Kunst- & cultuurwetenschappen

The programme is taught by a research-active staff and (former) curators from the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, the Frans Hals Museum, the Museum Volkenkunde, the National Museum of Antiquities and the RKD, among others. Our teaching and research are enhanced by collaborative partnerships with museums, heritage institutions and contemporary art venues. The programme also facilitates optional internships in the cultural sector, both within The Netherlands and beyond. You can pursue your individual fascinations and explore a large range of topics studied from an interdisciplinary and critical perspective.
You will study the visual and decorative arts and architecture from the Middle Ages till today and its history in museums and collections. You will be involved with the question of what challenges are offered in the present day by art history. You will gain insights into this by studying the developments in art in the broad context of visual culture, from social and political developments, developments in natural sciences and globalisation. Your insights will be directed by new perspectives that will teach you to understand the multiplicity/versatility of art. During excursions you will have the opportunity to experience the works of art personally and test your research.

The programme is taught by a research-active staff and (former) curators from the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, the Frans Hals Museum, the Museum Volkenkunde, the National Museum of Antiquities and the RKD, among others. Our teaching and research are enhanced by collaborative partnerships with museums, heritage institutions and contemporary art venues. We regularly host leading voices within the field to introduce our students to emerging trends and world-class research. The programme also facilitates optional internships in the cultural sector, both within The Netherlands and beyond. You can pursue your individual fascinations and explore a large range of topics studied from an interdisciplinary and critical perspective.

In the Museum Studies programme you will study and experience the history of collection formation as well as crucial themes concerning museums today. In our global society, the status and importance of museums, collections and heritage as key factors of our identities and cultures are undisputed. The museum’s present day influential role in the shaping of knowledge and identity should be understood in its historical context and the underlying social, political, ethical and intellectual structures. During excursions you will have the opportunity to experience the museums personally and test your research.

In the Master's programme Art of the Contemporary World and World Art Studies at Leiden University you will be studying the developments in art in the broad context of visual culture. You will gain an understanding of the challenges presented by art history today, and explore developments in art in the broad context of visual culture – from social and political developments and developments in natural sciences to globalisation.

You will develop specialised knowledge in three core areas: art from a global perspective, art in relation to science, and art theory and aesthetics. You will also examine the role of museums and art venues and how artists relate to these.
During the programme, you will research a wealth of modern and contemporary art works from a cross section of media including photography, new media art, installation art, and more – while exploring their role as communicative agents. You will come across famous artworks first-hand at a wide range of art venues, museums, galleries and cultural institutes.
The Master's in Contemporary Art in a Global Perspective has four key themes that are offered only in Leiden in this configuration:

* Art in a global perspective
* Art in relation to science
* Art theory and aesthetics
* Multi-mediality