The Masters in Social Sculpture is o­ne of four taught, interdisciplinary programmes in contemporary arts and music at Oxford Brookes University.

It offers practitioners, from arts and non-arts backgrounds, the unique opportunity of developing interdisciplinary, ecologically and socially engaged work, informed by reflection o­n the social sculpture ideas and work of Joseph Beuys and related thinkers and practitioners.


A Holistic Approach towards a Sustainable Future

Philosophies and interdisciplinary practices related to social sculpture explored include: 

    participatory and socially engaged practices 
    connective aesthetics
    cross artform work
    environmental and ecological art
    interventionist actions
    phenomenological and eco-philosophies
    direct democracy processes
    and other forms of work toward a sustainable future.


Students explore different modes of thinking, new strategies and methodologies of engagement and the social sculpture ideas through their own practice, which benefits from its close proximity to the research culture of the Social Sculpture Research Unit, in whose forums, projects and presentations the masters' students participate.

More about the course
The histories, philosophies and practices of social sculpture are studied in a specialist Social Sculpture module alongside a Creative Strategies module shared by all four programmes.

Students also undertake self-determined, practice-based research that incorporates appropriate theory, and forms the basis for their final Major Project.

Dialogue, feedback and tutorial support
Students and tutors meet regularly in an MA FORUM to discuss work and relevant issues.

All programmes involve a unique approach to 'feedback' and share an emphasis o­n location, context and audience.

Concern with context and methods of engagement creates a common thread for the annual ‘festival' of MA work, which presents the Major Project work to a wider public.

Social sculpture students may negotiate to link their Major Project to their home context. Students may elect to have tutorials o­n their own or in small groups.

The MA in Social Sculpture can be taken full time over o­ne calendar year (Sept - Sept) or part time over two years (two year option advised)

It offers
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a unique opportunity to explore the contemporary relevance of the social sculpture ideas and work of Joseph Beuys

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a space for experimentation and reflection

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a specialist research unit that is linked to an international community of practitioners, activists and thinkers

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excellent teaching by artists involved in social sculpture and related practices (see www.exchange-values.org)

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exchanges with the Bauhaus University, in Weimar, Germany

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24 hour/365 day access to excellent facilities

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We welcome visits from prospective students and will do telephone interviews for international students.

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For more information please contact:
The Postgraduate Administrator
Sue Ash
Tel: +44 (0) 1865 484959 Email: sash@brookes.ac.uk
School of Arts, Oxford Brookes University, Headington, Oxford, OX3 0BP