Somaiya Vidyavihar University launches school of art; 2 new MA programmes in art criticism and history

Somaiya Vidyavihar University has inaugurated the Dr Shantilal K Somaiya School of Art with two new Master of Arts (MA) programmes: MA in writing and art criticism; and MA in art history and visual studies. Interested candidates can apply till August 24, 2025. The programmes commence from August 25.

Candidates who have a bachelor’s degree in any discipline are eligible to apply for the courses. There are scholarships up to 75% available for students based on need and merit. Fees can be paid in installments.

The Multiple Entry/Exit structure outlined by the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will be applicable soon, which means if a student decides to pause their MA studies after one year, they will receive a diploma. They can restart their studies anytime and can convert the diploma to a full postgraduate (PG) degree. The credits they have earned will be retained.

Somaiya Art Programmes: Studio visits

Art studio visits will be an important part of the programmes. Students will be able to meet artists like Sudhir Patwardhan, Reena Saini Kallat and Shilpa Gupta at the “centre of the art world in Mumbai”.

The PG programmes will also include “multilingual apparatus” to understand “globalised art context”. International exchanges as well as immersion programmes will be on the cards. Interested students can apply on the given website: application.somaiya.edu.

Also read Somaiya Vidyavihar University opens admission for courses in languages, literature, writing; last date June 30

The MA in writing and art criticism is the first such course in India, according to an official statement. It will engage with South Asian as well as international written criticism of art, and will establish a relationship between image and word, and performance and response. The programme will focus on bridging traditional academia with contemporary experimentation.

MA in art history

The MA in art history and visual studies draws from disciplines like literature, anthropology, sociology, semiotics, gender studies, and cultural studies. Students will engage with popular, folk and high art, while exploring connections between regional contexts and global movements. The course aims to equip students to critically look into art links in shifting cultures.

Abhay Sardesai, director of Dr Shantilal K Somaiya School of Art, stated: “Our aim at the Dr. Shantilal K. Somaiya School of Art is to energise Indian art in different exciting ways - by developing finely layered pedagogic programmes that strengthen the research imagination of students, equipping them with academic & writerly skills, and helping them cultivate compelling curatorial capacities.”