Art History and Curatorial Studies

Where better to study art history and curatorship than surrounded by Australia's national cultural and collecting institutions? What's more, where better to study Art History than in Australia's premier practice-led research institution, the ANU School of Art. Here, you will study the history of art while surrounded by the making of art.

At ANU you can take advantage of our strong connections to the National Gallery of Australia, the National Museum of Australia, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Library and the Australian War Memorial to participate in our renowned internship program.

And like many of our graduates before you, you might even find yourself working there.

Our leading Master of Art History and Curatorial Studies program offers courses in Australian and Asian art; 19th - 20th century Australian and European art and design; modernism and postmodernism; curatorial practice, all taught by our specialist art historians.

Employment Opportunities

A Master of Art History and Curatorial Studies will advance your career working in art galleries, museums and other cultural institutions; the arts, heritage and collections sectors; the commercial world of culture and art; and in teaching and education.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the skills and knowledge to:

1. differentiate and critique at an advanced level the historical, social, cultural and political contexts of diverse periods, styles, and methods in Art History
2. closely analyse at an advanced level individual works of art, and interpret and communicate ideas to both specialist and non-specialist audiences using disciplinary language and conventions;
3. construct comprehensive linkages between the study of Art History and the practicalities of curating; and
4. undertake independent research

The Master of Art History and Curatorial Studies requires completion of 96 units, which must consist of:

A minimum of 24 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ARTH6045 Curatorship Theory and Practice

ARTH6057 The Art and Politics of Collecting

ARTH8012 Methodologies of Art History

ARTH8013 East-West Interactions in Art

A maximum of 48 units from completion of courses from the following list:

ARTH6027 Australian Art: 20th and 21st Century

ARTH6039 Painters of Modern Life

ARTH6043 Modernism and Postmodernism in Art and Design: 1850-2000

ARTH6044 Art and Its Context: Materials Techniques Display

ARTH6050 Photography: A History in Art

ARTH6052 Art of the Modern Print

ARTH6055 Fabric of Life: An Introduction to Textile History

ARTH6056 Art and Architecture of Southeast Asia: Tradition and Transformation

ARTH6059 Art and Architecture of Asia: Continuity and Change

ARTH6061 Postmodern Sublime

ARTH6093 Post-Colonial Discourses in Australian Art

ARTH6097 Victorian and Edwardian Art: Australia and Europe 1837-1914

ARTH6504 Art of Portraiture: History and Theory

ARTH6598 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art

ARTH8004 Exploring Asian Art in Asia

ARTH8014 Art Museum Internship: Collection Management

ARTH8015 Art Museum Internship: Audience Development

ARTH8016 Readings in Art History and Curatorial Studies

ASIA6073 Chinese Calligraphy: History and Practice

MUSC8008 Museums, Art and Society in the Asia-Pacific

24 units from completion of elective courses offered by ANU

A Bachelor degree or international equivalent with an average mark of at least 65 per cent

All applicants must meet the University's English Language Admission Requirements for Students

Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 24 units (1 semester) of credit.

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for 48 units (1 year) of credit.

Cognate disciplines

Anthropology, Art History, Art Theory, Classics, Fine Arts, History, Museum Studies.

ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to current and future students to assist with the cost of their studies. The University is committed to enabling all students, regardless of their background, to achieve their best at ANU and realise their potential. 

Eligibility for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are.  Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.