Curatorial Studies – Theory – History – Criticism (Curatorial Studies – Theorie – Geschichte – Kritik) Goethe University Frankfurt

Hochschule für Bildende Künste–Städelschule

Courses are held in German (80%) and English (20%). Participants can choose to write their Master's theses in either language.

Curatorial Studies – Theory – History – Criticism is a two-year Master's programme run by Goethe University and Hochschule für Bildende Künste–Städelschule – in cooperation with Städel Museum, Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung, Museum MMK für Moderne Kunst Frankfurt, Historisches Museum Frankfurt, Weltkulturen Museum and Portikus. The following disciplines are involved through the institutes and/or faculty representatives at Goethe University: Art History, Philosophy, Ethnology, Archaeological Sciences, Art Education and History. The programme is domiciled at Goethe University's Institute of Art History.

The programme is internationally unique, defined by the close collaboration of the university, art academy and museums. Through innovative learning formats, the students can combine academic study and research with curatorial discourse and professional practice.

The focus of the curriculum is the reflection on curating art and on art criticism as an intellectual and aesthetic challenge. The objective is to acquire a competency that combines subject-related work with theoretical and specialist knowledge. One of the particular aims of this Master’s programme is to extend the scope of discussions on curating and the theory of art, so far closely linked to contemporary art, in order to cover earlier eras and other academic disciplines, as well.

In the 21st century, museums and exhibition venues are faced with new tasks and new challenges. Under the conditions of global works of art as well as in a reaction to developments in contemporary art, the presentation of art works and objects of cultural history has become a socio-political challenge that demands that the history of art as well as cultural, social, political, and philosophical aspects be taken into consideration.

This joint Master's programme in Frankfurt responds to these challenges, offering future curators and art critics the opportunity to combine theory and specialist knowledge with questions relating to curating and the history of art. Practical knowledge is offered. The programme's unique combination of academic teaching, museums, and exhibition facilities and artistic training allows for the daily interweaving of curatorial questions, art criticism, and the practice of art. A large portion of the course is reserved for the academic qualification of the students within their own disciplines – the history of art, philosophy, ethnology, archaeological sciences, art education, or history.

31 May for the following winter semester

Module 1: CRITICAL CURATING AND PRESENTATION

Module 2: MUSEOLOGICAL POLICY – PAST AND PRESENT

Module 3: AESTHETIC THEORY AND PRACTICE

Modules 4 to 6: RESEARCH / SUBJECT FIELD to be chosen from the following: history of art, philosophy, ethnology, archaeological sciences, art education, or history

Module 7: EXCURSION

Module 8: MASTER'S QUALIFICATION

The annual intake of 12 to 15 students guarantees a small and intensive research framework in events especially organised for the students. The teaching staff consists of university professors and lecturers from Goethe University and Städelschule as well as the directors and curators of Städel Museum, Liebieghaus Skulpturensammlung, MMK Museum für Moderne Kunst Frankfurt, Historisches Museum Frankfurt, Weltkulturen Museum, and Portikus. Further experts conduct individual events and projects.

During the first year, students are in constant contact with the cooperating museums. They participate in discussions about the conception and realisation of exhibitions and the presentation of collections. University seminars provide an opportunity for the participants to extend their expertise. Furthermore, criteria and categories of art criticism as well as academic principles of art theory and aesthetics will be discussed. A course module on the history of the museum and exhibitions complements the programme. A two-month internship, preferably resulting in a collaboration on an exhibition project, offers an insight into the curatorial departments of a museum or exhibition institution. A fundamental aspect of the second year is the development of the Master's thesis, and in-depth work on object-related approaches combined with theoretical inquiry.

The Master's thesis consists of the theoretical and methodical substantiation of a curatorial and critical project. There is no defined format. However, a scholarly text is obligatory in each case. One part of the Master's thesis may be submitted in a different format, for example, an exhibition concept or a documentation of an exhibition. The Master's thesis can be supervised by professors at Goethe University and Städelschule as well as by curators at the participating museums. Exams are taken at Goethe University and/or Städelschule.

An internship of eight weeks is to be completed during the summer break between the second and third semesters. Programme advisers will assist students in finding an appropriate internship, especially in the institutions that cooperate with the programme.

No tuition fees

Goethe University charges an administrative fee of approx. 360 EUR per semester (less than 730 EUR per year).

Admission requirements include a Bachelor's degree or equivalent degree with a minimum of six semesters with at least 120 CPs in art history, archaeology, art education, philosophy, ethnology, or history. Fine art graduates may also apply. Applications must include a single-page statement of purpose (SoP), a resume (CV) and copies of relevant certificates. Please send your application by mail and via e-mail.

Participants must provide proof of their knowledge of German by passing the DSH-1 exam. Knowledge of two modern languages is mandatory, one being English at level B2 and another one at level B1. Additionally, proof of Latin skills or another foreign language at level B1 is required at the end of the Master's programme.

31 May for the following winter semester

Goethe University offers information on possible scholarships on this website. Scholarship opportunities include:
Goethe University Deutschlandstipendium
Graduation Scholarship