MA Spatial Practices:
Art, Architecture & Performance
1 year full-time, 2 years part-time at UCA Canterbury

The course provides opportunities for students and practitioners from a breadth of backgrounds to investigate critical issues of how we make and 'practice' space, and how it defines us. The course focuses on issues of 'site' and the 'spatial' – which may be interpreted widely as architectural, phenomenological, institutional, discursive, cultural, specific or performative.

Drawing on the close relationship between fine art and architecture, you may work collaboratively or on individual projects, which extend the boundaries of contemporary art, architecture, performance and spatial practices.

Your final work can be realised through various modes, including exhibition, performance, (spatial) proposal, or dissertation. In addition, your research can be contextualised within the wider debate surrounding to contemporary spatial practices which includes how spaces are produced, performed, theorised and gendered.

Stage 1
Questions of space are addressed through a seminar programme. Your research focuses on critical issues of spatial practices in determining meanings and material possibilities in relation to art, architecture and performance.You develop a project proposal with the support of the teaching team.

Stage 2
Investigate and develop your project through research, field work (where appropriate), interdisciplinary debate and explorative practices. You are supported through individual and group tutorials and a visiting lecturer programme.

Stage 3
Realise your project through intervention, exhibition, proposal or dissertation.

How this course is taught
This course is taught through the Canterbury School of Architecture which is a modern, progressive design environment established more than fifty years ago. The course is supported by seminars, tutorials, workshops, work in progress sessions and critiques. The progressive move from staff directed to autonomous learning is an integral part of the structure of this course, with you identifying, developing and managing your own project.

How this course is assessed
A range of assessment methods are used, including reviews of coursework, presentations and written submissions. Peer and self-assessment are also used at appropriate points, to enable you to achieve an increasingly self-critical view of your work.

Please click here to view student work on Flikr.