Program in Fine Art Theory

FINE ARTS - CURATORIAL PRACTICE - MANAGEMENT

The Hungarian University of Fine Arts is presently the only institution of higher education in Hungary where students pursue their studies in all areas of the fine arts.
In the academic year 2009/2010, the Hungarian University of Fine Arts will launch a BA program in Art Theory.
The aim of the new BA program in Art Theory and subsequent MA programs in Art Theory and Art Management is to provide training for the future "operators" of the art world in parallel with art education. Up to this point no such program has existed in Hungary

Presently, in the absence of the appropriate degree program, organisers of the contemporary art scene can only acquire the practical skills and knowledge necessary for exhibiting, archiving and documenting contemporary artworks from solely through their work experience, the BA scheme offers a program of study that offer comprehensive training in the both the practical and theoretical aspects of this work.

The objective of the BA in Art Theory is to coordinate theoretical studies in relation to curatorial practice in the form of an up-to-date educational program which provides a marketable degree and which keeps abreast of the latest results of art theory research.

In addition to the theoretical aspects of curatorial studies, there is also strong emphasis on its practical components (exhibition-making, editing of publications, PR, project financing, submitting applications for funding, organising international programs).
The task of future professionals is to successfully mediate between the artists, the society, art enthusiasts, patrons, art experts and the wider public.

Curriculum

The curriculum has three main modules: techniques of representation, training in exhibition-making and curatorial work, studies in the theory and history of art.

Techniques of Representation is a module built on the practical components of art education. The Hungarian University of Fine Arts is presently the only institution of higher education in Hungary where students pursue their studies in all areas of the fine arts. A unique feature of the program at the HUFA is that students in the art theory program can also acquire the practical training that is based on learning about the various materials, tools, and applied techniques used in making artwork. During studio practice, students familiarise themselves with traditional methods of representation and multiple (drawing, painting, graphic techniques, design, etc.) and the different media (photography, film, video, multimedia). In addition, they also learn about the development of these media from an art historical perspective and gain insight into their theoretical background. Students acquire the basics of a research approach in which art practice and theoretical generalisation refer back to one another. Thus, they do not only participate in the practice of making art, but also acquire a familiarity with the types of materials and technical knowledge - which are indispensable to the work of an artist - at a level that can facilitate a better understanding of the origins and meanings of artwork.

 

Exhibition-Making and Curatorial module is divided into a theoretical and a practical component. During theoretical lectures, students gain insight into the basics of managerial, legal and curatorial aspects of the field. Through their practical studies, students participate in organising and carrying through exhibitions and public events at the University, as well as in preparing various publications and writing reviews and critiques. While the practical training will primarily take place in the HUFA's exhibition spaces and in public venues, students will also have opportunities for gaining hands-on experience in organising programs in external venues as well as in a collaborative framework involving international institutions.

 

Art Theory and Art History module on the one hand offers a traditional, systematised system of art history knowledge, and provides comprehensive information on the Hungarian and international contemporary art scenes. On the other hand, this module reviews the interpretational procedures of the main schools of aesthetics, art theory and philosophy of art. Students become familiar with the conceptual repertoire of traditional and contemporary art theory discourse through working with those cultural-historical and cultural history problems, which aided in laying the foundations for the basic concepts of artistic value, aesthetic judgement and genre distinctions, as well as in the development of theories of systematisation and their retrospective historical legitimisation.

Perspectives/Expected Job Market Demand

As the artistic, theoretical and practical studies of the Art Theory Program primarily refer to the Hungarian art scene, graduates can have a key role in the work of contemporary galleries and exhibition spaces while also being equipped to find employment in the sphere of cultural services, in museums, galleries and art archives. Graduates of the program can fill art management positions, they can participate in the work of cultural and art periodicals and in compiling materials on art theory; in preparing critiques, analyses, and documentation and organising, cultural events (exhibition, fine art lecture series). In other words, students with a degree will be able to undertake high quality, creative work (including the design and implementation of individual projects) in a number of areas within the Hungarian and international cultural spheres. The demand for such experts and professionals is also apparent from the feedback of the institutions as well as from the considerable interest in our new program.

Graduate Studies

The Hungarian University of Fine Arts is preparing MA programs in Art Theory and Art Management which will build on the BA program in a cumulative manner in accordance with the specifications laid down under the section on fine art education in the appendices of the government decree no. 289/2005 (XII. 22).

Course modules /Curriculum:

Basic mandatory requirements / foundation module

Space and Form
Techniques of Representation
Curatorial Studies I-II.
Aesthetics and Art Theory - Propedeutics I-II.
History of Art and Culture - Propedeutics I-II.

Mandatory courses in general and specialised theory/ specialisation core module

Exhibition Practice I-VI.
Curatorial Studies I-IV.
Aesthetics and Art Theory I-VI.
Art History I-VI.

Optionally selected requirements in general and specialised theory (a few courses from the list)

Art Management
Intellectual Property Law
Specialised Academic Writing / Text Comprehension
Introduction to Contemporary Art
Contemporary Hungarian Art
Theory of Technical Media

Faculty/ invited lecturers

László Beke Dr. habil, CSc
Research Institute for Art History of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, director

Barnabás Bencsik
curator, art historian
Ludwig Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art, director

Nikolett Erőss
Trafó - House of Contemporary Arts, curator, art historian

Zoltán Kékesi PhD
historian of literature, Intermedia Department

Frigyes Kőnig Dr. habil
university professor, rector
Artistic Anatomy, Geometry and Projection Department, head of department

Eszter Lázár
curator, art historian

József Mélyi
curator, art historian

Attila Nemes
curator, art historian
Kitchen Budapest

Lívia Páldi
art historian, chief curator at Műcsarnok/Kunsthalle Budapest

Miklós Peternák Dr. habil, CSc
university professor
Intermedia Department, head of department

Zsolt Petrányi
curator, art historian, director of Műcsarnok/Kunsthalle Budapest

Sándor Sólymos Dr. habil
associate professor
Department of Art Theory, head of department

Zoltán Szegedy- Maszák Dr. habil
associate professor, vice-rector of education

János György Szoboszlai PhD
curator, art historian
ACB Gallery of Contemporary Art

Tünde Varga PhD
literary historian, aesthetician, Art Theory Department