Art (Creative) and Art History (MA)

Master of Arts in Art (Creative) and Art History 
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (GA)
Department: Art and Design
Program Webpage
Academic Plan Code(s): See Concentration Requirements tab.

Program Information

The Department of Art and Design, endowed as the Hite Institute of Art and Design, offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Art with concentrations in Art History and Critical & Curatorial Studies. The program requires 31 credit hours of graduate study, divided between the Core Curriculum and coursework in either the Art History or Critical & Curatorial Studies concentration.

Art History Concentration
The MA in Art with a concentration in Art History provides advanced expertise in the history of art. This course of study equips students with the coursework, language skills, and research experience necessary for further graduate study or for careers in museums or educational settings. Students in this concentration may choose from in-depth courses in topics such as Renaissance and Baroque Art in Italy, Spain, and Northern Europe; Mexican Art; 19th- and 20th-century Architecture; American Art; Film; Modern and Contemporary Western Art and Theory; and Asian and Non-Western Art and Architecture.

Critical & Curatorial Studies Concentration
The MA in Art with a concentration in Critical & Curatorial Studies integrates critical theory, contemporary art history, exhibition history, and practical exhibition experience. This concentration prepares students for careers in the rapidly expanding fields of contemporary exhibition development and art writing.

Program Resources
Students in the MA program benefit from the Hite Institute of Art and Design’s extensive resources, including multiple galleries on campus and in downtown Louisville, partnerships with local museums and galleries, and an active speaker and colloquia schedule featuring internationally renowned curators, gallery directors, and artists.

Degree Summary

Soaring Scholar Accelerated BA/MA in Art History and Critical and Curatorial Studies

Undergraduate students interested in the program's accelerated options should visit the catalog page for the BA in Art for more information.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the MA program must submit the following credentials to the Graduate School:

• A formal Application for Graduate Admission, including a  nonrefundable application processing fee.
• Official transcripts of all college work.
• Two letters of recommendation specific to the program, addressing the applicant's academic and/or artistic achievements and potential.
• A statement of purpose (approximately 500 words) outlining the applicant’s educational and professional goals in their chosen field (Art History or Curatorial Studies).
• A writing sample, typically an advanced-level Art History paper.

Program Requirements

¹

‘Outside the concentration’ means outside the area of focus, e.g.: students in the Art History concentration must take a course in Studio Art or Curatorial Studies; students in the Curatorial Studies concentration must take a course in Studio Art or Art History. 

Concentration Requirements 

All students must complete one of the following 15 credit hour concentrations, in addition to the 16 credit hour program core (see Degree Requirements tab).

Concentration in Art History

Academic Plan Code(s): ARTCMA_HIS

Upon admission to the program, students in the Art History concentration are expected to demonstrate competence in the history of art, equivalent to an undergraduate major.

Reading knowledge of one foreign language is required for the completion of the Art History concentration. This requirement should be fulfilled during the first year in the program, but must be met before enrolling for Thesis Guidance (ARTH 645/ARTH 646). Proficiency can be demonstrated in one of two ways:

1. Taking an examination administered by the department, scheduled in the fall and spring semesters; or
2. Completing the intermediate level of the language at the University of Louisville with a grade of B or better.

A minimum of 15 credit hours in the concentration, exclusive of Thesis Guidance, must be at the 600-level, of which at least nine (9) credit hours must be in Art History.

The concentration in Art History will conclude with a written thesis.

The thesis is a research paper that demonstrates critical knowledge of relevant sources, skill in analysis and interpretation, and the ability to present findings in a well-organized, coherent manner. The thesis must be defended in an oral examination. 

Concentration in Critical & Curatorial Studies

Academic Plan Code(s): ARTMA_CCS

Upon admission to the program, students in the Critical & Curatorial Studies concentration are expected to demonstrate competence in art history, studio art, or arts management, equivalent to an undergraduate major, as well as an interest in museum theory and practice.

A minimum of 15 credit hours in the concentration, exclusive of Thesis Guidance, must be at the 600-level

The concentration in Critical & Curatorial Studies culminates in a thesis exhibition or curatorial project. This project may be produced in collaboration with the university’s galleries, the Speed Art Museum, or other appropriate institutions authorized by the department. The exhibition or project should take place in the final year of study.

To fulfill this requirement, the candidate must:

1. Submit a project proposal, approved by their graduate advisor;
2. Produce or implement the proposed thesis practicum; and
3. Document the exhibition or project.

The documentation should include materials such as press releases, announcements, wall texts, brochures, catalogs, and digital or photographic records of the exhibition or project, along with other relevant documentary materials.

In addition to the practicum and documentation, the thesis will include a written component that connects the project to critical theory and current curatorial practice. This written portion will detail the planning, implementation, and documentation of the project and must comply with the regulations governing the format and presentation of the written master’s thesis.