NEWS

Courtauld Institute of Art Inviting Applications for MA in Buddhist Art: History and Conservation

By Press Office

Buddhistdoor Global | 2016-01-18 |

Large stupa at Ta’er Temple, Suoyang City, Gansu Province, China. From The Courtauld Institute of Art

Applications are now open for the MA in Buddhist Art: History and Conservation 2016–17 at The Courtauld Institute of Art, London—one of the leading centers in the world for education and research in history of art and conservation.

This unique full-time, one-year MA is offered by The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Centre for Buddhist Art and Conservation at The Courtauld. It combines teaching by a wide range of specialists in the key tenets of Buddhism, the history of Buddhist art, and the making and conservation of Buddhist art, and also includes a field trip to conservation and management projects in Asia. Drawing on The Courtauld’s research and conservation work in Bhutan, China, and India, it is specifically designed to equip students with:

- Knowledge of the central concepts and tenets of Buddhism and their historical diffusion
- Knowledge of the history of Buddhist art in its various religious, social, cultural, and political contexts
- Knowledge of the making of various types of Buddhist art
- Knowledge of the approaches to the conservation of Buddhist art and an understanding of the ethical, technical, and administrative contexts
- On-site exposure to conservation and management projects on Buddhist art in Asia

Teaching on the course is mainly concentrated in three 11-week terms, with supervision of the dissertation continuing during the summer months (June - September). The dissertation should consider an aspect of the original techniques, conservation, management, curating, history, or use of Buddhist art.

Dr. Pierre Cambon, conservateur en chef at the Musée Guimet, Paris, discussing Gandharan art. From The Courtauld Institute of Art

Assessing surface deposits on a stone sculpture in the Forbidden City, Beijing, China. From The Courtauld Institute of Art

The MA provides a comprehensive grounding in the history of Buddhism, Buddhist art, and conservation. It will be useful for those intending to pursue further specialist education in conservation as well as for those wishing to go on to related fields such as art-historical research, curating, or site-management.

Applicants from different academic and geographical backgrounds are encouraged to apply for the program, which is limited to eight students. Previous experience in the field is not required.

Travel and accommodation expenses for field trips are provided by the center, which also offers substantial scholarships for the MA, awarded on the basis of merit and need.

Applications are due 16 February 2016, 5.00 p.m. GMT.

For more information and to apply, please visit The Courtauld’s website here.

The Courtauld Institute of Art
Somerset House
Strand
WC2R 0RN London UK