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 >_________________________________________________________________ >Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > >========================================================= >Important Subscriber Information: > >The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). > >If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). > ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).