A thirst for knowledge

Apollo, August, 2003 by Anthony J Law

To develop and nurture a basic knowledge of the art world into literary scholarship or even a career, there are many opportunities available to the art historian. The courses advertised in this Education and Book Feature are aimed at those with a keen interest in art and a desire to learn more.

Christie's Education is celebrating 25 years of academic success with a move to a purpose-built college building of its own on 1st September. Located at 153 Great Titchfield Street, London W1W 5BD the completely refurbished college dates from 1970 and is actually on the site of the first Building Crafts College founded in 1893. Situated in the historic Fitzrovia area of London, the modern building and spacious building provides unprecedented facilities in an area long associated with great artists and literary figures.

Christie's Education is an international institution aiming to offer the highest quality education possible in art history, connoisseurship and the art market. Courses emphasise object-based learning where students come into contact with a wide range of works of art first hand. Students have the option of (A) Certificate, Diploma, Undergraduate Degree and Master's courses in Early European Art, Antiquity, Middle Ages and Renaissance.

(B) Fine and Decorative Arts--Renaissance to the Present Day or (C) Modern Art and Contemporary Art: 1860 to Present Day.

Missenden Abbey offers a special environment for students of all types, within its beautiful parkland setting of mature trees and historic buildings. The courses range from art and art history to embroidery and textiles, creative crafts, health, languages, music and performance. Missenden Abbey enjoys a high reputation in the field of adult learning and many students study for the City and Guilds qualifications

The V & A is the world's greatest museum of art and design and as part of its extensive education service it is offering three separate part-time courses on the visual arts ion Europe. These courses give a fascinating and coherent survey of the fine, architecture, design and decorative arts in Europe from the Middle Ages to the First World War. The courses are ideal for anybody wanting to discover more about some of the most extraordinary art and design the world has produced. Teaching is mostly by slide lecture, with supplementary gallery talks that provide access to the unparalleled collections in the museum. (See advertisement page 11 for courses available).

Waddesdon Manor, home of the Rothschild Collection, continues to offer many special interest days. On 23rd September, Christie's Education in partnership with Waddesdon Manor, are offering an exclusive opportunity to experience the true 'style Rothschild'. (see advertisement page 10 for complete list of Special Interest Days).

West Dean College is situated near Chichester in West Sussex. The College offers superior diploma programmes in Visual and Applied Arts including tapestry weaving and making of early stringed musical instruments. New MA visual arts, PGDip art and site, PGDip painting and drawing. Conservation-Restoration of antique clocks, antique furniture, books and library material, ceramics and related materials and fine metalwork.

New MA conservation studies and PGDip conservation of buildings, interiors and sites.

The full list of courses can be viewed on the internet site: www.westdean.org.uk

University of Cambridge Art History Summer School is the only programme at the University of Cambridge in the history of art which is open to those who are not full-time students of the University. It is devised particularly for those people who already have some knowledge or experience in art history, although many participants in previous years have come from other backgrounds. The Art History Summer School has a reputation for lively discussions and exchange of ideas, continuing far beyond the scheduled sessions, and extending across the programme's residential community. Academic and cultural diversity springs from the range of nationalities represented: students from eighteen different countries will attend in 2003.

Reinwardt Academy, Amsterdam offers a Master's degree programme in Museology in the form of an eighteen month international study programme which is open to all post-graduates holding degrees from recognised universities. The programme is modular in structure and consists of modules in Theoretical Museology, Information Management, Conservation Methodology, Communications, Visitor Studies, Management of Cultural Institutes and Exhibition Management and requires a thesis for completion. Entry in January and September. Degrees are conferred in association with the University of Newcastle upon Tyne and is recognised by the Cultural Heritage National Organisation

Institute d'Etudes Superieures des Arts, Paris is offering new, year-long courses in collaboration with the Wallace Collection starting in October in Paris. Courses will also be run in Florence, London and Brussels. For further information call Adriana Turpin on (London) 020 7229 5096 or visit www.iesa.fr