Innovative and dynamic, the MA in Art and Politics was launched in 2009 and has already become a leader in its field. It was inspired by appeals to situate 'practice' in terms of a variety of contemporary discourses and the increased incorporation of political and social agendas into art. Our programme is one which views both art and politics differently - i.e in relation to a central dynamic of change. 

Focusing on issues which are key to both art and politics, we explore practices and issues related to public space, democracy, equality, participation, justice and affect. By shuttling across art and politics, rather than seeking to produce a synthesis between the two, we probe a range of practices and strategies which, in the encounter between art and politics, play out in numerous forms and very different kinds of social spaces.

Working with a mixed constituency of students from Art; Politics; International Studies; Philosophy; Cultural Studies as well as numerous other disciplines, we take up the challenge to develop frameworks and spaces which are mixed and mobile and which can operate in trans-disciplinary settings. In such a mixed context, questions about  ‘autonomy’ and the political character of art take on renewed vigour and urgency. Similarly we are able to probe art’s potential in times of political and cultural crisis. Why for instance, do contemporary arts practices increasingly claim ‘political’ origins and motivations, while political parties seek the involvement of art and artists of all kinds? Or, what good are practices that are neither art nor politics?

The MA in Art and Politics provides students with the opportunity to explore numerous questions and practices in a genuinely interdisciplinary setting. Working from a strong theoretical basis, the programme aims to better understand a range of empirical, aesthetic and conceptual issues which traverse and exceed both 'art' and 'international' politics.

It aims further to explore those strategies of intervention and those practices and modes of thought which are, as yet, uncertainly situated and to consider how we, as participants in a variety of cultural and public spheres, may yet be able to affect what can be seen, said and thought.

What you study

An introduction to what you study on the MA in Art & Politics

The MA programme will cover the following courses:

Core

• Art & Politics 1: History, Theory, Event (30 credits)
• Group Project (30 credits)
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Options

You choose courses to the value of 60 CATS from

Either
A list provided by the Department of Politics at the beginning of the academic year.

Or
A combination of units from:

a) a list provided by the department at the beginning of the academic year, and
b) others units from other departments in the college approved by the Department of Politics, but not amounting to more than 30 CATS from outside the Department of Politics.

Project work

You are required to undertake project-based work in accordance with your own political and aesthetic interests. The purpose of this project-work is to find ways of ‘doing’ politics which employ ‘artistic’ strategies and interventions in their realisation.

Projects have a student-centred material focus, complementing the theoretical emphasis of core and optional modules, and will seek to raise awareness of particular issues and draw attention to their position in the public arena. They may be written, broadcast, performed, curated, made, or involve any other kind of appropriately documented submission.

Training in digital and genetic media will be provided where necessary. Project training is monitored and co-ordinated by the artist-in-residence in the Department of Politics – who will oversee students’ individual needs while ensuring that there is continuity of support and opportunities to identify and build upon individual strengths and weaknesses.

Register your interest

If you register your interest in this programme we will keep you informed about open days and send you relevant further information. If you subsequently decide to apply for this programme you will be able to use the same login details to apply.