Academic titlePerformance and Media Arts Master in Arts
Course descriptionContemporary performance practice has been profoundly influenced by the development of new and emerging digital and media technologies. Exciting new opportunities are opening up for the twenty-first century performance practitioner equipped with conceptual and professional skills to engage with these technologies. The field of contemporary performance encompasses a wide range of practical investigation and conceptual intention. Traditional models of performance (dance, theatre and music) need to respond to the challenges offered by innovative practice in performance and through collaboration with new media. New debates are opening up as innovative modes of production and distribution challenge traditional assumptions about performance practice and consumption. Artists’ awareness of the potential uses and application of media arts within performance and of performance within media arts is growing all the time as the technology and expertise evolves.
The MA Performance and Media Arts development emerged from this context. Following the development of joint degree routes in ‘Music and Media’ and ‘Media and Theatre’ at established practice in offering inter (mixed media) and cross (with Fine Art) disciplinary crafts undergraduate degrees, the opportunity to offer a similar ambition within postgraduate study became evident. The course focuses on experimentation within the framework of contemporary performance. Undertaken within a predominantly process-led research activity, it will encourage students to develop analytical work within both scholarly and professional activity. The course aims to support and develop student progression into further doctoral study, and to encourage appropriate business development of ideas and practices through providing a critical framework within which students can explore the wider relevance of contemporary performance practice. The subject group has a strong tradition of encouraging students’ professional development through critical reflection, creative strategies and personal management of skill development.