Museum Studies and Art Gallery

This certificate is designed to provide students with the necessary theoretical knowledge, practical

knowledge, and skills to apply for entry-level occupations related to museum studies and art gallery.

Students will acquire the knowledge of diverse artistic media and develop a career-oriented artistic

perspective. The coursework will introduce students to current industry practices and standards.

The certificate requires a total of 20-21 units and courses must be completed with a

grade of C or higher.

This certificate is designed to introduce students to skills and theory related to museum studies and

art gallery entry-level occupations, for vocational purposes.

The goal of the Museum Studies and Art Gallery certificate is to prepare Fine Arts

students for vocational positions in fields related to museum and gallery exhibition.

Upon completion of the certificate, the student is prepared to complete entry-level

tasks with an understanding of the various perspectives of an exhibition team and

administrative positions, including the artist, the director and curator, preparators, art

handlers and installers, lighting, graphic design within the museum and gallery, and

marketing and public relations. The courses required for this certificate are designed

to provide students with the theory and skills necessary to successfully enter entry-

level museum and gallery occupations.

The courses of study include theoretical and practical skill sets. Students will acquire

an understanding of historical and contemporary theory connected to museum studies

and gallery spaces, which can be applied to writing and analysis. Students will also

acquire basic technical skills focused on preparing students to work within gallery-

and museum-related spaces, as well as practical networking skills and business

insight, including approaching museum and gallery spaces, grant writing, insurance,

and etiquette. The courses will prepare students to work in a variety of roles for

employment in multiple fields.

Program Learning Outcomes:

- Analyze artwork, design, installation, fabrication, and concept, within the context of

historic and contemporary theory.

- Apply design concepts, installation techniques, fabrication skills, and exhibition

concept toward the production of a purposeful exhibition.

- Demonstrate networking and communication knowledge related to approaching

and interacting with museum and art gallery professionals in relation to contemporary

practice.

Students who successfully complete the program will be able to:

1) Identify various roles in the museum and gallery systems.

2) Apply and analyze historic and contemporary art theory within museum and

gallery systems.

3) Apply design concepts, installation and lighting techniques, and fabrication skills

towards a cohesive exhibition design.

4) Operate equipment and tools, common to the field, safely toward fabrication

related to exhibition installation, packing, and presentation.

5) Communicate effectively and timely within the network of museum and gallery

systems to publicize artists, exhibitions, and programs.

6) Analyze, critique, and evaluate exhibition design, concepts, planning and

installation, and execution of contemporary exhibitions.

With this certificate, students will have gained the skillset necessary to pursue entry-

level employment for a career path within the following job descriptions:

Assistant art handler

Gallery greeter

Entry-level administration

Exhibition reviewer for accessible sites

Assistant to a graphic designer

Currently, there is a lack of vocational programming in the Fine Arts Department at Mt. San Antonio College, while there is a high demand for art-related occupations in the region. Though Mt. SAC has housed a gallery certificate in the Fine Arts area, it has historically focused upon exhibition and curatorial aspects, rather than entry-level vocations. This certificate program is designed to replace the previous certificate program and to aid degree-recipients in landing entry-level applied design vocations as a crucial step towards filling a labor market gap of careers in the gallery and applied design industry. Students will develop experience in art writing, production of art exhibitions, exhibition design, and preparator work through hands-on courses, acquiring professional modes of communication and networking skills needed to be successful in gallery operations.

East Los Angeles College- Museum Studies Certificate Program

Fullerton College- Museum Assistant Certificate

San Diego Mesa College-Museum Studies Program

Total projected annual completers:  15

This is a new program composed of existing and modified courses.