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MASTER OF ARTS IN ART

FLORENCE, saci-.edu MISSION saci’s ma in program provides students with a unique opportunity to complete the first stage of graduate study essential for those seeking careers as art historians and -level Art History instructors. By exploiting fully the advantages available to scholars only through advanced study in Florence, SACI seeks to develop a critical mass of graduates who, because of the unique nature of their graduate training at SACI, will be highly competitive when seeking admission to doctoral programs in Art History and, upon completion of these programs, will be uniquely qualified to teach at colleges and . SACI’s expectation is that students who successfully complete the MA in Art History program will, throughout their lives, pursue scholarly endeavors that are rooted in their direct experience and deep appreciation of Italian and European art and culture.

c ov er: s aci s t uden t at f l or en ce’s pa l a z zo p i t t i (p ho t o: r eg a n whe at ) bel ow: s aci s t uden t at a n e x hibi t ion a b o u t l eon a r d o da v in ci (p ho t o: j ohn tay l or ) INTRODUCTION who seek increased proficiency in Italian, outlined in the Study Proposal. Students study at the appropriate level of the Italian are able to pursue their specific areas Students in SACI’s MA in Art History language. of interest by undertaking Directed program complete all of their course Independent Study that serves to work in Italy during one year of intensive SACI’s MA in Art History program offers complement classroom study in their Major study at SACI in Florence. They work in students, including those intending to Discipline. an environment of rigorous critical inquiry, pursue careers as art historians and both singularly and as part of a community educators, the unique opportunity to earn To maintain satisfactory academic progress that utilizes the remarkable art-historical their master’s degree through year-long and earn the MA in Art History degree, and cultural resources of Florence. They study in the city in which the students must complete all course work in benefit as well from interaction with began and continues to flourish. the program at SACI within one academic members of SACI’s Artists Council, which year with a minimum overall grade point include established artists, art historians, Upon completion of the MA in Art History average of 3.0 (based upon a scale in which theorists, critics, curators, gallery directors, program, students should be able to: A = 4.0). A letter grade (A-F) is given in each and publishers, many of international class except MA I and MA Thesis II renown. → Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge in which the student is graded Pass or Fail. of the content and historiography of an Students in the MA in Art History program They encounter great art works not only in extensive body of scholarly material in must take all other classes for a letter , but in the venues for which they a major art field defined by historical grade. were intended: churches and other public period, geographic region or regions, or buildings, squares, gardens, and private theme (e.g., Women and in Italy). Students who need additional time to houses throughout Italy and elsewhere complete all course work must receive in . They have the rare opportunity → Demonstrate a general knowledge of the approval to do so from both the Dean to conduct research at the Gallery’s content and historiography of a body and their Graduate Review Board, which Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe, and are able of scholarly material in other art fields consists of the Major Professor, the Director to learn art conservation and diagnostic defined by historical period, geographic of the MA in Art History program, and an techniques that they can apply to art- region or regions, or theme. additional member selected by historical study in their selected areas. the student. When the Director of the The program aims to deepen students’ → Demonstrate an awareness of the role MA in Art History program is the same as understanding of and its of art historians in the construction of the Major Professor, the Director selects relationship to arts elsewhere in Europe the past and the role of contemporary another academic area faculty member to and throughout the world. context in shaping the perspectives of serve with the Director and the instructor art historians. selected by the student on the review board. Classes are held on site and in SACI’s two Such requests are normally approved landmark palazzi in Florence’s historic → Demonstrate the ability to formulate only in the case of documented medical center. These fully renovated Renaissance an original research project, identify emergencies, and the period of approved buildings are a short walk from Florence’s pertinent sources, examine those extended study does not normally exceed renowned Uffizi, , Accademia, and sources thoroughly, efficiently, and one academic year. museums and a number of the even-handedly within the context of world’s greatest libraries. the existing scholarly literature in the Credit from other institutions is not field, and construct a well-ordered, Students in the MA in Art History transferable to the MA in Art History well-argued, and well-written paper of program attend SACI in Florence during program, nor is credit earned at SACI substantial length. one academic year from September prior to matriculation in the MA in Art through July and earn 36 credits. Under History program. Students who, prior