Master in Curating Arts and Heritage in Intercultural Perspectives at Iuav University of Venice
Two-year English-taught LM-89 master's at Iuav University of Venice that trains curators of art and cultural heritage from an intercultural and postcolonial perspective, with curating studios, exhibit design and an internship.
Master
2 years
Venice
English
Iuav University of Venice
Curating Arts and Heritage in Intercultural Perspectives is a two-year, 120 ECTS art history master's (LM-89) taught in English at Iuav University of Venice, with 60 places. It trains curators to work across cultures, from exhibition design to provenance. Fees depend on family income, so it can be tuition-free for eligible students.
Entry requirements
- A bachelor's degree in a related class, such as cultural heritage, arts, design, philosophy, humanities, modern languages, architecture, communication, sociology or history, or an AFAM arts diploma.
- Other degrees, including foreign ones, qualify with at least 24 ECTS in the course's core or related fields, checked by a committee.
- English at B2 (CEFR), shown with a certificate.
- Selection on 100 points: degree (up to 30), graduation grade (up to 20) and a video (up to 50), with at least 60 to qualify.
- Diploma or enrolment certificate, transcript or diploma supplement, translations into Italian or English, and a €30 application fee.
About the programme
Curating Arts and Heritage in Intercultural Perspectives is a two-year laurea magistrale in art history (class LM-89) at Iuav University of Venice, run by the Department of Design Cultures and coordinated by Monica Centanni. It is taught in English, carries 120 ECTS and has 60 places.
The course trains curators who can plan the curation of cultural heritage in a broad sense, from visual arts and architecture to archaeology, visual cultures and ethnographic collections. It works from an intercultural perspective: the critique of Eurocentrism, colonial histories and memories, cultural appropriation, restitution and the circulation of culture worldwide. It combines curating, interculturality and design, and suits graduates in the humanities, arts, architecture or design.
What you will study
The 2026/27 study plan is built around three curating studios, supported by courses in theory, history and display. Units include:
- Studio 1 and Studio 2: Curating in intercultural perspectives
- Studio 3: Provenance and registrar (10 ECTS)
- Postcolonial and decolonial studies, and Archaeology and colonialism
- Visual anthropology and media theory, and Visual culture
- Architecture and exhibit design, and Staging exhibit design
- Digital storytelling, Digital humanities and display, and Methodologies of display and classical tradition
- East-west relationships, Intercultural heritage geography, Aesthetics, and Semiotics and image theory
How the programme is taught
Theory is paired with hands-on workshops led by professionals who work in intercultural settings. Attendance of at least 70% of course hours is required. The plan includes a 6 ECTS internship with an outside organisation, in-house at Iuav or abroad, 4 ECTS of additional language knowledge and a 14 ECTS final examination.
Career paths
Iuav prepares graduates to work as curators in public and private cultural institutions, able to present in exhibitions the cross-cultural dynamics of different historical periods, including ideas of exoticism, orientalism, colonialism and otherness. The course aims to give both the theoretical grounding and the operational skills that curatorial work in this field requires.
Fees and scholarships
Iuav set aside ten Study@Iuav fee waivers for this master in 2026/27. The standard fee is up to €2,806.18 a year plus €192 regional tax and €16 stamp duty, scaled by ISEE, with full exemption up to an ISEE of €26,000 when merit rules are met. International students can use the ISEE parificato or a €500 or €1,000 flat rate. With the Veneto regional DSU scholarship, this master can be tuition-free for eligible students.
How to apply from outside the EU
For 2026/27 this master had 60 places: 20 for non-EU applicants living abroad and 40 for EU citizens and residents in Italy. There was one application round on the Iuav Online Desk, closing on 23 March 2026, with a video and a €30 fee.
Rankings came out on 13 April 2026, followed by a pre-enrolment fee and Universitaly pre-enrolment by 29 May 2026, then a type D study visa. The 2027/28 call is not published yet.
How ApplyAZ helps
If this programme fits your goals, ApplyAZ can include it in a shortlist of 20 to 30 English-taught programmes at Italian public universities. We write your CV and a tailored statement of purpose, submit your applications and Universitaly pre-enrolment, file your DSU scholarship application and prepare your visa file, with a named person on each stage. The university decides admission, the region decides the scholarship and the consulate decides the visa. See how ApplyAZ works or check your eligibility.
Questions and answers
Is this master taught in English?
Yes. Iuav teaches it fully in English in Venice. You need English at B2 level, shown with a certificate, to apply.
How many places are there for non-EU students?
For 2026/27 there were 60 places in total: 20 for non-EU applicants living abroad and 40 for EU citizens and non-EU residents in Italy.
Which bachelor's degrees are accepted?
Degrees in fields such as cultural heritage, arts, design, philosophy, humanities, languages, architecture, communication, sociology or history, AFAM diplomas, or other degrees with 24 ECTS in the course's fields.
Is there an entrance test?
No written test. A committee scores your degree (up to 30 points), graduation grade (up to 20) and a video (up to 50), with 60 points needed.
When is the deadline?
For 2026/27 there was one round, closing on 23 March 2026, with rankings on 13 April. The 2027/28 call is not published yet, so check Iuav's admissions page early.
What careers does it lead to?
Iuav prepares graduates to work as curators in public and private cultural institutions, bringing intercultural and postcolonial perspectives to exhibitions of art and heritage.
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