MA Curating Cultures

The MA Curating Cultures programme provides an unrivalled opportunity to explore methods and approaches in the curating of the arts of Asia and Africa as well as develop practical curatorial skills in this area.

It is particularly suitable for those who wish to develop in the arts sector or cultural industries whether that be in the context of museums, galleries, festivals, online platforms, biennales, and other display contexts. It will also appeal to practicing professionals in these areas who are interested in strengthening their knowledge and critical outlook.

Themes and issues addressed include: histories and ideologies of curating and exhibitions, theories of collecting, interpreting objects, contemporary issues and debates regarding postmodernism, post-colonialism, repatriation and decolonisation, curating and writing of exhibition texts and interpretation.

Additionally, the MA Curating Cultures programme provides an excellent postgraduate foundation for students interested in pursuing PhD research in the fields of curating and/or Art History/Archaeology of Asia and Africa in general.

Why study MA Curating Cultures at SOAS?

• We are ranked 15th in the UK for Arts and Humanities (QS World University Rankings 2023)
• SOAS is ranked 6th in the UK for employability (QS World University Rankings 2023)
• We partner with the British Council to offer a School of Arts student an internship at the Venice Biennale
• We partner with the Chu Te-Chun Foundation to offer a paid internship at the Venice Biennale
• We offer exclusive School of Arts-led internships at the Rietberg Museum, Zurich (2 places available)

Students in the School of Arts develop a ​​critical and theoretically informed approach to global arts and culture. In addition to an intercultural awareness and practical expertise, graduates gain a wide portfolio of transferable skills which are especially sought after in the creative and cultural industries.

Recent School of Arts graduates have been hired by:

• Christie’s
• Christine Park Gallery
• Crisis
• Design Museum
• Hong Kong Museum Of Art
• India Foundation For The Arts
• Japanese Gallery
• Museum of East Asian Art
• Music in Detention
• National Gallery
• Pan Arts
• People Projects Culture & Change
• Roundhouse Trust
• Somerset House Trust
• Songlines Magazine
• Sotheby's
• South Asian Art UK
• Stratford Circus Arts Centre
• Taiwan Embassy
• The Alliance for Global Education
• The British Embassy
• The National Museum Of Korea
• The Royal Collection
• Victoria and Albert Museum

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