Art in the Contemporary World

Art in the Contemporary World is a taught masters programme that examines contemporary art practices and their contexts. The course offers an opportunity for focused engagement with the varied challenges presented by today’s most ambitious art. It bridges the relationship between theory and practice by creating exciting study options for artists, curators, writers and other practitioners. We welcome graduates from a variety of backgrounds, including: fine art; art history; philosophy; literature; film studies; architecture; communications; or design; and we are also happy to consider applications from students from other backgrounds.



There are 2 pathways available:

- A ‘theory only’ MA (1 year FT/ 2 year PT);

- A longer theory/ practice MFA.



All students take the theory modules in their first period of study. MA students complete a major research topic (typically a written thesis) by the end of the year; MFA students undertake a further 2 semesters of practice. A key feature of the MFA is that practice is understood in an expanded sense to include not only studio practices (represented by NCAD studio expertise) but also practices facilitated by Visual Culture staff including: curating; critical and creative writing; event organisation.



Course content for the Visual Culture theory modules is divided into four thematic strands:



‘Practices’ explores the range of current international art practices;



‘Situations’ is comprised of elective options addressing social and cultural contexts for art practice today or occasions of interdisciplinary crossover with other fields;



‘Theories’ is a series of seminars focusing on key theoretical approaches relevant to contemporary art;



‘Writing’ explores different models and strategies for writing on art.



Opportunities to Engage

Art in the Contemporary World regularly collaborates with key cultural institutions in Ireland, running courses and events with the Irish Museum of Modern Art; Goethe Institut; Irish Film Institute; Dublin City Gallery; Kerlin Gallery; Paper Visual Art (journal). Art in the Contemporary World functions as a forum for debate on contemporary art theory and practice, regularly hosting public events involving course participants. In past years guests at such events have included: Massimiliano Gioni, curator of the Venice Biennale, 2013, and Director of Exhibitions at the New Museum, New York; Katrina Brown, director of The Common Guild, Glasgow; Frieze magazine senior editor Dan Fox; comedian Stewart Lee; film-maker Kenneth Anger; writer Rebecca Solnit; art critic Irving Sandler; and artists Lynda Benglis, Liam Gillick, Susan Philipsz and Walid Raad.



The intellectual and cultural life of Art in the Contemporary World staff and students is mapped on the student website at acw.ie, where details of the activities above can be found as well as recommendations of books, films and music. Art in the Contemporary World also has a residency at Dublin Digital Radio where the team shares ideas and opinion on a regular podcast.



Progression to MFA

The MFA Art in the Contemporary World supports students in developing experimental and theoretical research and practice. Participants interrogate the conditions and possibilities of creative production and cultural practices and produce a body of work that is distinct to those typically produced within Fine Art postgraduate programmes at NCAD.



The work undertaken on the MFA will typically have an experimental and critical character, and will explore the diverse ways in which contemporary research and practice meet their audiences. Institutional collaboration or engagement will be a significant feature of final projects. The research may involve curatorial activities; engagement with archives, collections and museums; writing and publishing practices; as well as forms of performance and audio-visual production and discursive events such as seminars.



During the MFA phase of the programme, students take on significant responsibility for the shaping of their own studies by setting briefs, identifying core themes and commitments, developing the techniques of presentation and designing their own learning. The MFA ACW places special emphasis on collaboration and welcomes students working in forms of collaborative practice. Students are supported in recognising their activities as an expanded research driven practice. This form of practice will have distinct and defined parameters that are adjacent to, whilst being distinct from, studio-based art practices, as well as connecting with peers engaged in parallel pursuits.



MFA Submission

Students submit projects based on critical and theoretical research in the field of contemporary art and culture with material outputs such as:

• curatorial projects and practices

• publishing and experimental art writing

• scholarly writing

• broadcasting / podcasting

• documentary / essay film

• performative or live presentations (including educational / discursive public events)

• representations of collaborative practice.



