r/MuseumPros • u/Sad_Masterpiece_5124 • 3d ago

Should I be reaching out to potential advisors for art history MA?

Title pretty much says it! I’m applying to get a masters in art history to ultimately be able to work in museums. I’m specifically looking to study decorative arts which seems to be relatively unpopular and most of the programs im applying to are very small or have only one faculty member who studies decorative arts if it’s a bigger school.

Is reaching out now to get in contact a good idea/encouraged/required?

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u/clawsinurback 3d ago

For my MA I looked at professors who matched my interests on the school website but did not reach out to them directly, I rather listed them in my statement of purpose. I’m assuming you’re looking at Wintherthur?

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u/Sad_Masterpiece_5124 3d ago

Yes, Winterthur and Bard Graduate Center are my ideal schools but they’re both so small so I know to some extent they’re a reach. I hadn’t thought of putting the specific names in the statement of purpose though so thank you! I haven’t found much in terms of resources for knowing what the statement of purpose/personal statements should look like for this sort of program

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u/vndoom 3d ago

Yes, unless there is some note saying not to on the department's webpage. If for nothing else, you should do it to make sure they aren't retiring or going on leave in the next two years. I had numerous people come into my MA program just to find out that their preferred advisor was leaving or had just left. You can also do it to check if a faculty member whose specialty isn't in the decorative arts could still, otherwise, advise on it if there is a chronological or cultural overlap in research.

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u/Infamous_State_7127 3d ago

unless it’s specified on the program website that you should reach out, you do not need to contact supervisors in advance for a master’s programme, no.

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u/IkeRoberts 3d ago

Talk to the head of graduate studies for the programs you are considering. Ask about how many students they expect to admit in your specialty and what financial support they offer to those admitted. 

You may find that they are unlikely to admit anyone in your specialty, in which case that program should be crossed off your list. 

You may find that the stipend is insufficient. Then you should also cross the program off your list. (Too many people fail to conclude that the answer to the question “How am I supposed to afford that?” is “You can’t afford that.”)

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u/Sad_Masterpiece_5124 3d ago

This is information you can find online, which I’ve already done. Two of the schools only admit people in my specialty, and I’m only considering schools with full or VERY generous funding. I only have four schools on my list so it’s not like I’m just throwing applications around.

What I want to know is whether it helps or hurts my chances to reach out to the professors i want to work with, not that school is expensive.