STUDY PROGRAMME
Contemporary Arts Markets

AFAM CODE
ABVPA62

DISCIPLINARY AREA
Valorisation of cultural heritage

DISCIPLINARY FIELD
Communication and valorisation of museums collections

CREDITS
8

APPROACH
Theoretical

The course aims at offering students an overview of how both private and public collections are created, analysing the role of the art market as well as of cultural trends in influencing the choices of collectors and public institutions. It will thus develop the students’ awareness towards the strategies and the circumstances that contribute to the physiognomy and the value of collections. Furthermore, the course will focus on the provenance of artworks highlighting the often crucial role played by private collectors and donors in the creation of public collections. A special focus will concern Milan collections: through guided visits to main art institutions, both public and private, interaction with the main actors in the art field, places and operating examples, the course provides students from different cultural backgrounds with general knowledge of the Italian art system, in order to help them become acquainted with art and collection history and its lexicon.

The programme consists of one single module, which grants 8 CFA credits.

Successful students will be able to:

• Gain knowledge of the contemporary art collections, of their roots and strategies of valorisation

• Understand the contemporary collecting phenomena

• Understand the best practices in the field

• Contemporary art collections

• Private collectors foundations

• Strategies of valorisation of collections

• Case studies

This is a theoretical course. Didactic activities may include:

• Classroom lectures

• Use of tutorials, videos or other media tools for detailed study

• Active participation to classes through debates and presentations

• Individual study and research

• Field trips

Assessment is based on the overall competence of the students and may include:

• Oral exam

• Written exam

• Submission of papers, projects or research work

The final mark for the course is determined on the basis of a number of contributory marks. It will result from the weighted average mark for the different assignments (class discussion, group discussion and final project).

Further details on specific tests can be provided by the professor during the course. Assessment criteria include commitment, active participation and personal growth of the students over the course.

Bibliographic recommendations will be provided during the course. A lot of the referenced material, together with other in-depth study material, can be consulted online in MyNaba, in the Library section.