the mentorship of their selected Major PROGRAM OF STUDY to matriculation in the MA in Art History Professor, they put together a program program, have completed at SACI courses that balances supervised independent required in the program may be permitted, Students in the MA in Art History program study with classroom study. They travel to subject to approval by the Director of the must complete 36 credits of course work art-historically important sites and major MA in Art History program, to enroll in other during four terms within one academic year. museums throughout Italy and elsewhere SACI courses, in an appropriate area and 30 credits must be at the graduate level in in Europe. at an appropriate level, to substitute for Art History or Museology. Students enroll the required course work that had been for 12 credits in both the Fall and Spring se- In their Graduate Seminars, they study completed previously at SACI. mesters and 6 credits in both the Summer historiography and research methodology I and Summer II terms. They meet with the and focus on a broad range of art history Students in the MA in Art History program Director of the MA in Art History program topics as well as those specific to their must demonstrate reading proficiency in and/or their Major Professor at the begin- own research interests. They expand the before the start of the ning and throughout each term. the breadth and depth of their studies Summer I term. This can be done in one of through enrollment in other Art History and three ways: (1) by presenting satisfactory Museology courses, the undertaking of Programs of study are flexible. They vary passing results (above the 50th percentile) Directed Independent Study, and, for those from student to student and are geared on the standardized, national Graduate who need to gain a reading knowledge or to meet individual study goals which are School Foreign Language Test (GSFLT) or the equivalent; (2) by providing an official individualized plan of study tailored to their s p r i n g s e m e s t e r transcript which shows a grade of B or personal interests. Students who wish to • Graduate Seminar in Art History II (3 above (or its equivalent) in at least two enrich their study of Art History by taking credits) different-level Italian language courses; or elective courses from related disciplines • A course in the Major Discipline. (3) by completing at SACI with a grade of B are encouraged to do so. Either: Women and the Arts in Italy; or above at least two different-level Italian High and European and language courses. All students who take Students in the MA in Art History program Italian Art; Contemporary European and Italian language courses at SACI are able are required to take the following courses: Italian Art; Theory to participate in SACI’s Italian Language and Criticism; History of Italian Cinema; Museology; Museology Internship; Exchange Partner program. In this program, f a l l s e m e s t e r or Directed Independent Study in Art students are introduced to a selected group • Graduate Seminar in Art History I (3 History (for 3 credits) OR Italian Late of Italian students and professionals who credits) Medieval and Early are interested in exchanging language and • A course in the Major Discipline. Either: History* or Italian , are willing to introduce their SACI partner to Women and the Arts in Italy; 19th- Mannerist, and Early Baroque Art mutually interesting events or activities. Century European and Italian Art History* (for 6 credits) History; Modern European and Italian • An Art History Elective (3 credits) At the end of each term, an official SACI Art; Contemporary Art Theory and • Italian Language or an Open Elective transcript is issued to all students in the Criticism; History of Italian Cinema; (Academic or Studio) (3 credits) MA in Art History program. Students who Museology; or Directed Independent successfully complete the one year of study Study in Art History (for 3 credits) *Students enrolling in either of these classes and fulfill all program requirements are OR Italian Late Medieval and Early receive 6 semester hours of Art History awarded the Master of Arts in Art History Renaissance Art History* or Italian credit and satisfy the Major Discipline and degree. High Renaissance, Mannerist, and Early Art History Elective requirements. Baroque Art History* (for 6 credits) Descriptions and syllabi for all SACI courses • An Art History Elective (3 credits) s u m m e r i can be found on the SACI website: • Italian Language or an Open Elective • MA Thesis I (3 credits)* www.saci-florence.edu (Academic or Studio) (3 credits) • Directed Independent Study in Art History (3 credits) THE MAJOR DISCIPLINE s aci s t uden t at a contemporary a r t e x hib i t i o n

The Major Discipline is the area in which the student chooses to concentrate and is at the heart of the program of study. It can be selected from the following: • Italian Late Medieval and Early Renaissance Art • Italian High Renaissance, Mannerist, and Early Baroque Art • Baroque and Rococo European and Italian Art • 19th-Century European and Italian Art • Modern European and Italian Art • Contemporary European and Italian Art • Women and the Arts in Italy • Contemporary Art Theory and Criticism • History of Italian Cinema • History of Photography • Conservation Law, Business, and • Museology

CURRICULUM

The curriculum for the MA in Art History is founded on the belief that advanced Art History students should gain a thorough understanding of the history of Italian and European art and expertise in their area of concentration (Major Discipline).

