Arts and Education Practices – MA

Our pioneering MA Arts and Education Practices course focuses on the exploration of educational models at the intersection of practice, teaching and pedagogic theory.

The only Arts Education MA in the UK based in a School of Art, we provide a unique platform for the art educator. This setting helps to facilitate an innovative community of experienced and aspiring art educators, welcoming those willing to critique current practices to ask not only how we should teach art, but also how art can teach us.

What’s covered in the course?

Our students come from diverse phases and sectors in the field of art and design education and the expanded fields of gallery, community and self organised educational practices. Through the course individual perspectives and experiences meet with those of your peers providing you with the stimulation and challenges that different perceptions can bring. We seek to evolve a dialogue through direct experience and engagement with the arts and their value as taught subjects, both within the institution and outside of it.

Our taught modules strengthen your subject knowledge and connect you with contemporary creative and educational practice.

The course core modules are taught primarily on Tuesdays, with some lectures taking place in the evening or at weekends to allow for your work patterns. Taught sessions and tutorial contact are balanced with online content and assessment is spread throughout the year to ease workload.

MA Arts and Education students follow a core modular structure that explores the past, current and future practice of arts education. You can personalise your learning through your choice of an optional module and pursue your interests within the expanded field of arts education through research and practice.

The structure of the course enables you to focus your research within the context of your own creative field and workplace. Through this study you build independent research leading to your major project that can be focused through educational models, workshops, creative practice and encounters that inform and are responsive to art educational contexts.

The course offers opportunities to connect with and expand your knowledge of your creative field through collaboration, live projects and visits that explore educational situations and projects.

Why Choose Us?

• This is a unique professional development opportunity at the intersection between art practice and educational theory.
• The MA Arts and Education Practices has a significant international reputation with alumni in over 20 countries worldwide, with strong educational profiles and working in a range of institutions and organisations.
• We work with each individual student to develop a route through the course to match their aspirations.
• Our students practice as artists, gain promotion within the field of education, pursue research or take a sideways step into another arts education related context.
• You will be supported by a highly professional staff team, doctoral researchers, technical demonstrators and artists in residence in a innovative, creative and supportive environment.
• Birmingham School of Art is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for art-based learning and research. We have a unique art education archive relating to the Arts and Crafts Movement, and Marion Richardson, amongst others.
• The course is based at Birmingham School of Art (Margaret Street), a fine example of Venetian Gothic architecture and an impressive purpose built Grade I listed art school.