The Visual Arts Department offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Arts in Contemporary Art Theory (MA).
The program is bilingual and is intended to develop research capability in various fields of contemporary art history and focus on graduating academics specializing in the areas of contemporary art, contemporary visual culture (cinema, television, internet) and visual theory. In accordance with University of Ottawa policy, students may choose to complete written assignments, examinations, and studio critiques in either English or French.
The program is one year in length and is offered on a full-time basis only.
The programs are governed by the academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.
For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.
Applicants should have an honours BA in Art History, or an equivalent, with a minimum A- (80%) average in the last two years of study, calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines. Applicants who do not have an honours degree in Art History may in suitable cases be recommended by the Visual Arts Department for admission to a qualifying program. Such applicants are usually honours graduates in another subject field.
Note: Honours BA implies four years of university studies.
Languages Requirements
Most seminars are bilingual “where English and French are used in a balanced way in the teaching of the course. Students can use the language of their choice, but they must at least understand the other language orally and in writing.” In accordance with the University of Ottawa regulation, assignments, examinations, and research papers can be produced in either English or French.
Proficiency in one of the two official languages (English or French) and at least a passive knowledge of the other official language, that is, the ability to read and understand it.
Requirements for this program have been modified. Please consult the 2022-2023 calendars for the previous requirements.
MA in Contemporary Art Theory with Major Research Paper
The master’s program with major research paper consists of 15 course units and a major research paper.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| ART 5971 | Art and Cultural Theory | 3 Units |
| ART 5118 | Special Topics in Contemporary Art Theory | 3 Units |
| ART 6972 | Art and Its Mediation | 3 Units |
| ART 6973 | The Work of Art in Context | 3 Units |
| Elective courses | ||
| 3 course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Special Topics in History and Theory of Art | ||
| Special Topics in Contemporary Art Theory 1 | ||
| Professional Internship | ||
| Special Topics in Arts, Heritage and Policy | ||
3 course units from a secondary discipline 2 | ||
| Major Research Paper | ||
| MRP 6999 | Major Research Paper | |
Note(s)
- 1
The topic must be different from the one taken as compulsory course.
- 2
The choice of this course is approved by the supervisor to ensure that students have all the necessary theoretical foundations for their research paper.
MA in Contemporary Art Theory with Course Option
A one-year MA program consists of 24 course units of courses to be completed in three trimesters (twelve months), or even two trimesters if the courses are taken in the fall or winter semesters.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Compulsory courses | ||
| ART 5971 | Art and Cultural Theory | 3 Units |
| ART 5118 | Special Topics in Contemporary Art Theory | 3 Units |
| ART 6972 | Art and Its Mediation | 3 Units |
| ART 6973 | The Work of Art in Context | 3 Units |
| Elective courses | ||
| 3 course units from: | 3 Units | |
| Special Topics in History and Theory of Art | ||
| Special Topics in Contemporary Art Theory 1 | ||
| Professional Internship | ||
| Special Topics in Arts, Heritage and Policy | ||
3 courses units from the special topics in History and Theory of Arts | ||
| 9 course units from secondary disciplines 2 | 9 Units | |
Note(s)
- 1
The topic must be different from the one taken as compulsory course.
- 2
Students may take up to 9 course units from secondary disciplines from programs with which Visual Arts has an agreement: Department of Communication, Department of English, Department of Philosophy, Département de français, the School of Information Studies and the Institute of Feminist and Gender Studies.
Research at the University of Ottawa
Located in the heart of Canada’s capital, a few steps away from Parliament Hill, the University of Ottawa ranks among Canada’s top 10 research universities. Our research is founded on excellence, relevance and impact and is conducted in a spirit of equity, diversity and inclusion.
Our research community thrives in four strategic areas:
- Creating a sustainable environment
- Advancing just societies
- Shaping the digital world
- Enabling lifelong health and wellness
From advancing healthcare solutions to tackling global challenges like climate change, the University of Ottawa’s researchers are at the forefront of innovation, making significant contributions to society and beyond.
Research at the Faculty of Arts
The Faculty of Arts is proud of the state of the art research conducted by its professors. In the spirit of showcasing its research to the university community as well as to the general public, the Faculty has created three activities: Dean's Lecture Series, Treasures of the Library, and Excellence Lectures.
Facilities, Research Centres and Institutes at the Faculty of Arts
- Centre de recherche en civilisation canadienne-française,
- Institute of Indigenous Research and Studies,
- Institute for Science, Society and Policy,
- Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute (OLBI)
- Morisset Library.
