MA Art & Politics

This programme will help you to understand a range of empirical, aesthetic and conceptual issues which traverse and exceed both 'art' and 'international' politics.

Why study MA Art and Politics at Goldsmiths?

• You’ll explore practices and issues related to public space, democracy, equality, participation and justice.
• You’ll also examine a range of practices and strategies which, in the encounter between art and politics, play out in numerous forms and very different kinds of social spaces.
• We'll encourage you to develop frameworks and spaces that are mixed and mobile, and which can operate in trans-disciplinary settings. You'll join students from a range of backgrounds and disciplines, meaning that questions about ‘autonomy’ and the political character of art take on renewed vigour and urgency.
• You’ll investigate art’s potential in times of political and cultural crisis. Why do contemporary art practices increasingly claim ‘political’ origins and motivations, while political parties seek the involvement of art and artists of all kinds? What good are practices that are neither art nor politics?
• You’ll be able to choose from option modules covering topics such as gender politics, human rights, international relations and the politics of space, so you can focus on areas of particular interest to you.

Careers

Our graduates come from diverse disciplinary backgrounds and embark on highly contrasting career paths. These include careers in curating (both independent and embedded); art practice (both collaborative and individual); journalism (radio, web and print journalism); performing arts; central and local government; work with NGOs (national and international); research (academic and professional); project development, administration and management. Some of our graduates undertake further professional training in law; journalism; education and social work.

Skills

You'll develop: a critical engagement with the broad field of international studies, communication skills, research skills, presentation skills.