of expertise in recent developments in art practices and related cultural theories and research methods, and a high degree of specialisation within this field, culminating in an original Artistic Research Project. This programme has the following specific aims:

• To undertake a systematic examination of major international art practices now.

• To analyse the major themes within art theory and curatorial studies that are currently informing art practices, institutions and related cultural ecologies.

• To explore some of the principal critical, methodological and theoretical positions from other disciplines informing the current production and interpretation of contemporary art and its organisational contexts.

• To provide you with a set of research methods and critical tools necessary for the advanced analysis and creative organisation of your own artistic research.

• To provide you with a set of competencies, skills and understanding that will enable you either to undertake further academic research or to pursue a range of creative careers.

• To explore some of the principal critical and theoretical positions informing the interpretation of your artistic research and its organisational contexts.

• To provide you with a set of competencies, skills and understanding that will enable you to pursue a rewarding life as an artist, writer, curator or arts professional.

This programme will enable you to develop the creative, organisational and socioeconomic knowledge required for a career in the contemporary art world: as an artist, writer, producer, curator or combination thereof. Our focus on the educational turn ensures that you will be fully prepared to teach studio art and theory in European higher education.

• Attend a pre-application information session
• Research partner institutions
• Read the relevant Exchange Application Guide
• Complete online application
• Peer marking (university-wide applications only)