ARTH 495: RS: Curating an Exhibit

ARTH 495-001: Curating an Exhibition
(Fall 2024)

01:30 PM to 04:10 PM F

Research Hall 201

Section Information for Fall 2024

In this class students will participate in every aspect of curating an exhibition. We will be working with Indian paintings related to Krishna that date to 1550 and later that are in the collection of the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution.

Dr. Debra Diamond, the museum’s South Asia curator, has made these objects available to us and has kindly agreed to work with this class. Students will collaboratively choose an exhibition theme, write a proposal, select objects, design the exhibition layout, conduct archival research, write wall text, design and write a short exhibition catalogue, create marketing materials, plan educational programs, help install and deinstall the show, and develop gallery talks.

The finished results will be a web-based exhibition AND/OR an on-campus exhibit using photographs of the paintings.

This course will differ from the typical seminar in that it will explore the practical side of curatorial work in addition to scholarly research. Students will be expected to attend at least two class sessions on site at the National Museum of Asian Art as well as potentially conduct research in the museum’s archives.

Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 3

Conduct hands-on research with objects or other primary sources. Select particular artifacts or works of art and undertake original research, bringing objects from storage to publication to exhibition. Develop skills in material and visual analysis, critical reading, and academic writing. Focus is on VA/DC/MD libraries, archives, and storerooms. Offered by History & Art History. May be repeated within the degree for a maximum 9 credits.
Mason Core: Mason Core, Writing Intensive in Major
Specialized Designation: Research/Scholarship Intensive
Recommended Prerequisite: 6 credits of 300-level courses in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and ENGH 302.
Schedule Type: Seminar
Grading:
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.