Museum Studies Program
Since its inception at the University of Toronto in 1969,
the Museum Studies program has launched hundreds of exciting careers for
its graduates in museums and similar cultural heritage institutions around
the world. Because the two-year program aims to prepare students for a
variety of positions in the museum field, it is both academic and professional
in nature. Therefore, the program offers a comprehensive study of the
function of museums in their broader social and cultural contexts. In
order to give students a solid theoretical background in museums and an
in-depth understanding of their histories, evolving ideologies, philosophies,
and practices, the curriculum includes courses in management, research
methodology, community outreach, and collection acquisition and care,
among others. In June 2006, the program transferred into the Faculty of
Information Studies. This integration allows for the expansion of the
program, an increase in student admission, and more resources, including
computer software, and an up-to-date library.
The Internship
The Museum Studies program is recognized internationally by both scholars and museum professionals alike. One can attribute this to the strong reputation of the University of Toronto, as well as the high-quality, ambitious students who enrol in the program. Students in the class of 2008, for example, completed summer internships at prominent institutions worldwide, including the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, the Solomon R. Guggenhiem Museum in New York, NY, the Victoria and Albert Theatre Museum in London, England, the Centre of Memory, Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, South Africa, and various other notable museums across Canada and the United States. Each student served as an ambassador for the program and the university by exemplifying professionalism and providing an outstanding level of work at their respective host institutions
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Amanda Burrows, intern at the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York, working at her desk. |
Charleen Davidson, intern at the Rooms Provincial Museum of Newfoundland, photographing Titanic lifejacket in preparation for exhibition. |
Jes Koepfler, intern at the Institute for Learning Innovation, conducting a seminar for her colleagues. |
Rachel Libman, intern at Toronto’s Koffler Centre and Gallery, painting cases in preparation for an exhibition. |
Stephanie Nemcsok, intern at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in South Africa, prepares an exhibition case for displaying the Nobel Peace Prize. |
The Exhibition Project
To augment learning and practical experiences further, the program includes an exhibition project, which runs for the duration of the second year of the degree. Students work together as a team to research, design, curate, market, and produce a unique exhibition of their choice. Former project titles include Wish You Were Here: A City and Its Souvenirs, Collecting Curiosities: The World in One Room, and Bottoms Up!: A Spirited History of Drink in Canada. This year’s exhibition, Mischief & Malice: Crime in the Museum, explores the themes of theft, vandalism, and forgery within museums and cultural heritage institutions. Traditionally, the exhibitions have taken a physical form using art and artifacts borrowed from public and private donors and by collaborating with an established host institution, such as the City of Toronto. However, this year’s exhibition set a precedent by going completely virtual, allowing the project not only to reach a broader and more diverse audience, but also to help advance the program in an innovative way by exploring progressive methods of digital curation.
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Nick Gamble at the Exhibition Brief in December 2007. |
Members of the exhibition team preparing to present the Exhibition Brief in December 2007. |
Form Object |
Form Object |
