Curatorial Practice: How to Apply
The Graduate Program in Curatorial Practice is a two-year master’s of art (MA) program open to advanced students who have a background in the arts, humanities, or social sciences and are interested in critical and theoretical issues in contemporary visual arts and curating.
Candidates are evaluated based on their qualifications, experience, and intellectual motivation. If short-listed, applicants will be invited to interview with the program chair and faculty.
The deadline to submit the 2012 graduate application is January 5, 2012. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis as space permits. Please contact Noel Dahl, Director of Graduate Admissions directly at ndahl@cca.edu for further information.
For general questions about CCA’s graduate programs or the application process, please email graduateprograms@cca.edu.
Application Requirements
- Application (nonrefundable $70 application fee required)
- Résumé / Curriculum vitae
- Personal statement
- Exhibition critique
- Exhibition proposal
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official college transcripts
Application
Applicants must complete and submit the application online; hard-copy, or paper, applications are no longer accepted. All applicants are required to pay a nonrefundable $70 application fee. (Note: Due to the volume of applications received, CCA is unable to return any materials; please do not submit any original artworks or writings.) Apply online now.
Résumé / Curriculum Vitae
Outline your educational and professional background and relevant experience and activities.
Personal Statement
In 500 to 1,000 words, outline your interest in this program and your professional and educational goals. Briefly describe relevant previous experience (i.e., curatorial projects, writings, research, and organizational roles), your particular areas of interest in contemporary art, and any critical influences on your work.
Written Material
Applicants should submit their written materials online as a PDF by registering for a SlideRoom account specifically for CCA applicants. Once an account is registered, instructions on how to create the portfolio will be provided.
Exhibition Critique
This 1,000-word essay should critique a recent contemporary art exhibition, evaluating its contents, order, ideas, and presentation.
Exhibition Proposal
In 1,000 words, provide a basic thesis and outline for a proposed exhibition, and include a list of artists and works, a possible site/venue, and a minimum of five visuals.
Two Letters of Recommendation
We encourage all applicants to use our electronic recommendation process for the convenience of the recommending parties, as well as to ensure the timely receipt of the letters. Your two letters of recommendation should be written by academic or professional sources (not personal or family friends). When submitting your application, please provide the email addresses of your recommenders so that we can send them the form electronically.
Official College Transcripts
Official, sealed transcript of undergraduate coursework must be sent to the Enrollment Services Office—Graduate Admissions (address below). Applicants who have taken graduate coursework are welcome to also send transcripts in support of their graduate application.
For international applicants, all transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation of the original.
All admitted students who were still in the process of completing a bachelor's degree at the time of applying must send the final transcript before enrolling to verify completion of the bachelor’s degree, including official notation of date of graduation, no later than August 1, 2012. Unofficial (unsealed) copies are not accepted.
International Applicants
In addition to the above requirements, international students must submit supplemental materials. See Requirements for International Students.
All documents and materials are due by January 5, 2012.
Application materials can be submitted electronically when applying. If you send hard-copy materials, please mail them to:
Enrollment Services Office—Graduate Admissions
California College of the Arts
1111 Eighth Street
San Francisco, CA 94107-2247
Phone: 415.703.9523
Fax: 415.703.9539
Email: graduateprograms@cca.edu
Scholarships
Graduate Program in Curatorial Practice Merit Scholarships: The admissions committee selects a limited number of outstanding students each year for these prestigious scholarships. This year merit recipients received $18,000 in renewable awards.
Dean’s Scholarship
The college dean selects a limited number of highly qualified applicants to receive these competitive, endowed awards, which range from $1,000 to full tuition.
Diversity Scholarships
The graduate division awards special scholarships to entering students who bring diverse experiences, ideas, and creative work to the CCA community. These renewable awards range from $11,000 to $24,000.
Teaching Assistantships
Teaching assistantships are based on merit and are awarded by the graduate chairs in conjunction with graduate faculty in the second year.