Museum and Gallery Studies

Description

As a student of the Museum and Gallery Studies program, you will acquire a comprehensive foundation in museum and gallery work. You will develop capabilities in the main technical areas common to all museums and galleries: conservation and collections management, exhibition design, public programming, interactive technology, and administration. By advancing your existing knowledge through a blend of engaging academic instruction and experiential learning opportunities such as technical practice and a co-op work placement, you will be prepared to understand the legacy of museums and galleries while being a part of the change that moves this field of study forward. Connecting theory with practice, the Museum and Gallery Studies program focuses on curatorial sustainability, equity and diversity in curriculum and action, and instilling collaborative approaches to problem-solving. You will receive hands-on experience working with The Campus Gallery and Georgian College’s extensive art collection. Networking with museum and gallery professionals, historians, and artists, you will create off-site exhibitions with local cultural institutions. After your coursework is complete, a four-month co-op work placement will prepare you for the next steps in your career in Museums and Galleries.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program will be prepared to work in a variety of positions within the museum and gallery industry, including:

• museum/gallery conservator assistant
• museum registrar
• collection technician
• curatorial assistant
• educator
• animateur
• museum extension officer
• exhibition technician
• art gallery preparator
• development officer
• media coordinator

Graduates may also find employment in museums and galleries in areas related to visitor services, marketing and publishing.

Program Learning Outcomes

The graduate has reliably demonstrated the ability to:

1. align museum or gallery policies and practices with global histories, cultures, and philosophies to support goals, values, and strategic direction;
2. manage the care and conservation of a variety of materials in an exhibit, a collection, or on loan to ensure their safety and preservation;
3. participate in the management, growth, and development of collections to meet the mandate and curatorial vision of the institution;
4. manage accession records for a museum or gallery collection to ensure the authenticity, validity, and status of artefacts;
5. monitor and control museum and gallery environments to maintain optimal conditions for objects and artworks in a collection or on display;
6. research and interpret museum and gallery collections and exhibition-related content to develop curatorial and archival resources for current and future programming;
7. develop educational programs and engagement initiatives, using various technologies and tools, to meet the needs of diverse audiences;
8. manage financial and operational practices to maintain the daily activities and offerings of a museum and/or gallery;
9. conduct oneself professionally in accordance with best practices and ethical museum standards;
10. research and apply environmental and sustainable work practices to maximize efficiency and waste reduction;
11. develop, manage, and review project details to carry out operational goals, programming, and events;
12. design and execute a range of museum and gallery exhibitions and programs that communicate curatorial objectives;
13. engage in community outreach initiatives to promote inclusion, collaboration, and partnerships.

Program Progression

The following reflects the planned progression for full-time offerings of the program.

Fall Intake

• Sem 1: Fall 2025
• Sem 2: Winter 2026
• Work Term: Summer 2026

Admission Requirements

• Ontario College Diploma, Ontario College Advanced Diploma, degree or equivalent 

Graduation Requirements

13 Program Courses
1 Co-op Work Term

Graduation Eligibility

To graduate from this program, a student must attain a minimum of 60% or a letter grade of P (Pass) or S (Satisfactory) in each course in each semester. The passing weighted average for promotion through each semester and to graduate is 60%.

Program Tracking 

The following reflects the planned course sequence for full-time offerings of the Fall intake of the program. Where more  than one intake is offered  contact the program co-ordinator for the program tracking.

Plan of Study Grid

Semester 1		Hours
Program Courses
MUSM 1001	Curatorial Practices	42
MUSM 1002	Collection Management	42
MUSM 1003	Exhibition Design	42
MUSM 1004	Museum and Gallery Management	42
MUSM 1006	Preventative Conservation Techniques	42
MUSM 1014	Public Engagement in Museums and Galleries	42
MUSM 1015	Visual Technologies	42
	Hours	294
Semester 2
Program Courses
MUSM 1005	Technical Practices	42
MUSM 1007	Educational Programming and Delivery	42
MUSM 1008	Advanced Museum and Gallery Management	42
MUSM 1009	Advanced Collection Management	42
MUSM 1010	Research Methods for Museums and Galleries	42
MUSM 1011	Advanced Exhibition Design	42
	Hours	252
	Total Hours	546

Plan of Study Grid

Co-op Work Term		Hours
COOP 1063	Museum and Gallery Studies Co-op Work Term	480
	Hours	480
	Total Hours	480

Graduation Window

Students unable to adhere to the program duration of one year (as stated above) may take a maximum of two years to complete their credential. After this time, students must be re-admitted into the program, and follow the curriculum in place at the time of re-admission.

Disclaimer: The information in this document is correct at the time of publication. Academic content of programs and courses is revised on an ongoing basis to ensure relevance to changing educational objectives and employment market needs. 

Program outlines may be subject to change in response to emerging situations, in order to facilitate student achievement of the learning outcomes required for graduation. Components such as courses, progression, coop work terms, placements, internships and other requirements may be delivered differently than published.