Call for applications

The graduate program at the Center for Curatorial Studies, Bard College (CCS Bard) is an intensive two-year course of study in the history of contemporary art, the institutions and practices of exhibition making, and the theory and criticism of contemporary art since the 1960s. The two-year curriculum is specifically designed to deepen students’ understanding of the intellectual and technical tasks of curating exhibitions and projects around contemporary art, particularly within the complex social and cultural situations of present-day arts institutions, as well as focusing intensively on interpretive and critical writing.

One of the earliest and foremost curatorial studies programs, CCS Bard initiated its graduate program in 1994. Hundreds of illustrious curators, critics, scholars, and artists have taught seminars and courses since the program began. CCS Bard alumni/ae now include over 275 figures working prominently in the U.S. and internationally at institutions including the Carpenter Center for Visual Arts, CASCO – Office for Art, Design, and Theory, the Hammer Museum, Henie-Onstad Art Center, the New Museum, SFMoMA, Tate Modern, and Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art. Graduates have also been part of curatorial teams for many touchstone exhibitions including documenta 14, and biennials in Berlin, Lofoten, Porto Alegre, and Venice, among others.

CCS Bard is also distinguished by its tripartite resources: the Hessel Museum of Art, a 25,000 square foot building dedicated to critical and experimental approaches to curating, the CCS Bard Library, one of the leading contemporary art research collections in the U.S. focusing on post-1960s contemporary art, exhibition histories, theory, and criticism, and the CCS Bard Archives which contains archives and manuscripts of preeminent contemporary art curators, innovative commercial art galleries, artist-run spaces, artist’s initiatives, and the archives of contemporary artists. Together, the Hessel Museum, the CCS Bard Library, and the Archives support one of the world’s most forward-thinking teaching and learning environments for contemporary art research and the study of contemporary curatorial practices.

Every year the program culminates in individually curated thesis exhibitions and projects. Students are also offered multiple opportunities to realize other public presentations, curatorial projects, and exhibitions at CCS Bard, and in collaboration with partnering institutions, which include most recently The Kitchen, The International Studio & Curatorial Program (ISCP), P! Gallery, Judd Foundation, and Artist’s Space, all located in New York City. Additionally, CCS Bard supports student scholarships, a sponsored annual international research trip, and paid summer mentorship placements at institutions around the world.

The program has an international and luminary faculty, including curators and other museum professionals, scholars in the humanities and social sciences, artists, and critics. Faculty teaching at CCS Bard during the 2017-2018 academic year include: Marcia Acita, Nova Benway, Ann Butler, Lauren Cornell, Tom Eccles, Galit Eilat, Roxana Fabius, Lia Gangitano, Susan Hapgood, Alhena Katsof, Matt Keegan, Thomas Keenan, Alex Kitnick, Cori Olinghouse, Evan Calder Williams, Lumi Tan, Jeannine Tang, Mick Wilson, and Amy Zion.

Each semester, CCS Bard invites a distinct group of artists, curators, art historians, and critics to visit the program, meet with students, participate in classes, or to give a lecture as part of our Speaker Series. Fall 2017 visitors include: Jennifer Bornstein, Chiara Bottici, Archie Burnett, Stuart Comer, Moyra Davey, Bridget Donahue, Lia Gangitano, John Hanhardt, Sandi Hilal, Rujeko Hockley, Tishan Hsu, Ana Janevski, Chris Kraus, Mason Leaver-Yap, Claire Lehmann, Naeem Mohaiemen, Joanna Phillips, Julia Scher, Shelley Senter, Jason Simon, Farris Wahbeh, and Mick Wilson. 

Interested students must apply online to the Master of Arts in Curatorial Studies program by the February 1, 2018 deadline. For more information about the program, the application process, or applying for scholarships, please visit our website at www.bard.edu/ccs/study. Interested students are also encouraged to contact CCS Bard to further discuss the program or to set up a visit by calling T (845) 758 7598 or sending an email to ccsadmissions [​at​] bard.edu.