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Unit of study_
ARHT6935: The Art Museum: Past, Present and Future
2025 unit information
This unit of study explores the art museum from its origins in Renaissance and Baroque princely and aristocratic collections, through to the creation of new public spaces and institutions for exhibiting art in the 18th and 19th centuries, including national Academies and international exhibitions. Shifting conceptions of the role of the art museum will be addressed: from public instruction to nation building and mass entertainment. The final section explores current debates, including those posed by an expanding range of new media and changing audience perceptions.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Arts and Social Sciences
| Study level | Postgraduate |
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| Academic unit | Art History |
| Credit points | 6 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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None |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. To provide students with a solid understanding of the development of the art museum from the 18th century to the present.
- LO2. To enable an appreciation of the diverse cultural contexts in which art museums have arisen, both in Australia and internationally.
- LO3. To develop students’ verbal and written skills in interpreting and presenting debates about art museums.
- LO4. To provide a relevant knowledge base for students who wish to pursue careers in the museum and galleries industries.
Unit availability
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Modes of attendance (MoA)
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