Art Museum and Gallery Studies
The study of art museums has traditionally been integrated into the field of museum studies at the University of Leicester. This has been regarded as a strength, with students encouraged to work across the museum-based disciplines and acquire interdisciplinary knowledge. However, over recent years, the need to establish a distinct course of study serving the requirements of the art gallery specialist has become apparent. This need is driven by: research specialisation; meeting professional requirements; and in response to changes that have already begun in this area of study.
Museum studies, as an area of enquiry, now has a history of more than thirty years. Over this period its research profile has matured, offering possibilities for specialisation. Art Museum and Gallery Studies simply enables staff and students to differentiate between art galleries and other kinds of museums where necessary, and to offer a course of study and a programme of research responsive to the particular features of these sectors.
The curriculum has been carefully developed to ensure that all the core areas of skills and knowledge necessary for a career in museums have been maintained with many of these sessions being attended alongside the museum studies students. Art Museum and Gallery Studies students - like those on the Museum Studies programme also undertake a specialist option and a gallery work placement. The changes are subtle, with the new programme in Art Museum and Gallery Studies simply offering us the flexibility to bring an element of specialisation into the core modules. This has been achieved through the inclusion of new, art-specific lectures and seminars, the development of tailored study visits and visiting speakers.