While satisfying general program requirements, students pursue an student to the Major Professor for further During each class session, different suggestions and comments. The two Study components of the period being examined Proposals (one each semester) serve to are discussed in order to offer as full define and redefine the student’s goals and as possible an overview of the factors as major points of reference throughout the influencing that time’s art practice and student’s entire course of study. Students art studies. The aim of the seminar is to are encouraged to think about and draft a provide a range of methodological tools that Study Proposal before arriving at SACI. can be used to expand and enhance the understanding of art and art history. Each Major Discipline and Supervised student presents an oral report on his or Research (Directed Independent her research and completes a paper on an Study) art-historical topic selected by the student All students in the MA in Art History and approved by the instructor. Normally, program work intensively in their selected research undertaken and papers written in Major Discipline. Major Discipline study the Graduate Seminars serve as the basis is overseen by the Major Professor, who for the student’s thesis work. is selected by the student from SACI’s faculty at the beginning of each term. The In addition to discussions based on Major Professor serves as advisor to the assigned readings, the Graduate Seminar student and is a member of the student’s in Art History includes many visits to Graduate Review Board. This relationship museums and collections as well as must be formalized by completing a written meetings with art historians, theorists, s aci s t uden t s o n a p r i vat e t o ur o f t he u s c o ns ul at e agreement signed by the student and the critics, gallery owners, curators, and artists. Major Professor. A form for this purpose is Field trips include visits to events such as distributed at the outset of each term. the Venice Biennale (every other year); the *By the end of Summer I, the Graduate international contemporary art fairs in Review Board will determine admission to Students also work at an advanced level Florence and Bologna; exhibitions at the the July thesis presentation. Only admitted with the Major Professor and/or other SACI Luigi Pecci Center for Contemporary Art in students will participate in the Graduation instructors in Directed Independent Study Prato; and other major exhibitions in Italy Ceremony. (DIS) courses. The DIS format enables a and elsewhere in Europe. They vary from student to propose a study plan to meet day trips of a few hours to excursions of s u m m e r i i a specific educational need pertinent to several days. • MA Thesis II (3 credits) individual scholarly development. The DIS • Directed Independent Study in Art is an intensive and individually designed Enrollment in the Graduate Seminar in History (3 credits) tutorial in which the student meets Art History is required in both the Fall and regularly with the instructor to examine Spring terms for students in the MA in Art PROGRAM COMPONENTS and discuss the student’s academic work. History program. At the beginning of the term, a DIS form in The Study Proposal which the project is fully described in detail Reviews At the beginning of each Fall and Spring must be submitted by the student to the Reviews occur during the last week of semester, each student in the program instructor supervising the DIS and the Major the Fall and Spring semesters and in the writes a Study Proposal. The Study Proposal Professor (if different from the supervising Summer II term after the presentation of must include: a clear statement defining instructor) for their signed approval. All DIS the student’s thesis. These are forums with the student’s focus within his or her Major courses are graded and follow the same members of the faculty developed to serve Discipline; proposed goals for the semester; add/drop schedule as regular classes. the student with constructive criticism and problems that the student is seeking to discussion of his or her work. Criticism is resolve and questions he or she is proposing Graduate Seminar in Art History I geared to helping students develop their to answer; themes or subjects to investigate; and II own critical faculties. the means and resources that will be used to The Graduate Seminars in Art History focus realize these goals (research methodology, on critical approaches to the visual arts Reviews are attended by the Graduate courses, museums, libraries, and other that go beyond purely chronologically- Review Board, which, as has been noted, resources); and a statement about how all based analysis. Emphasis is placed upon consists of the Major Professor, the Director the