Develop your skills and specialist expertise for a career in the arts and cultural heritage sectors while taking full advantage of Edinburgh’s outstanding archives and collections.
Drawing on resources and expertise from leading practitioners, professionals, and academics from across the University and Scotland, you will have the opportunity to combine research-focused study with experiential learning by developing curatorial projects with world-class arts and cultural heritage museums, galleries, and organisations based in Edinburgh.
Collections and Curating Practices is delivered in partnership with Fruitmarket, National Galleries of Scotland, National Library of Scotland, National Museums Scotland, and the University of Edinburgh’s own Heritage Collections and museums, including Talbot Rice Gallery.
If you have a background in the field – either through previous study in a related discipline or professional experience – and a desire to deepen your knowledge while expanding your vocational skills and networks, you’ll find our programme offers an ideal balance.
The only Master’s by Research programme of its kind in Britain, research frames our intellectual pursuits and partnerships, as well as our approach to experiential learning by putting theory into practice.
We encourage projects that challenge conventional modes of knowledge, curatorial practice, and cultural production. We strive to advance research addressing current issues and challenges to the discipline of art history, as well as the arts and cultural heritage sectors, encouraging researchers to make use of the vast archives and collections in Scotland.
We also support innovative and creative research on topics ranging from decolonial approaches to collections and curatorial practice, addressing the historical legacies of the European museum, to case studies on widening accessibility, equity, or community-centred, value-led strategies in the gallery. Your project need not address curatorship or museology, as the programme is designed to be flexible, supporting varied interests in the history of art and visual and material cultures, from contemporary photography in West Africa and Latin America, medieval artefacts from Northern Europe, right through to modern and contemporary art in Britain, the Global South, and beyond.
Opportunities
Edinburgh College of Art has a formidable track record for curatorial engagements in teaching and research. You will become part of our strong academic community and will be encouraged to participate in the University’s rich programme of research seminars, colloquia and conferences. As a research student you will have access to ECA’s newly refurbished study space.
Direct engagement with our partner institutions and their staff will provide you with valuable opportunities to develop your skills and networks in a practical setting. These experiences will be further enhanced through our masterclass programme where visiting specialists will introduce you to innovative approaches to collections research, management and engagement.
Partners:
Collections and Curating Practices is delivered in partnership with Fruitmarket, National Galleries of Scotland, National Library of Scotland, National Museums Scotland, and the University of Edinburgh’s own Heritage Collections and museums, including Talbot Rice Gallery.
