The program provides graduate level knowledge and competence in art studies, an interdisciplinary field that bridges historical, theoretical, and curatorial perspectives and methods. The program caters to individuals looking for advancement in careers in the academe, art writing and criticism, research, education, museum work, art management, curatorship, cultural work, and art production.
All students taking the program will be required to take core courses that will provide a foundation in the field of art studies.
Core Courses (9 u.):
| Art Stud 202 | Perspectives in Art Studies in the Philippines |
| Art Stud 203 | Frameworks and Methods in Art Studies |
| Art Stud 299 | Research |
Depending on their goals, students may choose from two tracks: Histories and Theories of Art (Thesis or Non-Thesis Plan) and Curatorial Studies.
MA Art Studies (Histories and Theories of Art)
This track is for students seeking to advance their knowledge of the histories and theories of art with a focus on the Philippines. This track was developed for those aiming to develop skills in academic research and writing with an interdisciplinary bent. To suit their specific research interests, students are given a wide array of options for electives.
The following are the additional required courses, aside from the core courses:
Thesis Plan
Major Courses (6 units):
| Art Stud 245 | Readings in Histories and Theorizations of Art |
| Art Stud 252 | Seminar on Issues in Art Studies |
Choice of two from the following:
| Art Stud 201 | Image of the Filipino in the Arts |
| Art Stud 210 | Convergences in Philippine Art (Early History to Spanish Period) |
| Art Stud 270 | Philippine Art and Society |
| Art Stud 271 | Issues and Perspectives in the Arts of Philippine Living Traditions |
| Art Stud 272 | Philippine Painting |
| Art Stud 273 | Philippine Sculpture |
| Art Stud 274 | Philippine Cinema |
| Art Stud 275 | Philippine Music |
| Art Stud 276 | Philippine Dance |
| Art Stud 277 | Philippine Architecture |
| Art Stud 278 | Perspectives in Modern and Contemporary Arts in the Philippines |
| Art Stud 298 | Special Problems in Philippine Art |
Choice of two from the following:
| Art Stud 213 | Aesthetics and Art Theories in Contemporary Cultures |
| Art Stud 240 | Readings in Art History |
| Art Stud 250 | Art Historiography |
| Art Stud 255 | Art Criticism |
| Art Stud 281 | Issues and Perspectives in Curatorial Studies in the Philippines |
| Art Stud 282 | Curatorial Mediations in Culture and Arts Governance |
| Art Stud 283 | Arts Market and Audience |
| Art Stud 284 | Contexts and Platforms of Curatorial Practice |
| Art Stud 285 | The Formation and Engagement of Publics in Curatorial Practice |
| Art Stud 287 | Archival Practices in Art Studies |
| Art Stud 288 | Critical Practice in Arts Management |
Thesis (6 u.)
Non-Thesis Plan
Major Courses (9 units):
| Art Stud 245 | Readings in Histories and Theorizations of Art |
| Art Stud 252 | Seminar on Issues in Art Studies |
| Art Stud 298 | Special Problems in Philippine Art |
Choice of four from the following:
| Art Stud 201 | Image of the Filipino in the Arts |
| Art Stud 210 | Convergences in Philippine Art (Early History to Spanish Period) |
| Art Stud 270 | Philippine Art and Society |
| Art Stud 271 | Issues and Perspectives in the Arts of Philippine Living Traditions |
| Art Stud 272 | Philippine Painting |
| Art Stud 273 | Philippine Sculpture |
| Art Stud 274 | Philippine Cinema |
| Art Stud 275 | Philippine Music |
| Art Stud 276 | Philippine Dance |
| Art Stud 277 | Philippine Architecture |
| Art Stud 278 | Perspectives in Modern and Contemporary Arts in the Philippines |
Choice of two from the following:
| Art Stud 213 | Aesthetics and Art Theories in Contemporary Cultures |
| Art Stud 240 | Readings in Art History |
| Art Stud 250 | Art Historiography |
| Art Stud 255 | Art Criticism |
| Art Stud 281 | Issues and Perspectives in Curatorial Studies in the Philippines |
| Art Stud 282 | Curatorial Mediations in Culture and Arts Governance |
| Art Stud 283 | Arts Market and Audience |
| Art Stud 284 | Contexts and Platforms of Curatorial Practice |
| Art Stud 285 | The Formation and Engagement of Publics in Curatorial Practice |
| Art Stud 287 | Archival Practices in Art Studies |
| Art Stud 288 | Critical Practice in Arts Management |
MA Art Studies (Curatorial Studies)
This track is for students seeking to advance their knowledge and competencies in the field of curation with a focus on Philippine and Asian contexts. This track is geared toward individuals interested in starting or furthering their career in museum, heritage, and cultural work, as well as those engaged in alternative curatorial platforms.
The following are the additional required courses, aside from the core courses:
Major Courses (9 u.):
| Art Stud 281 | Issues and Perspectives in Curatorial Studies in the Philippines |
| Art Stud 284 | Contexts and Platforms of Curatorial Practice |
| Art Stud 285 | The Formation and Engagement of Publics in Curatorial Practice |
| Art Stud 282 | Curatorial Mediations in Culture and Arts Governance |
| Art Stud 283 | Arts Market and Audience |
| Art Stud 287 | Archival Practices in Art Studies |
| Art Stud 288 | Critical Practice in Arts Management |
| Art Stud 210 | Convergences in Philippine Art (Early History to Spanish Period) |
| Art Stud 212 | Histories and Theorizations of Art |
| Art Stud 240 | Readings in Art History |
| Art Stud 245 | Readings in Histories and Theorizations of Art |
| Art Stud 250 | Art Historiography |
| Art Stud 252 | Seminar on Issues in Art Studies |
| Art Stud 255 | Art Criticism |
| Art Stud 270 | Philippine Art and Society |
| Art Stud 271 | Issues and Perspectives in the Arts of Philippine Living Traditions |
| Art Stud 278 | Perspectives in Modern and Contemporary Arts in the Philippines |
| Art Stud 298 | Special Problems in Philippine Art |
Thesis (6 u.)
Note: The curricula listed above are from the revisions approved in 2024. Batches starting SY 2024-2025 will be using these curricula.
Checklists for the curricula of batches prior to SY 2024-2025 are as follows:
Image header from Ms. Merselle Montes of the University Collections Mapping (UCM) Project