Curating MFA – (M.Sc.)

The programme draws on the international scope of contemporary arts practice at Goldsmiths and in London and instigates debate about the relationship between that practice, current critical discourse and concepts of curating. It is intended for curators and those with related academic and practical experience who wish to achieve professional excellence in their practice, to innovate in the expanding field of curatorial practice.
MFA Curating at Goldsmiths focuses in-depth on aesthetic, social, political and philosophical questions that are brought to bear in any place or at any event in which contemporary art is situated. The programme is designed to provide a practice-led research context for students at any stage of their professional practice. It also enables you to experiment and innovate in the expanded field of curatorial pedagogy, to collaborate on an interdisciplinary basis and extend your and other students´ knowledge through this process.
The programme is divided into two parts - Part One (diploma stage; one year full-time) and Part Two (MA stage; can be taken either full-time [one calendar year] or, where appropriate, part-time [one academic year followed by one calendar year]). Students who successfully complete Part One proceed onto Part Two. You may be able to enter the programme directly onto Part Two if you have relevant curating experience.
In Part One, you are introduced to a series of curatorial concepts and practices through group analysis and guided research. In Part Two, you develop independent curatorial research and practice, working either on their own ideas or with a London-based gallery or institution. The summer term of Part One acts as a transition to Part Two.
Part One
Curatorial Practice
This course is designed to provide support for, give guidance to, and encourage innovation of student-initiated curatorial ideas, their planning and implementation by staff and visiting tutor seminars, student-led seminars and tutorials. The student-directed work on this course leads towards the establishment of your own specific professional practice. Assessment by: Independent Research Project A (IRP-A)
Critical Studies
At this stage of the programme, Critical Studies is designed to develop your critical awareness of critical and conceptual issues in and around contemporary art through lectures and seminars, and to foster your original and innovative contribution of ideas. The course consists of lectures, seminars and review sessions. The lectures and seminars are designed to firstly develop your evaluation skills and secondly your skills for communicating ideas. Assessment by: Critical Studies essay.
Part Two
Curatorial Practice
In Part Two, the Curatorial Practice course provides you with an advanced learning environment in which to progress your professional practice to a level of excellence. Staff and visiting tutors work with individual students to encourage originality and innovation in the field of curating through the critical examination of your and others´ practice.
In Part Two, presentation of the Independent Research Project B is expected to be of an advanced standard in keeping with the professional presentation of a project in public. In this way, Curatorial Practice in Part Two differs from Part One as you are now expected to achieve advanced standards of learning and are encouraged to take responsibility for your ideas with a sophisticated understanding of your professional pathway. Assessment by: Independent Research Project B (IRP-B).
Critical Studies
The curriculum for Critical Studies at this stage of the programme is much the same as for Part One. However, all elements of the Critical Studies course in Part Two are designed to be more demanding on your practical and critical understanding of advanced concepts of contemporary curating. In Part Two of the programme, you are expected to work more independently and, where appropriate, to integrate the skills they you attained in Part One more fully in your written work. Assessment by: Catalogue Essay.
Part One and Part Two
Review sessions
You are expected to produce a written review of exhibitions or events that you have attended each month in a format suitable to the content of the work (for instance, a summary of a number of different exhibitions or a text that focuses on a particular theme). These are discussed in a group review session with a tutor. These sessions aim to
produce publishable material.