MA Curatorial Practices and the Public Sphere applications and USC Roski Talks

Intensive Master’s-level program in the practice and history of curating studied through the lens of critical theory and the history of art and visual culture; headed by Amelia Jones. With a focus on art historical research, the exhibition of contemporary art and broader conceptions of curating such as performance art programming, instructors with international careers lead students in asking questions about the role of the curator and curating in relation to its publics. Over two years of full-time academic study, students explore modes of curatorial practice in a curriculum combining seminars and professional training, including MA Practicum courses resulting in curating an exhibition or public programs and a master’s thesis.  Courses are led by USC Roski’s Critical Studies faculty which currently includes: Andy Campbell, Amelia Jones, Karen Moss, Rochelle Steiner, and Noura Wedell.   

The MA program can also be combined with a Master of Planning in a dual-degree program offered by USC Roski and the USC Price School of Public Policy to pair knowledge of planning, community development, and administration with an understanding of urban public space.

The Visiting Artist and Scholar Seminar and the Resident Artists and Scholars Program bring in internationally and nationally known artists, curators, and scholars to work directly with the MA and MFA students throughout each semester. Recent and planned visitors include Nayland Blake, Tania Bruguera, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, Minerva Cuevas, Theaster Gates, Lynn Hershman Leeson, Julia Mehretu, Senga Nengudi, Pepon Osorio, Mira Schor, and Hamza Walker.

Recent Roski MA Curatorial Practices alums work in galleries and museums including the California African American Museum; Getty Research Institute; Hauser & Wirth, LA; LACMA; Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE); Ben Maltz Gallery, Otis College of Art and Design; Prospect, New Orleans; Rhizome, NY; The Underground Museum, and the Whitney Museum.

USC Roski graduate students take full advantage of faculty across the university—including USC’s six world-renowned major arts schools—and the huge range of art events across Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Students engage via classes and fieldtrips with visiting artists, curators, and scholars and in internships with galleries, museums, studios, and alternative venues for art and performance art across the city and beyond.   

Admission information 
For more details, contact: penelope [​at​] usc.edu

Watt Hall 104
University Park Campus
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0292

USC Roski Announces Roski Talks spring 2018 lecture series
Roski Talks are free, open to the public, and take place at the USC Graduate Fine Arts Building, 6-8pm, unless otherwise noted.

January 12, 6pm and January 13, 10am
Live Artists Live Simultaneity. Performance Festival with artists Nao Bustamante, Beatriz Cortez, Rafa Esparza, Marcus Kuiland-Nazario, Carlos Martiel, Mickey Negrón, Gabriela Ruiz, and Dorian Wood; and scholars Andy Campbell, Amelia Jones, Diana Taylor, and Noura Wedell. Reservations required at visionsandvoices.usc.edu

January 19, 7pm, at USC Wong Auditorium
Artist Senga Nengudi, whose practice includes performance, sculpture, and choreography, in conversation with scholars Elissa Auther and Amelia Jones. Exhibition reception follows at the USC Fisher Museum of Art; reservations for reception required by Jan 15 to scamli@usc.edu.

January 24, 7pm, at California African American Museum
Artist Theaster Gates presents a dynamic conversation on cultural development and neighborhood transformation. Reservations required at visionsandvoices.usc.edu

February 27
A talk with Patty Chang, performance artist and professor of art, Roski School of Art and Design.

March 6
A talk with Tavia Nyong’o, cultural critic, historian, and performance studies scholar, as well as professor of African American Studies, American Studies, and Theater Studies, Yale University.

March 20 
A talk with Minerva Cuevas, installation, video, and photography artist from Mexico.

April 3
A talk with Hamza Walker, curator and executive director of LAXART, Los Angeles.

April 18, 7:30pm, at ICA
Talk with Leslie Hewitt, photography, sculpture, and site-specific installation artist.