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ne4810

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    PHD Art History

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  1. In terms of grad school programs, I recommend Bard's CCS (Curatorial studies program) if you want to focus on museum work in NYC around contemp, video etc. Its not in the city but is close enough to intern, living is cheaper, but I have no idea about the financial aide situation. I do know that their alumni are littered through the types of places that you might want to work, and not just in curatorial. I have to reiterate the comments about living in NYC on a museum salary though. Some of the points about other cities are very valid. I have a number of classmates from grad school who left NYC when we finished and are now full curators at museums in other cities living well on their salaries, while those of us who remained in NYC are generally at the Assistant Curator level and living on that kind of salary can be really tough. The job market and cost of living in other places can be really attractive. I don't want to scare anyone and obviously I think this is a profession worth pursuing as I continue to blunder about myself, but I think I went into it much too naively, I did not weigh these practical issues has heavily as I should have. Good luck and feel free to message any questions my way.
  2. "It is true that sometimes curators of contemporary art only hold the M.A. degree, but in most other fields (save dec. arts perhaps) if you don't have a Ph.D., don't bother applying, even if the posting may say "M.A. required Ph.D. preferred." As an assistant curator I cannot stress enough how true the above statement is. I already have an MA, and have worked my way up from Curatorial Assistant through the ranks of several major museums over the last seven years. I am actually now applying for the Phd because I cannot move any higher than my present position without one, even though some of my superiors were able to get to where they are with only MAs (and for some of the older generation not even that), but for someone in our generation you need a Phd to get the top jobs at marquee institutions in almost every subfield, in any American city at this point. Like anything else there are exceptions, smaller towns, smaller institutions, etc. I'd be happy to respond to any questions about career paths etc.
  3. As a former Met Intern who did one of the unpaid internships for an entire year I have to agree that the paid summer thing, while nice, is not the only route. However I have to disagree that another institution with better responsibilities carries the same weight. As someone in a position to hire interns today I am well aware that all internships are non-glamorous drudge fests, but you can't discount the weight of the Met's name on your resume. I hate saying it but its true. I got my first "real" museum job because of it, and its still on my resume today six years and two museums later. Actually it would look best if you did both internships, one at the Met and one at a smaller institution. In fact do as many as you can, when I go to hire it is often the person with the most practical internship experience, and not the most education that gets the job. Hope that's helpful. Happy to answer any questions I can.
  4. Our test was reading only, no speaking. We had to read and translate a passage into English. This is pretty standard from what other MA grads have told me. For the PHD level its the same deal but more than one language. Hope that helps.
  5. A position opened up working on an exhibition that closely related to my masters thesis. I was lucky enough to hear about it from someone in my MA program, and am working for another graduate of the same program. Networking is the #1 way I can recommend for getting a job, probably tied for #1 is interning. If you want to work in museums, and are lucky enough to have funding or funds for your MA(hence no part time job) intern for as many places, and types of places as you can. I think some masters students don't realize that museum departments are desperate for help, the staff they do have is always overworked in my experience. I got some amazing internships by calling up departments and offering my services for free doing whatever they needed. Basically at the end of the day every museum job opening gets hundreds of applicants with amazing academic credentials, but if you also have the requisite skills from interning (computer progams like TMS and other project management skills unique to the museum/exhibition experience)you are the one who gets that job. I've seen this many times from both sides of the hiring spectrum, both being hired and doing the hiring. I hope that helps a little. I'd be happy to give more info, feel free to PM me.
  6. Wow its exciting to see the first results postings going up for 2010. I didn't end up applying this year, but good luck everyone, looking forward to those acceptances!
  7. I know someone who has done 19th century Latin America at CUNY. Also if its Architectural History that interests you there are professors who specialize in Latin America in the 19th century in specifically arch/history programs. Best recommendation I was ever given:check out any dissertations listed on CAA that seem relevant and go from there. http://www.caareviews.org/dissertations You can search by subject area, and it only lists those in progress/completed in the last five years. Good luck!
  8. When I applied for my MA, I believe I submitted papers and statements that reflected my interest in the Northern Renaissance. I completly changed my direction (America 20th century), thats an extreme case, but rest assured you can change once you're there! Just a little encouragement!
