MRes Art: Exhibition Studies

MRes Art is made up of three specialist pathways: Theory and Philosophy; Moving Image; and Exhibition Studies. MRes Art uses research and writing to develop modes of questioning, speculative thinking and critical evaluation. Drawing upon a wealth of scholarly expertise from the staff team, visiting lecturers and practitioners, the course considers the relationship of contemporary art research to wider aesthetic, cultural and socio-political issues.  

There are opportunities for students on each pathway to come together for shared taught components. You will also be encouraged to develop student-led activities. In the past, our students have collaborated on research events and publications, as well as the annualTate Exchange programme at Tate Modern.

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies draws on the pioneering Exhibition Histories publication series produced by Afterall. On this pathway, you will be encouraged to think of the exhibition as an entry point to the study of contemporary art. You will consider not just the selection of art, the handling of time and space or platform and modes of address, but also wider social implications of the “being in public” of artworks.

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies takes exhibitions to mean not just conventional gallery or museum shows. Instead, it considers all kinds of artistic presentations, presence and engagement, manifestos, publications, festivals and other formats through which art encounters its publics. You will research, document and critically analyse these forms. This will allow you to work on new narratives which go beyond the art-historical in order to account for the intricacies of these moments of exchange.

On this pathway, you will engage with recent debates about modern and contemporary art in the context of public presentations of art. You will also explore key concepts and critical theories in a variety of fields. The pathway asks two core questions: can we tell a different story of modern and contemporary art through its exhibitions? And, what do the histories of exhibitions tell us about the wider cultural field in which artworks are produced and made public? The aim is to develop your ability to interpret, analyse and critique a range of methods in exhibition-making. You will develop visual analysis skills through the examination of works of art as presented in exhibitions of varying form.

Our Postgraduate Art Programme offers valuable opportunities to build transferable professional knowledge and skills. The exchange of perspectives with others through shared units, reading groups and debates helps establish stimulating and productive networks.

The focus on proposing and developing a major independent programme of study is supported by a shared professional practice lecture series featuring guest speakers plus opportunities to attend symposia and critique work in progress across subject areas. The Postgraduate Art Programme has wide-ranging links with professional organisations, collections and galleries, and includes opportunities for interaction and networking according to your personal career direction.

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies is unique in its relationship with Afterall, the high-profile international art publishers based at CSM. MRes Art: Exhibition Studies is spearheaded by academic expertise within the Afterall team and benefits from the professional international networking opportunities created by publishing projects. Publications include the Afterall journal and the 'Exhibition Histories' series of books - these can provide opportunities for student involvement in professional practice as well as relevant contacts for individual research and career development.

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies equips you to understand the history of contemporary art practice through a new prism - one that reflects your practice as writer, artist or curator. You'll be able to analyse the evolution and influence of the curator and the institution in contemporary art practice, to examine critically strategies of display (both from an artistic and curatorial perspective), and to articulate thought critically.

MRes Art: Exhibition Studies graduates will be particularly well qualified to engage in professional research and publication activities and to initiate postgraduate research projects for MPhil or PhD. Career development opportunities exist in a wide range of roles and directions within contemporary arts institutions, businesses, museums and collections, both in London and internationally.