The Courtauld Institute has announced a new partnership with the National Portrait Gallery, creating new opportunities for students on its MA Curating programme to learn directly within one of the UK’s leading museum institutions.
The collaboration forms part of the Courtauld’s long-term strategy to give students greater access to professional experience inside major cultural organisations. From the 2027–28 academic year, students will take part in a collaborative “Working within Institutions” teaching strand, drawing on expertise from both the Courtauld and the National Portrait Gallery.
The partnership is also expected to create opportunities for dissertation co-supervision and future postgraduate research collaboration.
The Courtauld’s MA Curating programme combines academic study with practical curatorial training, supported by the Courtauld Gallery’s exhibition programme and wider institutional expertise. Recent students have worked on exhibitions and public programmes with the Nicoletta Fiorucci Foundation, St Mary le Strand, Strawberry Hill House & Garden and the Freud Museum.
The programme is led by Dr Devika Singh and Dr Sofia Gotti, both art historians and curators with extensive international experience. Singh was previously Curator, International Art at Tate Modern and recently curated the Voices sector of Paris Photo 2025, while Gotti was part of the curatorial team for the 2024 Venice Biennale.
The pair will also guest curate the Spotlight section of Frieze Masters 2026 in London this October.
Mark Hallett, Märit Rausing Director of the Courtauld, said:
“The National Portrait Gallery continues to innovate in the curation and public presentation of art. We are delighted that our MA Curating students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience within this world-class context and with experts in their field.”
Victoria Siddall, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, added:
“We are thrilled to be launching this collaboration between the Courtauld and the National Portrait Gallery that will support the next generation of curators, researchers and cultural leaders.”
She said the partnership would create meaningful opportunities for students while also contributing to wider thinking around the future of museums.
The Courtauld’s MA Curating alumni network spans 83 countries, with graduates going on to work across institutions including Tate, the Guggenheim, the National Gallery in London and the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC.
Applications for entry to the Courtauld’s MA Curating programme in 2027 open next month.
Find out more: HERE