  9. I also hate to be negative here, but I have to agree with 'obscurefemale' about getting an MA/Phd straight from school. I got my MA a few years ago straight out of undergrad, and was then rejected from my (granted much too limited) Phd list because even then I wasn't as experienced or published as other candidates (thats with an MA mind you). Some of my friends from grad school went straight through to their Phd (which has its own issues), and others have gotten some good experience teaching, publishing, working, and are now happily ensconced at their top choice Phd programs. There is always the possibility that an undergraduate student with excellent recs and internships might get in, as was mentioned previously its really a complicated matrix depending on the department, speciality, etc., but getting additional credentials only helps your chances! I know in the 2009 list there might have been some successful candidates straight from undergrad, but I think 'obscure's' experience is more typical. I hope not too discouraging!
  10. Thank you paperclips for that. This is definitely true, and speaks to finding the place with the professor thats right for you, AND the environment thats right. All important things to keep in mind as we move forward thanks! Fullofpink, is there a particular country or type of painting you are interested in 1700-1900? As paperclips mentioned, the specialty really defines the list!
  11. Don't be nervous RedPotato, when I was getting my masters (which I did straight from undergrad) I had a much easier time of it then some of my "returning" classmates. You are coming from the undergrad trenches, and your study skills are sharp etc, and the admin people know that. And abner thanks for the suggestion, I know the BGC faculty, and they don't really have anyone I'd like to work with, but the program itself is very good. In terms of a list, I definitely think that Courtauld can be on the top rung there, the program is seen very well in the museum and academic communities both here and abroad. I like the idea of a list, one of the reasons I thought we should start our 2010 discussion earlier this year was for this kind of application support!
  12. Wow georgica, that is tough. I am pretty scared by the number of you 2009 people (yes that was me lurking throughout the process) who were shut out this year. I've been out of academia since getting my masters a while ago, and I went through that process like a babe in the woods, I applied to three programs, got in to all three, and went to the one that offered the most money! I wish this time would be so easy, but judging by everyone's experience here, I am getting pretty nervous. Plus my area of interest is slightly more offbeat, I'm into 19th and 20th century architecture and design history; which really limits my options. Also, because of personal reasons, I would prefer not to stray to far from NYC (though I will be applying elsewhere to get enough programs onto my list). Obviously the big ones are attractive, Columbia, NYU, and CUNY all have people I'd love to work with. I too am worried about the safety situation. What connotes a safety if EVERY Phd program is competitive? I think Fullofpink has a good point about looking for even more specific correlations with professors, especially in a field as hot as Mod/Coms. Find the one who wrote "the" monograph on your artist and track them down, no matter the caliber of their institution because at the end of the day the Phd itself is prestigious and this world is so small. People who were repeat appliers in 2009 seemed to suggest asking the programs why they rejected you and following that advice when reworking a packet. Basically I am shooting for a list around 8 as well, both combined art history and architectural history programs and some just architectural history stand alones (most top schools combine them).
  13. I think you were given the best possible advice. In order to curate you need to really know your subject matter, AND know what goes into making an exhibition through practical experience. Plus at the higher levels (full curator/department head etc) in a larger museum, you have someone like me who does all the practical stuff for you and you are free to meet and greet, write, research, and plan exhibitions, basically all the fun stuff! As you can tell I eventually want to get out of the assistant curatorial pit, and get to a place where I can have someone like me working for me! In order to do that in a competitive market, I think I really have to go for the Phd. So thats my story!
  14. Who's already started working on their list? Where are people thinking about? Come out all you 2010'ers...
  15. Fullofpink, as present museum professional, with experience in some large "name-brand" museums, presently considering a return for the PHd I can at least speak to the people I have worked with. Generally speaking any sort of academic museum studies training has not been as important (from a hiring stand point) as a really packed museum resume. I am considering the PHd because I've reached the farthest reaches I can with just an MA, but consistently the people who have been beating me out for the next level have a similar resume to mine, plus a Phd. I don't believe just having a Phd with a museum studies certificate would get you the same position, because in addition to solid academic training in your subject area, museums are looking for experience in the practical aspects of museum work. It sounds to me that with your excellent museum-work resume, additional internships and fellowships during school, and a strong Phd you will be well placed for future job prospects. Sorry for the long response, I am a first time poster, but am planning on being around more as we gear up for the 2010 application season. Good luck, and feel free to ask any questions. Also as an FYI I am presently both working in a museum and as an adjunct professor. There are ways to make things happen! Good luck.
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