Art and Social Practice MA

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
Opportunity to engage with fellow students, professional practitioners, academics and organisations committed to the field of socially engaged art
Project work will be based around your own interests, networks and location
Opportunity to join in the Virtual Symposium, an international forum for students, artists and organisations. Initiated by Shetland College UHI, the symposium is hosted in collaboration with other universities
The course is delivered virtually, using a combination of seminars and tutorials (available in real-time or recordings) and scheduled discussions with tutors and fellow students through our virtual learning environment, so you can study flexibly, where it suits you, in the UK and internationally
You can study individual modules for personal or professional development, or work towards the PgCert, PgDip or masters degree.

How long will my course last?

Full-time: 15 months
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.