The MA Art and Culture – Contemporary Art History at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam focuses on contemporary art from the 1960s to today, including visual, media, and digital practices. You learn how to research, analyse, and communicate art-historical knowledge for museums, archives, festivals, and the cultural industries.
The Master of Arts in Art and Culture – Contemporary Art History at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers an in-depth exploration of contemporary art from the 1960s to the present. This program focuses on various artistic practices, including visual, media, and digital art. Students will develop skills in research, analysis, and communication of art historical knowledge, preparing them for roles in museums, archives, festivals, and the broader cultural sector.
The curriculum is designed to cultivate expertise in art history and enhance research capabilities through a combination of core courses and specialized modules.
In addition to coursework, students will engage in critical analysis of contemporary artworks and develop academic arguments, with guidance and feedback throughout their studies.
Applicants must possess an academic Bachelor’s degree in art history, MKDA, or a comparable field. Those with a degree in the Humanities—such as history, media studies, philosophy, or cultural studies—are required to have completed a minimum of 60 ECTS in art history or theory. The Admissions Board will review each application for eligibility.
Graduates of this program are well-equipped to pursue careers in various sectors, including museums, galleries, cultural institutions, and educational organizations. The skills developed during the course will enable them to contribute meaningfully to the fields of art curation, research, and cultural management.
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