What are the challenges today’s art museum faces within an ever changing social, cultural and economic landscape?
This course examines Tate as an institution, from opening its doors to the public for the first time at Millbank in 1897, to the most recent developments at its four major galleries across the UK. Tate’s mission is to increase the public’s enjoyment and understanding of British art from the 16th century to the present day and of international modern and contemporary art. Touching on current debates about cultural institutions, collections, funding and audiences, this 11-week course provides an in-depth examination of Tate as it is today, offering a rare opportunity to hear about what goes on behind the scenes and how such a large-scale arts institution operates on a daily basis.
Led by artist and lecturer Michaela Ross, the course is divided into ten sessions including a half-term break with an optional visit to Tate Stores, where the collection is housed. Each session encourages discussion around selected topics, including curating, conservation, learning and the visitor’s experience, with several developed around ‘in-conversation’ style presentations from members of staff across the institution. Participants are encouraged to individually or collectively conduct an ongoing research project to be shared for reflection with the rest of the group in the final sessions of the course.
This year’s course is primarily based at Tate Britain and includes visits to exhibitions such as Paul Nash and Turner Prize 2016, as well as the new Tate Modern.
- Download the full syllabus for this year’s course [PDF, 99 Kb]. Please note that this is subject to change before the start of the course.
Biography
Dr Michaela Ross is an artist and lecturer who completed her PhD at the University of the Arts researching the relationship between the artist and the institution and recent developments in fine-art pedagogy. She has collaborated with museums and galleries including Tate, the Serpentine Gallery and Nottingham Contemporary and has worked on international projects as part of Critical Practice, a cluster of artists, academics and researchers based at Chelsea College of Art and Design. She is a teaching fellow at King’s College and visiting scholar at the University of the Arts London.
Organised in collaboration with the Department of Culture, Media and Creative Industries, King’s College London
This event is produced by Tate Gallery on behalf of Tate Enterprises Ltd.