Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Art and Curatorial Practice
Graduate students in History of Art and other related departments have the opportunity to complete a Graduate Certificate in Contemporary Art and Curatorial Practice alongside their PhD or other graduate degree (such as the MA or MFA).
The 14-16 credit hour certificate trains graduate students in the theory and practice of curatorial work and exhibitions in art museums, galleries, and other contemporary art exhibition spaces. Focusing both on historical and conceptual research and on practical hands-on experience working in exhibition making, this certificate aims to prepare students for careers in curatorial practice in the arts by augmenting their graduate training in related fields.
All coursework can be taken concurrently with coursework towards the primary graduate degree; 100% of the certificate courses can overlap with degree requirements.
Required core courses (8 credits):
- History of Art 7015: Exhibition Histories (4 credits)
- History of Art 7190: Curatorial Practicum (4 credits)
Elective courses (6-8 credits):
In addition, students will select two more courses (6-8 credits) listed below. The strong preference is for students to take two of the first three courses, but any 7XXX - 8XXX History of Art graduate course may be counted towards the certificate. 5XXX level courses in History of Art may be counted by petition to the Certificate Advisor.*
- History of Art 6001: Historical and Conceptual Bases of Art History (3 credits)
- History of Art 7020: Curatorial Elective (4 credits)
- History of Art 8641: Wexner Seminar (4 credits)
- History of Art 7XXX - 8XXX: Other History of Art graduate course (3-4 credits)
- History of Art 5XXX: Other History of Art graduate course by petition (3-4 credits)
PLAN YOUR COURSEWORK:
- AUTUMN 2025: History of Art 7190: Curatorial Practicum (4 credits) course is currently full but add your name to waitlist
- SPRING 2026: History of Art 7015: Exhibition Histories (4 credits)
- AUTUMN 2026: History of Art 7020: Curatorial Elective (4 credits) & History of Art 6001: Historical and Conceptual Bases of Art History (3 credits)
- SPRING 2027: History of Art 7190: Curatorial Practicum (4 credits)
*Petition process is an email to Professor Kris Paulsen. If you are interested in pursuing the certificate, please contact the certificate advisor in History of Art, Professor Kris Paulsen.
Many faculty members and graduate students in History of Art are active curators in the field, and many of our graduates hold curatorial positions at institutions around the world. Curatorial projects are regularly integrated into both undergraduate and graduate courses in History of Art, where students work with faculty members to design and plan exhibitions.
Further, graduate students who comprise The Task of the Curator Collective curate an annual exhibition of contemporary artworks and organize corresponding public lectures and artist talks.
See examples and descriptions of some of these curatorial collaborations, lectures, and partnerships.