Art and Social Practice MA

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI)

What is special about this course?

Are you committed to a career in an art practice that creatively engages with your community? If so, the MA Art and Social Practice* is ideal.

Artists in the 21st century increasingly find themselves working in participatory settings where skills in creative and social engagement are essential. This programme addresses these changing needs and facilitates a shift in thinking away from conventional ideas about where art practices are located and how work is disseminated.

The course offers focused provision enabling you to develop an appropriate level of knowledge and research to inform practical work, together with the critical and analytical processes and technical skills required to effectively deliver a project in the public domain.

Special features

• Taught by an inter-disciplinary team of artists and specialists from social anthropology, curating, art history and theory, who work across a range of local, national and international contexts, from urban centres to remote and small communities
• Students have the option to meet in real life during the annual Winter School located in rotating locations in the Highlands and Islands
• In the final stage of the module students choose their own mentor from local, national or international specialists

How long will my course last?

Full-time: 2 years
Part-time (structured): minimum 3 years
Part-time (unstructured): maximum 6 years

What can I do on completion of my course?

On successful completion of the course, you will be well placed to work freelance, develop your own social enterprise or seek employment in a range of settings such as:

• community development
• health
• museums or education
• the prison service
• day centres
• galleries

You will also be able to work with a range of individuals and participant groups including:

• children
• young people
• older people
• people with learning disabilities
• or those who might be marginalised, such as refugees.