Available in 2024
Course code

AART3130

Units

10 units

Level

3000 level

Course handbook

Description

Through a dynamic series of lectures and site visits this course explores the history and the future of the museum (i.e. art galleries, social and natural history museums, contemporary art spaces). It will outline conventional and emerging practices within museums, (both public and commercial), along with the roles of curators, educators, exhibition management and conservation teams. Repatriation, digital cultural histories and audience engagement and in the 21st century museum. This course will provide an excellent introduction to the role of museums and galleries for those wishing to work in the sector as exhibition managers, curators, creative directors, archivists, cultural managers, critics, arts educators or artists. It addresses the ethical and philosophical issues of these cultural institutions and provides practical experience in some essential industry tasks. It includes work-integrated learning (WIL) through engagement with the University of Newcastle’s collection and delivers behind-the-scenes look at into our arts industry partners.


Availability2024 Course Timetables

Newcastle City Precinct

  • Semester 2 - 2024

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the course students will be able to:

1. Identify, compare and analyse different museum models including historic contexts and conventions

2. Give examples of ethical, economic and philosophical issues facing the museum in the 21st century

3. Critique exhibitions, displays of art objects and material culture in the museum/gallery environment

4. Describe the role of cultural institutions in contemporary society and identify key stakeholders

5. Develop and write exhibition proposals, budgets, wall texts and/or curatorial briefs

6. Create simple documentation and condition reports of art/cultural objects including basic research and provenance

7. Plan audience engagement strategies and/or design public programs or educational resources


Content

The following themes will be developed:

  1. History of the Western Museum including ‘Cabinets of Curiosity’
  2. Exhibiting Diversity: Ethics and Power Relations in the Museum
  3. Collectors, Collecting, Conservation and Provenance  
  4. Curatorial Strategies and Exhibition Development
  5. Structures of the Gallery/Museum System in Australia
  6. Architecture, Exhibition Design and Installation
  7. Grants, Prizes and Residencies
  8. Digital, Virtual and Interactive Technologies
  9. Funding Models, Partnerships and Philanthropy

Assumed knowledge

To enrol in this course students must have successfully completed 60 units at the 1000 level.


Assessment items

Written Assignment: Essays / Written Assignments

Professional Task: Catalogue worksheet

Practical Demonstration: Set of exhibition labels or exhibition proposal


Contact hours

Semester 2 - 2024 - Newcastle City Precinct

Lectorial-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per fortnight for 6 fortnight(s) starting in week 1
Tutorial-1
  • Face to Face On Campus 2 hour(s) per fortnight for 6 fortnight(s) starting in week 2

Course outline

Course outline not yet available.