noprovenance

I think you're focusing on the wrong issue. Did you read the Chronicle article linked to above? The issue is not stipend funding, and no one is proposing that one should profit off their graduate education stipend. In Wisconsin, the university system is being undermined by the political climate and faculty are suffering because of it. Talented faculty members are being denied tenure and those who already have it are leaving because it effectively is meaningless there anymore. Ultimately, art history professors will leave for brighter, more secure pastures like their peers in other departments, and their advisees will be stuck. It sadly seems like a really easy way to permanent ABD.

You probably won't like this advice, but in your situation, I would reapply next year, and focus on programs that offer funding. If you are interested in doing Modern and Contemporary, then definitely apply to Williams, as they are very generous with their funding (at least in my experience) and have exceptionally high placement rates, both in curatorial positions and academia. You will have trouble getting a curatorial job with an MA from Christie's - most of the people I know who have gone through auction house programs are working either in the marketplace or have various other art world jobs (like communications and social media staff at museums and galleries). You may still have trouble getting a curatorial job even if you go to the IFA, because curatorial (outside of contemporary) is largely a field where one must have a PhD if they wish to succeed. In either situation (Christie's or IFA) you will be spending a ton of money for minimal career and professional returns, especially if you have no idea what you want to do professionally. IFA has a great PhD program (and networking opportunities), but it's not worth funding those PhDs by getting your MA there, because you won't get the personal attention that MAs in other programs do.

Not among those who applied, but unless you are independently wealthy or have work paying for the program (i.e. the Met is covering your tuition for your MA) then I would not attend Columbia's MA program, and happen to know that many of the professors who teach there agree. PM me if you want more information.

I would think long and hard about your professional goals and whether BU is going to be the best place for them. If the Williams offer is unfunded, then it's certainly more tempting to take the BU offer. I'm in a slightly different situation - I only applied to MA programs and was accepted and funded at Williams. All of the professors and museum professionals that I've spoken with about it have basically said that a degree from Williams is the gold standard, and that it will definitely help to open the door to the doctoral program of my choice. One former visiting professor at Williams told me that the year they were there, the program sent 3 students to Harvard and 2 to Yale, and there are currently at least 6 Columbia doctoral candidates who went through the program, or attended Williams as undergrads. If you are happy going to BU and are happy with the job prospects that will bring, then go for it, but if your goal is HYP, then Williams would certainly help.