StudyLink logoHome
Students on a university campus

Criticism & Curatorial Practice, MFA, OCAD University

Canada

OCAD University

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
MFAFull-time2 yearsfind outCAD 20000 per yearCAD 40000 per year

About Criticism & Curatorial Practice, MFA - at OCAD University

The Master of Fine Arts in Criticism & Curatorial Practice program offers graduate students an exceptional opportunity to explore and experiment with contemporary art, media and design through engagement with history, theory and criticism within curatorial practice.

OCAD University's distinctive program focuses uniquely on the practices of curating and criticism, leading to the Master of Fine Arts degree. Our graduate faculty and adjunct faculty include practising curators and critics who bring deep intellectual and professional expertise to the studies of criticism and curatorial practice.

OCAD University's reputation for excellence entices internationally renowned authorities to its annual Artist-in-Residence program, and assists students to establish programmatic internships in Canada and abroad.

The MFA in Criticism & Curatorial Practice is a full-time, 60-credit program normally completed within two academic years or five sequential semesters. With the Program Director's approval, some part-time students may be admitted with a more flexible completion schedule.

The program comprises the following:

  • Five core seminars (critical theory, research methods, issues in exhibitions, critical writing, and issues in criticism and curatorial studies)
  • Two core practice and issues-based studio/seminars
  • An institutionally embedded theory and practice-based course,"Inside Curatorial Practice", which including a collaborative group exhibition
  • Two elective seminars or studios
  • Individual research
  • Summer internship or study abroad
  • Thesis: curatorial exhibition and critical essay, or criticism thesis

Students entering the program will have an honours-equivalent four-year bachelor's degree in studio art or design, or art history/visual culture, or a related discipline, and several years of practical experience. They will be interested in augmenting their existing knowledge base through a program of study that facilitates exploration of and experimentation with the full range of contemporary art and/or design curatorial and critical practices, and that provides the historical, theoretical and critical armature required.

Notes about fees for this course

The fees listed here are approximate, and can vary from course to course. For more pricing information, please check the institution website.

Entry requirements

Application for admission into the MFA in Criticism & Curatorial Practice at OCAD U is a highly competitive process. Applicants must hold a BA, BFA, BDes, or comparable honours degree/certification with an average of 75 per cent (B+) or better during the last two years of study, or must demonstrate exceptional experience/expertise as a practising artist, designer, critic or curator. All applicants must demonstrate creative and conceptual competence at a high level.

For consideration by the admissions committee, and in addition to the basic application requirements outlined below, applicants need to complete and submit the following through the Graduate Application Portal:

  • Research Proposal: Applicants should clearly outline their background in their area of concentration and describe their research interest or theme for their graduate work in the program. Appendices including bibliography and examples of visual work may be included if appropriate. It is strongly suggested that applicants identify at least one graduate faculty member they would like to work with during their studies. The proposal must be typed and should not exceed 500 words.
  • CV: Applicants should include an updated copy of their curriculum vitae.

Courses you may be interested in at other institutions

Below are some suggested courses at other providers that you may also be interested in:

Applied Financial Mathematics University Certificate

Distance and Independent Studies Center, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU), Germany

Find out more

Visual Communication MA

Berlin School of Business and Innovation

Find out more

Designer in Sustainable Innovation Master

BESIGN The Sustainable Design School

Find out more

Information Sciences Master Degree

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Find out more

Master in Transportation Design Master Degree

IAAD. - Institute of Applied Art and Design

Find out more

Postgraduate pathways and pre-masters at other institutions

If you do not meet the entry requirements for this course then consider one of these postgraduate preparation courses from another institution:

Graduate Certificate (Birmingham)

Ulster University London and Birmingham

Find out more

Business and English

Sheffield Hallam University

Find out more

Graduate Diploma in Strategic Management Level 7

New Zealand Management Academies (NZMA)

Find out more
See all Postgraduate pathway courses

Other courses at OCAD University

There are 25 other courses listed from OCAD University. A selection of these are displayed below:

Advertising BDes

OCAD University

Find out more

Creative Writing BFA

OCAD University

Find out more

Design for Health MDes

OCAD University

Find out more

Digital Futures BDes, BFA

OCAD University

Find out more

Digital Futures MA, MDes, MFA

OCAD University

Find out more
View all 25 courses at OCAD University

Related Information

See other universities in Toronto

Find out more about studying in Canada