above relate to prior work the student historiography—how the discipline of of the MA in Art History program, and an has done. art history began and how it has evolved. additional faculty member selected by Diverse research methodologies are the student. When the Director of the The Study Proposal must be typed and reviewed and research tools explicated. MA in Art History program is the same as submitted for review and approval to the Students proceed to explore the main the Major Professor, the Director selects Director of the MA in Art History program aesthetic ideas from the 18th to 21st another academic area faculty member to by the end of the first week of classes; it centuries with a focus upon the relationship serve with the Director and the instructor may be returned to the student for rewriting between aesthetic concerns and both art selected by the student on the review and clarification. Once approved, the movements and the methodologies of art board. Graduate Review Board members’ Study Proposal must be submitted by the historians. comments are both spoken and written. Thesis Major Professor. The Major Professor is RESOURCES The thesis is based upon substantive normally chosen from SACI’s faculty and research undertaken throughout the must have expertise in the Major Discipline. Students in the MA in Art History program academic year by the student on a Scholars not on SACI’s faculty may serve as are allotted study space down the hall topic related to the Major Discipline the Major Professor with the approval of the from the SACI Worthington Library in and approved by the Director of the MA Director of the MA in Art History Program. SACI’s main building, the Palazzo dei in Art History program. The student The Major Professor serves as the student’s Cartelloni, a landmark Renaissance palazzo begins planning, researching, and writing principal advisor and is a member of the located in Florence’s historic center at Via the thesis during the Fall semester in student’s Graduate Review Board. This Sant’Antonino 11. The palazzo is just steps the Graduate Seminar in Art History I, relationship must be formalized by away from Piazza and continues to work on the thesis during the completing a written agreement signed the and a short distance Spring semester in the Graduate Seminar by the student and the Major Professor. A from such famous sites as the Duomo and in Art History II, completes researching form for this purpose is distributed at the Brunelleschi’s , and writing the thesis during the Summer outset of each term. Students may retain and in close proximity to Florence’s I and Summer II terms while enrolled, the instructor they initially select as their four other great piazze—Piazza Santa respectively, in MA Thesis I and II, and Major Professor throughout the academic Croce, , Piazza della presents the thesis at the end of the year or they may change their Major Repubblica, and Piazza della Santissima Summer II term. Directed Independent Professor in subsequent terms. If they Annunziata. It includes, in addition to the Study undertaken during the Summer I and decide to change their Major Professor in a library, a lecture hall, classrooms, a student Summer II terms normally is used to explore subsequent term, they must do so prior to lounge with computers, administrative topics related to the research and writing of the beginning of the term and first obtain offices, and a large garden. The palazzo is the thesis. the approval of the Director of the MA in Art open seven days a week: Monday through History Program. Thursday from 8:30 am to 10:00 pm; Friday from 8:30 am 7:00 pm; and Saturdays and Students are required to submit 3 copies of Sundays from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm. a thesis of at least 50 pages in length. The SACI’s Faculty thesis must be typed, double-spaced, and Students in the program are encouraged formatted in accordance with the SACI to view the faculty at large as a resource The SACI Worthington Library’s Art History Guidelines for Preparation of a Master’s to further their study goals. Students section extensively covers ; Thesis in Art History, which is distributed to should therefore feel free to consult any ; Humanism; Renaissance all students in the program. At the end of member of the SACI faculty about areas of Art; ; 17th-Century Art; the Summer II term, the thesis is presented special interest. Prospective students can Baroque Art; Rococo Art; 18th-Century to the Graduate Review Board and the acquaint themselves with SACI’s faculty Art; 19th-Century Art; ; student meets with the review board to by looking at the Faculty section on SACI’s ; ; Puristi, give an oral presentation on the thesis and website: www.saci-florence.edu Macchiaioli, and Divisionisti Artists; Post-

