The Curating Contemporary Art Department is a leader in curatorial education and research, with an explicitly international perspective on the role of the curator in today’s museums and galleries. Established in 1992, the MA programme approaches the field critically, theoretically and through best practice in commissioning, exhibition making and art writing in museums, galleries and the public realm.

CCA has recently embarked upon a pilot work-based pathway MA, initially for minority curators, funded by Arts Council England. Widely acknowledged as an important marker of current developments in contemporary art, the annual CCA show in the Royal College of Art galleries has become known for experimental approaches to working with artists, and for introducing new international artists to UK audiences. This year’s project takes a critical position regarding the expectations of the audience by presenting a solo exhibition by a London artist, John Smith. This is part of an ongoing investigation by the graduating students into how solo exhibitions fit within the landscape of curating today.