Museum and Curatorial Studies | MCS

Museum and Curatorial Studies

Our Museum and Curatorial Studies program explores the dynamic world of museums, galleries, and heritage sites. We offer hands-on experience alongside seminars and lecture courses that explore museums as complex social and cultural institutions. Students gain practical skills for a wide range of careers in the cultural sector, from “front of house” curation to “behind the scenes” collections management and arts administration. This program encourages a combination of practical skills, creativity, historical knowledge, and critical thinking and offers exciting opportunities for student-led curatorial projects.  

Our Graduates

The Major Museum and Curatorial Studies makes students very competitive for graduate programs in Museum Studies, Conservation, Digital Conservation, Art History, Public History, and Critical Heritage Studies, as well as for careers in the arts field and the heritage sector. Graduates from the program have gone on to work internationally at major museums and galleries, in universities, and other cultural institutions.

Meet an alumna

"My year in Visual Arts was fundamental in providing the art historical knowledge and context to develop my understanding of museum and gallery procedures. The mentorship I received from my professors, in particular Dr. Barteet and Dr. Kirsty Robertson , was invaluable and I am so appreciative of the time and support they offered both during my studies and years afterwards. My coursework in Museum Studies was especially relevant to my current role, particularly the hands-on projects in which I was able to work within a team to develop and produce exhibitions in the Concourse and ArtLab galleries. My experience at Western was pivotal in shaping my professional career and I am very proud to call myself an alumna."

-Kristyn Rolanty, (BA'13) Project Manager of Exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Ontario

Discover our program

In this interview, the Western Gazette shines a light on our class exhibition, Cabinet of Shadows: The Reliquary for Lost Animals

Behind the Scenes

Get hands on experience, researching, organizing, and exhibiting in a professional gallery.

MCS courses

Courses in the Major in Museum and Curatorial Studies include:

VAH1648A/B - Collecting Art and Culture
MCS2600F/G - Introduction to Gallery, Museum & Curatorial Studies
MCS2620 F/G –The Greatest Shows on Earth
MCS3620A/B/Y - Introduction to Exhibition Design & Museum Management
MCS3610F/G – Controversies and Contestations: Museums
MCS3686F/G – Project-Based Internship  
MCS4600F/G - Seminar in Museum & Curatorial Studies
MCS4681E - Museum and Curatorial Practicum
MCS4684A/B/Y - Practicum Internship in the Visual Arts

See all Museum and Curatorial Studies courses on the Academic Calendar:

MCS 4605E : MUSEUM AND CURATORIAL PRACTICUM

In this capstone seminar class, students work together with the professor to plan and execute a major curatorial project. This class provides essential skills and practical experience for those hoping to move into careers in the museums and culture fields. Explore our past exhibition sites to learn more about these projects.