Future of Art Museums (FOAM) master’s programme

Museion—Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Bozen Bolzano, together with the Faculty of Design and Art of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano (unibz), are happy to announce the launch of the one-year master’s programme in Contemporary Museum Practices, FOAM—Future of Art Museums. Applications are now open until October 15.

FOAM marks a pioneering collaboration in Europe between a public art museum and an established university in developing an academically and internationally recognized master’s degree. The programme is designed for emerging professionals in the field of contemporary art who are interested in the broader context of institutional operations surrounding their practice, whether it be curating, exhibition architecture, conservation, or public outreach. The programme offers a series of theoretical and practical courses delivered by internationally renowned practitioners – including designers, writers, museum directors, curators, unibz professors and Museion staff members – and is complemented by a summer internship at an European partner institution.

This postgraduate programme aims to train professionals in the field of museology and museography, equipping them with theoretical and practical tools to creatively address the contemporary conditions of art museums and the challenges posed by their changing role in a continuously evolving society.

At the heart of the programme is the new ICOM museum definition from 2022, which places greater emphasis on accessibility, inclusiveness, and sustainability, alongside the traditional responsibilities of promoting education, conservation, and the valorisation of cultural heritage. As a response, FOAM unpacks the art institution as a significant agent for social transformation.

The courses will address the most pressing issues that define the core operational and discursive aspects of art museums—exhibitions, presentations, public programmes, workshops, events, research projects and collections—offering innovative perspectives and new approaches. Special attention is given to the concept of the museum as a place of informal learning, experience and constituency building: a civic space of encounter and discussion, deeply involved in the development of local communities while maintaining international relevance. In the first edition, dedicated to the theme of social responsibility, participants will be invited to develop their own projects that explore the museum as a critical agent, alongside distinguished international professionals who are actively shaping the current transformation of the field.

Organised in clusters, the course calendar is designed to allow participants and professionals to take part in the Master’s activities without having to move to Bolzano for the whole year. All courses are taught in English. Details of the teaching staff can be found here.

The master begins in March 2025; prospective students are encouraged to apply by October 15, 2024 at the latest. More information here.

Those interested are encouraged to apply in advance, as places in this course are limited. Interviews will be conducted in November 2024.