I believe a similar discussion re what could be termed "academia vs applied
studies" appeared within the last few months and might accessed in the
lists' archives.
I have an MA in history museum studies and 25 years museum experience,
including some with modern & contemporary art. It seems that most history
museum professionals don't have my "double" background which includes art
and art history, as well as history/material culture. For what it's worth,
this is my opinion, based on my experience and observations.
If Sienna wants to work as a curator in an art museum with contemporary art,
she definitely needs an MA and most probably a PhD in art history/theory,
get real used to using slide libraries, and get some experience working in a
university art gallery or other art museum along the way. If she wants to be
print maker, get a MA in studio arts. If she wants to work in a history
museum, an MA is sufficient. If she wants to work in a historical society, a
PhD will be preferred.
On another note, I have seen a perfectly good, or fine, collection of
material culture/art related items designated to be deaccessioned and the
collection reformed because the administrator, who no doubt is a fine person
and well trained, saw it through art & design eyes, and apparently didn't
have the training or knowledge to understand it as a historical/material
culture collection. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be much "cross
training" for reasons of academic territory, etc. This discussion could go
on endlessly, so I will end here.
Nancy Powell
Executive Director
Ebenezer Maxwell Mansion
Philadelphia, PA
-----Original Message-----
From: Sienna Brown <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Wednesday, December 27, 2000 11:29 PM
Subject: Education
>Hi,
>
>This may have been discussed into the ground so I apologize if you are all
>sick of this question, I'm new to the list. I am a recent grad with a BA in
>Art History. I currently have a good museum job. Despite my good job now I
>know I need to go to grad school but I don't know if its better to get my
MA
>or my Ph.D. My ultimate goal is to be a curator and my interests are in
>modern and contemporary (mostly contemporary) art and print making. Do any
>of you have any ideas at to whether an MA or a PhD is better for my career.
>
>Thanks,
>Sienna Brown
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