For more information, refer to the list of faculty members and their research fields on Uniweb.
IMPORTANT: Candidates and students looking for professors to supervise their thesis or research project can also consult the website of the faculty or department of their program of choice. Uniweb does not list all professors authorized to supervise research projects at the University of Ottawa.
ART 5063 Atelier indépendant / Independent Studio (6 crédits / 6 units)
Pratique en atelier avec un projet d'initiative personnelle, sous la direction du professeur. Les étudiants doivent faire approuver leur proposition de projet au début de la session. À la fin de la session, ils présentent leur projet complété devant un jury de professeurs réguliers. / Self-directed studio practice under the guidance of a professor. Students must have their project proposal approved at the beginning of the session and, at the end of the session, they must present their completed project to a jury of regular professors.
Volet / Course Component: Laboratoire / Laboratory
ART 5115 Special Topics in History and Theory of Art (3 units)
Topics chosen from among historical or theoretical questions of current concern.
Course Component: Seminar
ART 5118 Special Topics in Contemporary Art Theory (3 units)
Topics chosen from among theoretical questions of current concern in contemporary art.
Course Component: Seminar
ART 5515 Thèmes choisis en histoire et théorie de l'art (3 crédits)
Thèmes choisis parmi les questions historiques ou théoriques d'intérêt actuel.
Volet : Séminaire
ART 5518 Thèmes choisis en théorie d’art contemporain (3 crédits)
Étude d'un thème choisi parmi les questions théoriques d'intérêt actuel en art contemporain.
Volet : Séminaire
ART 5900 Stage professionnel / Professional Internship (3 crédits / 3 units)
Stage dans un musée, une galerie, un conseil de recherche, un établissement d'archives ou autre site approuvé. Evalué par un professeur basé sur le rapport écrit final de l'étudiant situant son expérience de stage professionnel dans un contexte théorique. Noté S (satisfaisant) ou NS (non satisfaisant). Durée : 150 heures. / Internship at a museum, gallery, research council, archives site or other approved location. Evaluated by a professor based on the student's final written report, situating their professional internship experience within a theoretical framework. Graded S (Satisfactory) / NS (Not satisfactory). Duration: 150 hours.
Volet / Course Component: Stage / Work Term
Préalable : une solide connaissance théorique en art contemporain et en pratique d'exposition et approbation écrite du programme. / Prerequisite: A strong theoretical foundation in contemporary art and exhibition practice and written approval from the program.
ART 5915 Thèmes choisis en histoire et théorie de l'art / Special Topics in History and Theory of art (3 crédits / 3 units)
Thèmes choisis parmi les questions historiques ou théoriques d'intérêt actuel. / Topics chosen from among historical or theoretical questions of current concern.
Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar
ART 5916 Sujets spéciaux dans le domaine des arts, du patrimoine et des politiques culturelles / Special Topics in Arts, Heritage and Policy (3 crédits / 3 units)
Introduction aux politiques culturelles principales qui déterminent la gestion, la représentation et la préservation des arts et du patrimoine au Canada. / Introduction to the key cultural policies that determine the management, representation and preservation of arts and heritage in Canada
Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar
ART 5918 Thèmes choisis en théorie d’art contemporain / Special Topics in Contemporary Art Theory (3 crédits / 3 units)
Étude d'un thème choisi parmi les questions théoriques d'intérêt actuel en art contemporain / Topics chosen from among theoretical questions of current concern in contemporary art.
Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar
ART 5961 Atelier intégré I / Intergrate Studio I (3 crédits / 3 units)
Pratique en atelier sous la direction d'un professeur. Participation régulière à des critiques, à des discussions de groupe à partir de lectures et de présentations d'artistes et de théoriciens invités, de visites d'expositions, et ce, afin d'acquérir une compréhension élargie des pratiques artistiques contemporaines et des questions soulevées par le travail personnel des étudiants. / Studio practice under the guidance of a professor. Participation in regular critiques, group discussions, based on readings and presentations by visiting lecturers and visits to exhibitions, in order to develop a wide-ranging understanding of contemporary artistic practice and of issues arising within individual student work.
