Located in the heart of New York City, the master’s degree program in Curatorial Practice at the School of Visual Arts (SVA) offers practical training blended with historical and theoretical studies in every aspect of professional curatorial work, preparing our international students for careers in museums, galleries, auction houses, corporate collections, and other venues, as well as for becoming independent curators. Our faculty, comprised of renowned curators from New York’s major museums and global cultural centers, ensures that students receive the training they need to be hired as professionals in the field.
SVA MA Curatorial Practice students benefit from total immersion in the incredibly diverse New York art world, with close proximity to some of the world’s greatest museums and hundreds of art galleries within minutes of our space. As part of the program, you will have the opportunity to create three subsidized exhibitions in our state-of-the-art facility and industrial spaces in Brooklyn, ensuring that you’re prepared to curate in any environment — not just the pristine walls of standard galleries. Along with these subsidized shows, we also subsidize a summer trip to a leading European biennial, such as the Venice or Berlin Biennale, followed by a hand-picked internship at a significant international art institution.
Our emphasis on practical training includes specialized workshops in exhibition installation, design, conservation, grant writing, and curating with and across media in the contemporary world of interdisciplinary practices. Courses in museum studies cover collection management, archival work, and institutional programming, with guidance from prominent museum curators and directors.
Students in the program engage in deep historical and theoretical reading, produce an exhibition catalogue, and interact with more than 50 curators, institution directors, and prominent artists, expanding their practical knowledge and professional network for the future. Local trips to artist residencies provide further access to international artists and curatorial opportunities.
Generous scholarships are available, supporting two intensive years of practice-oriented and knowledge-rich education, equipping students with the skills they need to thrive in the professional curatorial field.
Join us for an upcoming information session online in November or January.
The Fall 2025 graduate application deadline is January 15, 2025.
For more information, visit macp.sva.edu.
If you’re in New York, attend our free in-person panel discussion, “The Future of the Museum,” featuring members of SVA’s esteemed faculty on October 30.
