MA in Curatorial Studies

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 curriculum is specifically designed to deepen students’ understanding of the intellectual and practical 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.

CCS Bard is 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 US focusing on post-1960s contemporary art; and the CCS Bard Archives, which contain archives and manuscripts of preeminent contemporary art curators, innovative commercial art galleries, artist-run spaces, artists’ initiatives, and the archives of contemporary artists. Together, the Hessel Museum of Art, the CCS Bard Library, and the CCS Bard 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.

The graduate program culminates in individually curated thesis exhibitions at the Hessel Museum. 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 EMPAC in Troy, NY, as well as 80WSE, 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 internationally distinguished faculty, including curators and other museum professionals, scholars in the humanities and social sciences, artists, and critics. Faculty teaching at CCS Bard during the 2019–20 academic year include: Nana Adusei-Poku, Vic Brooks, Ann Butler, Dawn Chan, Lauren Cornell, Olga DeKalo, Tom Eccles, Lia Gangitano, Ed Halter, Thomas Keenan, Alex Kitnick, Cori Olinghouse, Emilio Rojas, Ian Sullivan, Evan Calder Williams, 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 give a lecture as part of our Speaker Series. Fall 2019 visitors include: American Artist, Fia Backström, David Breslin, Archie Burnett, Laura Grey, Prem Krishnamurthy, Claudia La Rocco, Margaret Lee, Miguel A. Lopez, Carmen Mörsch, Peter Mustardo, Mina Nishimura, Ileana Ramirez Romero, Will Rawls, Maura Reilly, Carissa Rodriguez, Rachel Rossin, Kirsten Scheid, Christian Scheidemann, Joshua Simon, Samita Sinha, Lucy Steeds, and Caroline Woolard.

CCS Bard alumni now include over 300 figures working prominently in the US and internationally at institutions including the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts; Casco Art Institute; the Center for Contemporary Art, Tel Aviv; the Hammer Museum; Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art; The Museum of Modern Art; the National Museum of Singapore; the New Museum; the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; and Witte de With Center for Contemporary Art. Graduates have also been part of curatorial teams for many touchstone exhibitions including documenta and biennials in Berlin, Liverpool, Lofoten, Porto Alegre, and Venice, among others.

Interested students must apply online to the master of arts in curatorial studies program by the February 1, 2020 deadline. For more information about the program, the application process, or applying for scholarships, please visit our website at ccs.bard.edu. 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.