Volet / Course Component: Laboratoire / Laboratory
ART 5962 Atelier intégré II / Intergrate Studio II (3 crédits / 3 units)
Pratique en atelier sous la direction d'un professeur. Participation à des critiques, à des discussions de groupe à partir de lectures et de présentations d'artistes et de théoriciens invités et à de visites d'expositions, afin d'acquérir une compréhension élargie des pratiques artistiques contemporaines et des questions soulevées par le travail personnel des étudiants. / Studio practice under the guidance of a professor. Participation in critiques, group discussions based on readings and presentations by visiting lecturers and visits to exhibitions, in order to develop a wide-randing understanding of contemporary artistic practice and of issues arising within individual work.
Volet / Course Component: Laboratoire / Laboratory
ART 5971 Art et théories culturelles / Art and Cultural Theory (3 crédits / 3 units)
Étude des principaux courants de la pensée contemporaine et de leur impact sur les productions et les théories artistiques : le structuralisme, le poststructuralisme, les théories postmodernes, postcolonialistes, féministes, etc. / Study of the principal modes of contemporary thought including structuralism, poststructuralism, postmodernism, postcoloniaslim, feminism etc., and examination of their impact on artistic production and theory.
Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar
ART 6964 Pratique avancée en atelier I / Advanced Studio I (3 crédits / 3 units)
Pratique en atelier avec présentations individuelles et critiques, lectures et recherches personnelles. Approfondissement de l'expérience artistique de l'étudiant et de sa connaissance du contexte contemporain dans lequel se situe sa propre production artistique. / Studio practice with individual presentations and critiques, independent readings and research. Development of student artistic practice as well as of knowledge of the contemporary context within which the student's own artistic work is situated.
Volet / Course Component: Laboratoire / Laboratory
ART 6965 Pratique avancée en atelier III / Advanced Studio II (3 crédits / 3 units)
Pratique en atelier avec présentations individuelles et critiques, lectures et recherches personnelles. Les étudiants approfondissent leur expérience artistique et leur connaissance du contexte contemporain dans lequel se situent leurs propres oeuvres artistiques. / Studio practice with individual presentations and critiques, independent readings and research. Development of student artistic practice as well as of knowledge of the contemporary context within which the student's own artistic work is situated.
Volet / Course Component: Laboratoire / Laboratory
ART 6972 L'oeuvre et sa médiation / Art and Its Mediation (3 crédits / 3 units)
Étude des différents modes de diffusion des oeuvres d'art et l'analyse de leur impact sur l'interprétation : la mise en exposition, la documentation, la diffusion dans les médias écrits, visuels et électroniques. / The mechanisms and processes for the distribution of works of art and their impact on viewer reception and interpretation: exhibitions, archives, documentation; the diffusion of art through print, visual and electronic media.
Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar
ART 6973 L'oeuvre mise en contexte théorique / The Work of Art in Context (3 crédits / 3 units)
Mise en contexte des productions artistiques des étudiants en regard des pratiques artistiques contemporaines; analyse de leurs enjeux théoriques. Chaque étudiant travaillera sur le texte qui devra accompagner sa présentation de thèse. / Examination of students' artistic productions within the context of contemporary artistic practice and theory. Each student will work on the support paper to accompany their thesis presentation.
Volet / Course Component: Séminaire / Seminar
ART 6999 Mémoire / Major Research Paper
Mémoire d'une longueur de 50 pages (sans compter la bibliographie) préparé sous la direction d'un ou deux membres du corps professoral choisis en accord avec la personne responsable des études supérieures. Le mémoire est évalué par le ou les personnes qui l'ont dirigé et un autre membre du corps professoral. Noté S (satisfaisant) / NS (non satisfaisant). / Research paper (about 50 pages, excluding the bibliography) prepared under the direction of one or two professors chosen in consultation with the director of graduate studies. The paper is evaluated by the (co-)supervisor(s) and another professor. Graded S (Satisfactory)/NS (Not satisfactory).
Volet / Course Component: Recherche / Research
ART 7999 Présentation de thèse / Thesis Presentation (12 crédits / 12 units)
Guidé par leur directeur de thèse, les étudiants préparent leur présentation de thèse et mettent au point la soutenance orale de la présentation. La présentation de thèse doit se tenir avant la fin de la dernière session d'inscription à ART 7999. Des renseignements détaillés sur la présentation de thèse sont disponibles sur le site web du programme. / Under the direction of their Thesis Supervisor, students will complete their Thesis Presentation, and finalize preparations for its oral defense. The Thesis Presentation must take place by the end of the final session of registration in ART 7999. Details on the thesis presentation are provided on the program website.
Volet / Course Component: Recherche / Research