answer board members’ questions about f l or en ce’s uf f izi g a l l ery the thesis. The thesis and oral presentation must be approved by the Graduate Review Board prior to conferral of the MA in Art History degree. A copy of the approved thesis is retained by SACI.

FACULTY

The Director of the MA in Art History Program The Director of the program is responsible for reviewing and approving Study Proposals; advising students about registering for their classes; scheduling reviews, including the final thesis presentation; and disseminating information pertinent to MA in Art History study. The Director is a member of the Graduate Review Board and is available to advise students on all aspects of their work and life at SACI. In addition, the Director helps students meet and work with other faculty members who can aid the students in their chosen areas of study.

The Major Professor Early in the Fall term, students select a SACI’S LECTURE SERIES

Each term, a number of lectures are scheduled that are open to all students. These lectures feature visiting artists, art historians, critics, theorists, conservators, gallery owners, and other art professionals, as well as speakers who address subjects relevant to Italian culture and politics.

FIELD TRIPS

SACI emphasizes on-site learning and sponsors many field trips for its students, both as part of its classes and as optional trips open to all students. In addition to s aci’s worthington l ibr a ry in t he pa l a z zo dei c a r t el l oni participating in field trips that are part of the Graduate Seminars and other classes in which they are enrolled, MA in Art History Impressionism; ; 20th-Century History of Photography; Photographic students are encouraged to participate in Art; Metaphysical Painters; ; Techniques; and . optional field trips to Rome; Venice; Naples, ; ; ; ; Neue Pompeii, and Herculaneum; Pisa and Lucca; Sachlichkeit; Dadaism; ; ; The SACI Worthington Library periodical Siena and San Gimignano; Sansepolcro, Contemporary Art; Art Theory and Criticism; collection is one of the largest English- Monterchi and Arezzo; and Fiesole. Some Art and Mythology; Symbology; Iconology; language art periodical collections in optional trips require modest fees. Iconography; ; Digital Art; Florence. Library users also have access to and Multimedia. In addition to numerous ARTstor (an online database of more than Even when not enrolled in a given class, volumes on individual artists, there are 1,500,000 art, architecture, , and MA in Art History students are welcome subsections on Women Artists; American digital images) and JSTOR to accompany field trips when space is Artists; World Artists; the Art Market; and (an online database of articles from more available. Such field trips normally include Artists on Art. than 1,500 academic journals). ARTstor and visits outside Florence to Rome; Ravenna; JSTOR can be accessed from any computer Pisa and Lucca; Siena and San Gimignano; The library’s Museology, Museums, and in SACI’s Palazzo dei Cartelloni or Jules Fiesole; Vinci and the ; Galleries section contains books on Maidoff Palazzo for the Visual Arts. SACI Bologna; the monastery of La Certosa; collecting; forming national collections; also offers online access to the Questia and Arezzo, Urbino, Monterchi, and San reviving historic collections; the ethics of library of over 9,000,000 books and articles. Sepolcro. collecting cultural property; curatorship; Online access is also available to numerous the history of curating; art magazines and journals. SACI classes also regularly visit within management; storing; archiving; the Florence incomparable collections in transportation of art works; and collections MA in Art History program students museums such as the Uffizi, Bargello, in specific museums and galleries. also have access to a remarkable range Accademia, Pitti, Marino Marini, Horne, Reference materials include bibliographies of unique libraries in or near Florence, Primo Conti, Specola, San Marco, Stibbert, (which make special note of books and including: Academy of Fine Arts Library; Bardini, and the Novecento, Florence’s articles available in the SACI Worthington Alfonso Spadoni Library; British Institute newest museum, which features a Library) for SACI’s courses in Italian Late Harold Acton Library; City of Florence collection of modern Italian art. Medieval and Early Renaissance Art History Historical Archive; Dutch Institute Library; and Italian High Renaissance, Mannerist, French Institute Library; Gabinetto Field trips are usually led by a SACI and Early Baroque Art History. Viesseux Library; Galileo Museum Library; instructor. These travel opportunities offer Kunsthistorisches Institut in Florenz students direct exposure to Europe’s art, The library’s Reference section contains as Library; Luigi Pecci Contemporary Art history, and culture. well a complete 34-volume Dictionary of Art, Center Library; Marucelliana Library; edited by Jane Turner, and volumes on art Mediceo-Laurenziana Library; National terms; art techniques; women in religious Institute for Renaissance Studies; National GENERAL INFORMATION art; and the depiction of saints, gods, and Library; Oblate Library; Opificio delle Pietre heroes in art. The library also contains Dure Library; Roberto Longhi Foundation Eligibility sections