ART 4150 - Object Archaeology: Research, Writing, and Interpretation for the Museum

(3) Credit Hours

Art historical investigation typically centers on the biographies of known artists and the social use, significance, and impact of specific artworks or objects. But what happens when access to these traditional modes of scholarly inquiry are unavailable or incomplete? This course develops a set of critical research strategies to help students uncover and interpret the “lost” or “hidden” histories of artistic objects. In addition to participating in weekly reading discussions and workshops, each student undertakes a semester-long research project on an understudied artwork from the permanent collection of a local art museum or institution. Students work closely with the professor, curators from the museum/institution, and library professionals to learn about archival research, curatorial management, interpretive label writing, and exhibition design. The semester culminates in a small collaborative exhibition and the results of the students’ research are added to the museum/institution’s curatorial file.Every other fall semester.Prerequisites: ART 2150 or department head approval.