Students are guided and supported closely to establish a submission of an appropriate scale and format. Staff consider various factors such as learning hours and ambition when giving this guidance.



Not supported MFA submissions

Studio-based art practices such as those operating within recognised Fine Art disciplines and primarily oriented towards gallery presentation



For example: a researcher with a painting practice will not be guided in the development of their work in a material, or technical mode but will be supported, instead, in developing the theoretical and research coordinates of that practice.



Students are encouraged to present the outcomes of their research as a collection of elements such as, for example, publication, curated presentation or live event rather than as a single, final exhibition such as a degree show.

MA / MFA Trimester 1:

PGVC1001 Introduction to Research Practices

PGVC1002 Contemporary Art Practices: Discourses of Art

PGVC1003 Situations 1: Elective Seminar Options

PGVC1004 Situations 2: Elective Seminar Options

PGVC1005 Key Theories: 20th Century Foundations

PGVC1006 Art and Writing: Varieties of Criticism



MA / MFA Trimester 2:

PGVC1007 Contemporary Art Practices: Mediums of Art

PGVC1008 Situations 3: Elective Seminar Options OR PGVC1009 Situations 4: Elective Seminar Options OR PGVC1010 Design Mediation OR PGVC1011 Futures

PGVC1012 Key Theories 3 Making Publics

PGVC1013 Key Theories 4 The Politics of Participation

PGVC1014 Art and Writing 2 The Practice of Writing



MA Trimester 3:

PGVC1015 Public Promulgation of Research

PGVC1016 Making Research Public

PGVC1017 ACW Major Research Project/Thesis



MFA Trimester 3:

PGVC2001 Contexts for Contemporary Practice

PGVC2002 Experimenting and Designing Practice



MFA Trimester 4:

PGVC2003 Professional Development

PGVC2004 Major Practice Project

All applicants are expected to present an approved Bachelor degree at minimum level of 2nd class honours (2.2)



Applicants who do not meet the minimum academic entry requirements may be considered on the basis of prior work or learning experience (RPEL). Candidates may be required to pass a qualifying examination set by the relevant department before being accepted to a Masters degree programme. Attendance at selected undergraduate lecture courses at NCAD, together with related written work may be prescribed.



You may apply for the programme if you are currently completing your Undergraduate Degree. NCAD will review the rest of your application If necessary, we can make you a Conditional Offer. When your degree is completed and you send us final transcripts we will upgrade this to a Full Offer.



Essential Supporting Documents

• A Statement of Interest - 500 words framing your reasons for applying to the programme.

• 1 Example of previous written work,

• A recent CV

• Certified transcripts of previous programmes followed

• Certified copies of degree/ certificates and/or other appropriate third level qualifications bearing the official stamp of the institution.

• Academic Reference (Head of School/Department preferred), or if you graduated more than 4 years' ago you may alternatively submit an employer reference.

- Some referees prefer to submit the reference directly to the college. If this is the case, please instruct your referee to email a standard reference to postgraduate@ncad.ie.

- Please make sure all references contain the letterhead and the institution contact email address for the referee.



• English Language Proficiency certificate.

- This is only required if English is not your first language.



English Language Requirements

All programmes in NCAD are taught through English. International Applicants are asked to provide proof of their English Language Proficiency.



Full details of acceptable tests and the standard required can be found at the following link: https://www.ncad.ie/study-at-ncad/international/english-language-requirement/

Applications are open. Please see "Application Weblink" above.

MA: 90 ECTS credits/Taught Masters/Visual Culture Pathway

MFA: 120 ECTS credits/Theory-Practice Pathway

MA: 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time (Fridays in Year 1). MFA: 2 years.

Programme commences September 2026.

After Your Degree

Graduates from Art in the Contemporary World have gone on to receive international awards and residencies, to take up respected curatorial positions and to publish their writings in prominent academic journals and art magazines.