Certificate programs in Visual Literacy and Culture; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to be available in the upcoming academic year

SACKVILLE, NB — Mount Allison University has introduced a new program offering which will have its first graduate this spring. Museum and curatorial studies is now offered as a degree minor option. The minor is the first of its kind in Atlantic Canada among undergraduate programs.

“The new minor in museum and curatorial studies brings together expertise from several departments and areas on campus and helps formalize an important area of study at Mount Allison,” says Dr. Jeff Ollerhead, Mount Allison University Provost and Vice-President, Academic and Research. “We are pleased to announce this academic offering for our students and look forward to the collaborative learning that will come out of these new opportunities on campus.”

The new minor aims to provide a wider understanding of the cultural production of museums and their communities and incorporates material from several of Mount Allison’s extensive campus resources in the field including the Fine Arts, Arts, and Commerce programs, the Owens Art Gallery — Canada’s oldest University art gallery, Colville House, the Mount Allison Libraries and Archives, and the visiting artists and curators program.

“Students were already interested in this area of study through our course offerings and many continue on to graduate programs in art conservation and museum studies, or to work in the field,” says Mount Allison Fine Arts professor, art historian, and curator Anne Koval. “It’s exciting to be working with students and departments across the University to provide this kind of educational experience and preparation in the field of museum studies and curation.”

The University will see its first graduate in the new minor cross the stage this spring. Runa Nishiyama of Tokyo, Japan will graduate with a BA degree in art history and classical studies, and a minor in museum and curatorial studies on May 13. She has been accepted into the Master’s of Art program at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London, UK for the fall.

“Being able to solidify my minor in museum and curatorial studies has really assisted in my plans for future study and work in this field,” says Nishiyama. “These courses helped me connect my interests in art and business over my time at Mount Allison and I am excited to have this formally recognized as part of my degree.”

The new minor was approved by the University’s Senate this winter. Course offerings and experiential learning areas include arts and culture management, museum education and community engagement, curating and critical writing, close study of collections, issues around collecting and archives; and the study of art museums and galleries. Courses are taught by professors and staff members in departments across campus, and include guest lecturers by visiting artists and curators.

In addition to the new minor, Mount Allison’s Senate approved two new certificate programs that students may earn in concert with their undergraduate degree, beginning in the 2019-20 academic year.

Undergraduate certificates in Visual Literacy and Culture and in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion may be taken concurrently with a degree program by Mount Allison students. Certificates are thematic in nature, comprised of a breadth of available courses related to the theme and open to students across the University with no dependency on program of study.

More information on all Mount Allison programs can be found in http://www.mta.ca/programs

Photo caption: Runa Nishiyama of Tokyo, Japan will graduate with a BA degree in art history and classical studies, and a minor in museum and curatorial studies on May 13. Nishiyama is the first graduate to receive the new minor at Mount Allison.