Overview

The Master of Arts in Contemporary Art and Curatorial Practice at the NABA Milan and Rome campuses brings artistic production together with specialised curatorial practice. Taught in Italian or English, this two-year programme connects artwork creation with the research and critical decisions involved in developing exhibitions and publications.

Established in 2006, the programme is led by internationally recognised artists and curators, alongside critics and other thinkers. Students explore how art relates to visual culture and society, developing the theoretical understanding to place their work within contemporary debates and the practical methods to bring projects to fruition.

Artistic experimentation and curatorial research inform one another throughout the course. The programme covers:

• Visual arts and photography
• Curatorial studies and exhibition design
• Editorial studies and critical writing
• Archive studies
• Museology
• The phenomenology of contemporary art

Students develop the skills to work with images and interpret contemporary artistic practices, applying their research to artistic and curatorial projects. Interdisciplinary activities connect this work with the professional context of contemporary art, supporting the production and presentation of projects at an international level.

The programme prepares students for professional paths including:

• Artist
• Curator
• Editor of art magazines and books
• Art critic
• Exhibition designer
• Gallery and museum director
• Auction house consultant
• Art dealer
• Director of public institutions

Accreditation

NABA’s Master of Arts programmes award Second Level Academic Degrees recognised by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR). These qualifications have full legal status and are equivalent to the corresponding university degrees. The academic credits awarded can support progression to further study at academies and universities in Italy and abroad.