Curatorial Practice: How to Apply

The Graduate Program in Curatorial Practice is a two-year master’s degree program open to advanced students who have a background in the arts, humanities, or social sciences and are interested in critical and theoretical issues in contemporary visual arts and curating.

Candidates are evaluated based on their qualifications, experience, and intellectual motivation. If short-listed, applicants will be invited to interview with the program chair and faculty.

January 15, 2009, is the application deadline for fall 2009 enrollment. (Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis.)

Note: the fall 2009 graduate application is now available (at right).

Application Requirements

Application (nonrefundable $50 application fee required)
Curriculum vitae
Personal statement
Exhibition critique
Exhibition proposal
Two letters of recommendation
Official college transcripts

Application
Applicants must complete and submit the application online; hard-copy, or paper, applications are no longer accepted. Apply online now. All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable $50 application fee. (Note: Due to the volume of applications received, CCA is unable to return any materials; please do not submit any original artworks or writings.)

Curriculum Vitae
Outline your educational and professional background and relevant experience and activities.

Personal Statement 

In 500 to 1,000 words, outline your interest in this program and your professional and educational goals. Briefly describe relevant previous experience (i.e., curatorial projects, writings, research, and organizational roles), your particular areas of interest in contemporary art, and any critical influences on your work.

Exhibition Critique
This 1,000-word essay should critique a recent contemporary art exhibition, evaluating its contents, order, ideas, and presentation.

Exhibition Proposal
In 1,000 words, provide a basic thesis and outline for a proposed exhibition, and include a list of artists and works, a possible site/venue, and a minimum of five visuals.

Two Letters of Recommendation
We encourage all applicants to use our electronic recommendation process for the convenience of the recommending parties, as well as to ensure the timely receipt of the letters. Your two letters of recommendation should be written by academic or professional sources (not personal or family friends). When submitting your application, please provide the email addresses of your recommenders so that we can send them the form electronically.

Official College Transcripts 
Official, sealed transcripts of all previous undergraduate and graduate studies must be sent directly from each college or university you have attended to CCA’s Enrollment Services Office (address below and at right). Unofficial (unsealed) copies are not accepted. All transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation of the original.

All admitted students must verify completion of a bachelor’s degree, including official notation of date of graduation, no later than July 1, 2009.

International Applicants

In addition to the above requirements, international students must submit supplemental materials. See Requirements for International Students.

All documents and materials are due by January 15, 2009.

Application materials can be submitted electronically when applying. If you send hard-copy materials, please mail them to:
Enrollment Services Office—Graduate Admissions
California College of the Arts
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107-2247

Phone: 415.703.9523
Fax: 415.703.9539
Email: graduateprograms@cca.edu

Scholarships

Graduate Program in Curatorial Practice Merit Scholarships: The admissions committee selects a limited number of outstanding students each year for these prestigious scholarships. This year students received $16,000 in renewable awards.

Dean’s Scholarship: The college dean selects a limited number of highly qualified applicants to receive these competitive, endowed awards, which range from $1,000 to full tuition.

Diversity Scholarships: The graduate division awards special scholarships to entering students who bring diverse experiences, ideas, and creative work to the CCA community. These renewable awards range from $8,000 to $20,000.

Teaching Assistantships: Teaching assistantships are based on merit and are awarded by the graduate chairs in conjunction with graduate faculty in the second year.

Information Night

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October 30, 2008
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Contact:

Enrollment Services Office
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107