Global Contemporary Art MA

Course summary

The Global Contemporary Art MA is a practice-led course designed to nurture the professional, critical, and collaborative skills needed to pursue impactful, globally-aware and socially responsible artistic and curatorial practices.

The course recognises that there has been a fundamental shift in the vision and purpose of contemporary art in global and translocal contexts. Informed by the work of the Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (CREAM), the course will enable you to become a mobile and dynamic professional capable of developing artistic and curatorial practices that are sustainable, critical and imaginative responses to major global challenges.

The course has been designed for arts graduates wishing to further develop their practice, or professionals wanting to explore new opportunities for research-led initiatives and engagement with wider audiences. You’ll advance your artistic and curatorial practices through activities that emphasise learning through engagement with real-world scenarios, organisations, platforms and technologies.

You’ll be encouraged to experiment with collaborative and interdisciplinary artistic and curatorial methods. Additionally, you’ll be given opportunities to develop independent or collaborative projects across diverse sites, contexts and platforms, and remain connected with key research and practice themes developed by Westminster School of Arts research platforms and partners. These include sustainable ecosystems, alternative futures, and reclaiming collective identities.

You’ll study the year-long Professional Practice module, which aims to support your progression beyond graduation. The module provides mentorship sessions, career seminars and practical workshops alongside other opportunities.

Learn more about the course and why you should choose to study at Westminster in the Art and Emerging Technologies MA and the Global Contemporary Art MA – Q&A with academic, Elizabeth Allen blog.

Top reasons to study with us

• Fantastic location – You'll enjoy all the benefits of studying at our Harrow Campus, just a 20-minute Tube ride from Central London, a global hub for contemporary art as well as the creative and technology industries
• Study in a creative environment – You’ll have access to course studios and extensive industry-level facilities including the Emerging Media Space, computer labs, green screen and film studios, editing suites, 3D workshops, 2D print and photographic printing and darkroom facilities
• Informed by CREAM – The course has been developed by the Centre for Research and Education in Arts and Media (CREAM). The global network will give you access to professional production and public engagement contexts, from exhibition and performance to online platforms and film screenings
• Choose your own path – Our range of option modules enables you to deepen your knowledge of specific practices, develop flexible approaches and tailor your degree to your interests and chosen practice

This course offers the opportunity to develop projects with external partners. You’ll be well placed to take up graduate roles within a range of professional settings, including policy development, research and development, third sector and artist-based cooperatives. The course concludes with a significant self-directed Master's project which develops your independence, project management skills and development of your portfolio to showcase your practice for future employers.

Depending on your area of creative endeavour – this course acts as a launchpad for careers that reflect changes in the growing global field of contemporary art and its related creative community. From thought leaders to social and eco visionaries leading on sustainable art futures, the course is intended to support independent, cultural and industry-focused graduates who can work on connected local challenges and across global contexts.

The course will prepare you for roles in a variety of areas, including:

• Collaborative, collective or independent artists
• Creative, political or socially minded curators
• Disruptive digital practitioners in creative industries
• Managers of cultural organisations, museums and galleries
• Cultural and arts events producers
• Cultural and social entrepreneurs
• Creative non-fiction film and media practitioners
• Educators, academics and researchers
• Public, arts and cultural policy advisors
• Independent arts administration and advocacy managers
• Managers, archivists and advocates for collections, intangible heritage and socially engaged arts