MA in Critical and Curatorial Studies of Contemporary Art

The MA in Critical and Curatorial Studies of Contemporary Art (CCSCA) is a two-year international graduate program that offers a practice-oriented and research-inspired approach to the study of contemporary art and curating, with a focus on Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region. The call for applications for Fall 2026 will be open from February 2 until April 30, 2026.

Given Taiwan’s central geographical location and its growing importance as a vibrant and diverse artistic hub in Asia, CCSCA is well positioned to facilitate the study of art and curating in East and Southeast Asia, as well as in the Pacific region. Through an integrated approach to learning and teaching, CCSCA offers professional training that combines critical thinking, research, and art writing skills with both scholarly and practical knowledge of art and exhibition-making.

The key teaching areas of CCSCA—art history, art criticism, curatorial studies, museum studies and creative industries—are designed to provide students with an understanding of key issues that shape how art is practiced, presented, and received; the diverse histories of art in the region; different genres of art writing; and the history and practice of exhibitions and curating. In addition to on-campus seminars and lectures, the program is structured around workshops, internships, extensive industry engagements, and international partnerships, as well as local and overseas study trips. Beyond core and elective courses, students may choose to either complete a research dissertation or curate an exhibition as their capstone project.

CCSCA also offers students the opportunity to meet and engage with visiting scholars, art practitioners, curators, and industry experts who are regularly invited to deliver guest lectures. In 2025, guest speakers hosted by CCSCA included Abby Chen (Asian Art Museum of San Francisco) and Roger Nelson (Nanyang Technological University). CCSCA students engaged in exchanges with students from the MA in Global Art at Tokyo University of the Arts and the MA in Curating and Cultural Leadership at the University of New South Wales. In 2026, CCSCSA entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the MA in Global Arts, Tokyo University of Arts, establishing a partnership to further collaboration over the next three years. 

CCSCA’s program is delivered in partnership with the university’s art venues where exhibitions curated by CCSCA students are staged. The program also provides students with a writing platform, Southerly, which features essays, reviews, interviews, and experimental forms of art writing.

The Program Director, Professor LU Pei-Yi was appointed Chief Curator of the 10th Asian Art Biennial, which will take place this coming November at National Taiwan Museum of Fine Art. Assistant Professor Thanavi Chotpradit will co-host an art writing workshop in Manila, the Philippines, this coming May, with support from a British Academy Writing Workshop Alumni Grant.

The program’s integrated approach to learning and teaching ensures that, upon completion, students are well equipped with transferable scholarly and professional skills and knowledge to embark on future careers as exhibition organizers, curators, arts educators, writers and researchers in museums, galleries, and other art and creative sectors around the world.

Language of instruction: English.

Program highlights:
– Affordable tuition fee (approximately 3500 USD per year)
​– Focus on contemporary art and curating in the Asia-Pacific region
​– Integration of scholarly research with professional training and practice
​– Local field excursions and overseas study trips
​– Internship opportunities
​– Scholarship opportunities
– On-campus Chinese language training program 

Applicants are required to submit the following:
– University/College Certificate or Degree/Diploma
– A statement of motivation and research interests (no more than two A4 pages)
– Study plan
– Other documents that may facilitate the review process
– English proficiency test score (applicable to applicants whose first language is not English)

Full program details are available on the CCSCA website, and you can follow program updates and activities on Facebook and Instagram. Those who are interested in applying are encouraged to submit an online application by April 30, 2026. For enquiries, please contact our Program Assistant via email at ccsca [​at​] mail.ntue.edu.tw.