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Master of Art Curatorship

The information on this page applies to future students. Current students should refer to their faculty handbooks for course information.

The Master of Art Curatorship offers you a sophisticated awareness of the range of challenging cultural, theoretical, social, political and economic issues confronting gallery curators. A highly valued aspect of the course is the project-based internships supervised by industry professionals in local, national and international visual arts organisations which provide invaluable workplace experience, training and networking opportunities.

You will be trained to work as an art curator, educator, collection manager, administrator, critic, dealer and valuer. The course allows those already working in the sector, art teachers, advisors, curators, librarians, administrators, writers and gallery workers, to further develop their career prospects, while also serving as a career change option for those new to the field.

The course includes studies in art and curatorship (taught at the Art Gallery of New South Wales), the art museum: past, present, future, and the business of art.

Units of study

For an up-to-date list of units of study for this degree, please refer to the online postgraduate handbook.

Full units of study list

Embedded courses

Further course information

Study plan

The MAC requires the satisfactory completion of 8 units of study (48 credit points) (cp). A minimum 5 units of study in the subject area are required. The remaining units of study are selected from the approved list of electives, or undertaken in a relevant or related field, such as museum studies, subject to the approval of the academic coordinator. Candidates undertake 5 core units of study (30cp), ARHT6914 Art and Curatorship, ARHT6935 The Art Museum: Past, Present and Future, ARHT6923 Gallery Internship and ARHT6942 Gallery Internship 2, plus one unit of study (6cp) from a designated selection. Candidates electing to undertake a dissertation (12cp) must prepare a research proposal and discuss their topic with the academic coordinator prior to enrolling. Approval is subject to the department's discretion and the availability of an appropriate academic supervisor. The dissertation is normally undertaken over two semesters and comprises research and writing toward a project of approximately 12,000 words.

Progression rules

Under normal progression, a student shall undertake and successfully complete all units of study to the value of 24 credit points per semester as prescribed for the course. Candidates must maintain a credit average result or above, normally over at least the first four units of study, in order to qualify for admission to the dissertation units of study. Students are required to attend all lectures, tutorials and other activities prescribed for their units of study.

Capstone experience

Master of Art Curatorship candidates undertake two compulsory internship units of study. Each internship placement is established by the student and could be in an Australian or international institution. Each placement is 20 days long and is supervised by museum and gallery professionals. Internships are project based and might involve a particular area of museum work, for example, registration, education or exhibitions. Candidates are required to prepare written assessments and to make a presentation.

Eligible candidates undertaking the degree of Master of Art Curatorship have the option of completing a dissertation on an approved topic over two units of study, normally undertaken over two semesters, with a value of 12 credit points, under the supervision of an academic staff member.

Course outcomes and further study

Graduate opportunities

The Master of Art Curatorship degree equips graduates for a career as an art curator, educator, collection manager, administrator, critic, dealer or valuer. The degree allows those already working in the sector to further develop their career prospects, while also serving as a career change option to those new to the field.

Further study

Graduates of the Master of Art Curatorship who have completed a dissertation with a meritorious grade are eligible to pursue a higher degree by research in their chosen subject area.

How to apply

Domestic students

How to apply

Applications are made to the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) http://www.uac.edu.au/
Please note: not all courses are offered in the July semester intake.

Admission requirements

Admission to candidature for the Master of Art Curatorship requires:
(a) a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65%) average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, including a major in a relevant subject area in the humanities, or an equivalent qualification; or
(b) completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Art Curatorship with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification.

International students

How to apply

Overseas applicants may apply:
(i) directly to the University, via the International Office. For information about closing dates and application procedures, visit the International Office website; or
(ii) through a University overseas representative (education agent).

Admission requirements

Admission to candidature for the Master of Art Curatorship requires:
(a) a bachelor's degree with a minimum credit (65%) average calculated over the whole degree, from the University of Sydney, including a major in a relevant subject area in the humanities, or an equivalent qualification; or
(b) completion of the requirements for the embedded Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Art Curatorship with a minimum credit (65%) average, or an equivalent qualification.

Fee disclaimer

Domestic students

*(1)Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount

This student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. If you are a Commonwealth supported student and was enrolled in a University course before 1 January 2011 your student contribution may differ.

Annual review

Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.

For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution please refer to the University's Future Student's online webpages at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/domestic_undergraduate/costs/calculating_costs.shtml

*(2)Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee

This 2012 tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student represents the fee that is payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information in this prospectus, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.

The academic requirements that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Faculty Handbook and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents

International students

International tuition fees for postgraduate students

This 2012 tuition fee for international postgraduate students represents the fees that are payable by you in the calendar year you commence your course, commencing in 2012 for a standard annual full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). If your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFSTL your fee will differ.

Annual review

Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and are likely to increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.

Additional incidental fees and health insurance

For some courses there are incidental fees additional to the tuition fees. Some of those fees are significant, for example, faculty-specific materials, tools, protected clothing, and equipment. For further information about these additional incidental fees, please visit the University's Future Student's online webpage at http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_coursework or http://sydney.edu.au/future_students/international_postgraduate_research

In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through an approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government.

Potential for inaccuracy

Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre for domestic students or the International Office for international students so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about those fees.