DEPARTMENT OF ARTS STUDIES AND CURATORIAL PRACTICES

The Department of Arts Studies and Curatorial Practices brings together faculty members and students specializing in various artistic genres such as fine arts, music, and visual arts, and their research focuses on various forms of cultural projects such as performances, exhibitions, workshops, and seminars. In an environment that allows students to study across different artistic genres, they conceive and realize actual cultural projects while also learning about global cultural and social conditions, cultural policy, cultural economics, and other theories that support the relationship between the arts and society, under the guidance of faculty members.

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Valuing the educational philosophy of “bridging theory and practice,” students are required to acquire international perspectives and networking methods through classes exchanging ideas with leading theorists and practitioners in Japan and abroad, in addition to introductory and advanced courses in basic and applied theory and practical activity-based exercises.?Through these classes, students will learn to conceive and realize cultural projects, while learning about the various cultural and social conditions behind cultural projects around the world, as well as the theories that support the relationship between the arts and society, such as cultural policy and cultural economics.

Students acquire highly specialized knowledge, research methodologies, theories, and practical skills in class subjects. In parallel with the weekly classes, there will be classes in which practical activities are conducted, and students will acquire skills supported by advanced theory going between theory and practice.

In addition, a regular research progress report meeting is held by multiple supervisors, led by the primary supervisor, to assess the results of the research and provide guidance. Publication of papers in academic and professional journals, conference presentations, practical results such as exhibitions, performances, and project planning and management will also be the component of the research results. The final examination consists of a dissertation review and an oral examination, but the results of practical research may be included as part of the dissertation. After a preliminary application, the doctoral dissertation review is conducted in public by at least three professional examiners, and a public presentation of the dissertation is held after the review. Practical results may be added to the presentation. The successful candidate will be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (Academic).

Since its establishment in 2016, the Graduate School of Global Arts (GA) has been implementing exchange programs with various overseas art universities in order to nurture internationally active arts managers, curators, and researchers. The program has been continuing ongoing exchanges with various universities such as Korea National University of Arts, Taipei National University of the Arts, University of the Arts London, and Copenhagen University, etc. by sending and inviting students for a short period of time. Through on-site fieldwork and discussions among students, they learn about each other’s cultural and historical backgrounds, which is a valuable experience to deepen their research from an international perspective.

(Photo: Top) Artists and Curators talk event at “Step on the Threshold” Exhibition
(Photo: Bottom left) Fieldwork in Taipei City as part of an international exchange program
(Photo: Bottom right) Special lecture with guest speakers on the themes of gender, politics, and activism