Contemporary Art Practice - Crawford College of Art & Design

MA in Contemporary Art Practice is an intensive and stimulating taught masters course in Fine Art.



This research-intensive programme enables students to investigate, develop, and position their art practice in a rigorous learning environment. This masters offers innovative approaches to learning, individual studio spaces, access to college workshops and facilities, professional experience through collaborative projects, 1:1 tuition, peer-to-peer exchange, and a bespoke visitor lecture series.



Award

Master of Arts in Contemporary Art Practice (Level 9, 90 ECTS on the National Framework of Qualifications).

The MA in Contemporary Art Practice is a taught programme developed for artists and graduates who wish to expand their art practice by critically interrogating what it means to make art now.



This MA offers artists the opportunity to undertake a deepening of individual research through a trans-disciplinary approach within a supportive and engaged peer environment. The complexity of the contemporary drives the ethos of the course, acting as a stimulus to generate new ways of thinking and being in the world. This programme encourages material experimentation with critical theory enabling participants to reframe and position their research within performance studies, art history, ecology, feminist theory, queer theory, postcolonial/decolonial thought, and curatorial studies. Students are encouraged to develop critical, ambitious bodies of work that fully explore the challenges faced in responding to the multiplicity of contemporary culture and society.

The MA in Contemporary Art Practice welcomes applicants with diverse backgrounds. Those holding a Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree in Fine Art or an associated discipline, with a minimum of an Honours 2.2 (or equivalent) are eligible to apply for the programme. Graduates from other subject areas are invited to apply provided they meet the entry requirements.



Applicants who hold a Level 8 award at pass level or a Level 7 award (or equivalent) may be considered on the basis of significant relevant experience. In certain circumstances mature applicants with professional experience will be considered for eligibility through recognition of prior and experiential learning, policies for which are well established in MTU.



How to Apply:

The MA in Contemporary Art Practice closing date is Tuesday May 6th at 10am.



All applications will be reviewed the week following the deadline, and applicants who are successful in stage 1 of application review will be invited to meet with academic team for interview. Interviews will be held in May.



MA in Contemporary Art Practice operates a rolling closing date, and late applications will continue to be considered up until Tuesday, May 6th at 10am. Note: late applications are not eligible to apply for 2025 Fees scholarship.



Applicants will be required to pay an acceptance fee of €450 online if a place on the course is offered. This fee is deductible from the overall course fee.



Please upload the following supporting documentation with your application:



Sample of Written Work may include one of the following: 1 x chapter of thesis plus full bibliography / an abstract of recent piece of writing/a critical review of a recent show which you consider to be significant.

Statement on your current practice and concerns (Max. 500 words)



How do you think this course would benefit your practice? (Max. 200 words)



Images:

Up to 10 images, saved as a single PDF document (max file size: 20MB)

This should include relevant contextual information (material, dimensions, installation details etc.)



Video:

Video should be uploaded in the form of links to YouTube/Vimeo/personal website where work is hosted.



Maximum of 3 samples, in extracts of no longer than 5 minutes each.



Links can be listed and uploaded as a text document (Word/PDF) along with relevant supporting information (duration, installation details etc.) or listed in the Additional Information field



Note: Choose the format above most suited to your practice and label all files clearly.



What is RPL?

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is when formal recognition is given for what you already know prior to starting on a programme or module. With recognition of prior learning, the focus is on learning and not on experience as such. You can apply for RPL in any MTU accredited programme or module. Programmes which are accredited by professional bodies or any external awarding bodies may have their own procedures for RPL, which you should refer to.

3 semesters, part-time / full-time.