on the Italian Language (including Library; Stibbert Museum Library; Uffizi US and international students who have Italian-English dictionaries); Architecture; Gallery Library; University of Florence earned, or will have earned, a bachelor’s Art Conservation; Ceramics; Crafts and Department of Art History Library; degree, or its equivalent, prior to beginning Textiles; Fresco ; Printmaking; University of Florence Humanities Library; graduate study at SACI may apply for Illustration; Ornament; Theater; Film; Video; and University of Florence North American admission to the MA in Art History program. Graphic and Interior Design; Jewelry; the History and Literature Library. Applicants who attend, or attended, a US college or university must have earned a as indicated through submission of at The following materials are required: minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 least three letters of recommendation (based upon a scale in which A = 4.0). The that evaluate the applicant’s past → The completed online application form required minimum undergraduate grade academic performance; assess the and a $70 non-refundable processing point average in Art History course work if applicant’s appropriateness for MA in fee the applicant has had no previous graduate Art History study in Florence at SACI and experience is 3.3. The required minimum likelihood of success in the program; → Short essay describing the applicant’s grade point average in previous graduate and appraise the applicant’s potential area of specialization, objectives, work in Art History is also 3.3. for career distinction as an art historian and reasons for wishing to enter the and educator. program Those whose native language is not English who have not demonstrated English- → A background suggesting sufficient → One set of official transcripts from all language proficiency through prior study maturity to be able to take full post-secondary institutions attended in the English language at an institution advantage of the unique opportunities of higher learning will be required to available through studying Art History at → Three letters of recommendation from demonstrate English-language proficiency the graduate level in Florence. instructors or others familiar with the through one of the methods indicated in the applicant’s work. Non-US Student Admissions section of the → Clearly articulated educational goals SACI website. and academic aspirations that could → Two examples of original papers best be advanced through matriculation demonstrating the applicant’s In addition to the above, to be admitted to in SACI’s MA in Art History program. scholarship on art-historical themes. the program applicants must demonstrate: Submit in PDF format, up to 10 MB All proficiencies required for entrance to each, to admissions@saci-florence. → Academic distinction in prior university- the program must be achieved prior to edu level study as evidenced through admittance. No credit toward the degree submission of transcripts from all is permitted for study directed toward → Curriculum vitae (required of those schools attended showing courses completion of these proficiencies. who have been out of school for 3 or completed and grades received. In more years). reviewing applicants’ academic records, Application Process special attention will be paid to course Students may begin study in the MA in Art Notification work undertaken in areas most relevant History program in the Fall semester only. Decisions will be emailed to students to Art History. between April and June. Completed applications should be received → Academic promise in Art History as no later than May 1. Applications received Financial Information, Tuition, Fees, evinced through submission of two after May 1 will be considered only if space & Scholarships papers on art-historical themes. is available. For full information, please see the Dates and Fees and Scholarships sections on the → Strong support from instructors or Applicants for scholarships must apply by SACI website. As noted above, applicants others familiar with the applicant’s work March 15. for scholarships must apply by March 15.

SACI IS FOR FURTHER A United States non-profit 501(c) Authorized by the Delaware INFORMATION CONTACT (3) educational entity incorporated Department of Education to confer Studio Arts College International Studio Arts College International in 1976 the Master of Arts (MA) in Art (New York) (Florence) History 454 W 19th St Palazzo dei Cartelloni A directly accredited institutional New York, NY 10011 Via Sant’Antonino 11 member of the National Recognized by the Italian Ministry USA 50123 Florence, Italy Association of Schools of Art and of Foreign Affairs and the Italian T: (212) 248-7225 T: (39) 055-289948 Design (NASAD) Ministry of Universities as a foreign F: (212) 248-7222 F: (39) 055-2776408 non-profit university-level program E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Affiliated with Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Ohio, which Students who would like to receive is accredited by NASAD and by a copy of SACI’s accreditation, the North Central Association of licensure, and/or approval should Colleges and Secondary Schools send a signed request for such material to SACI’s Dean.

www.saci-florence.edu 04_2020