The University Museum of Contemporary Art’s annual Curatorial Fellowship exhibition has been the culmination of a year-long independent project for course credit, conducted by Art History graduate students in collaboration with the Art History Graduate Program. Featuring works pulled primarily from the UMCA’s permanent collection, the exhibition demonstrates the strength and diversity of over 3000 works of art on paper held by UMass. Students research objects; write labels, text panels, a press release, an exhibition announcement, and website information; write and submit a grant application; write and design a brochure; help design the exhibition layout and work on the installation; and assist with all other aspects of exhibition development.

The Curatorial Fellowship is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the intellectual and practical tasks of curation in a museum setting. It has provided students with hands on experience and highly valuable skills in the job market.

Beginning in 2015 the UMCA invites Studio Arts graduate students to collaborate with their Art History peers through participation in the Curatorial Fellowship exhibition. Working together on a collaborative exhibition project opens a breadth of possibilities for Art History and Studio Arts graduate students and provides a greater range of potential careers after school.

The following are links to the past eight Curatorial Fellowship exhibitions:

2016: The Eyes are For Asking

2015: Body Politic: The Anatomy of the Grotesque

2014: Fractured: The Modern Nude

2013: Shaping the View

2012: The Domestic Sphere Goes Pop

2009: The Minox and The Big Shot: Andy Warhol

2008: The Unexpected Encounters of Looking Again

2007: What Is Love

2006: Word and Image