10-year strategic relationship will see two world-leading member institutions of the University of London – The Courtauld and King’s College London – collaborate on teaching, research and student experience, offering joint programmes and research.
The Courtauld Institute of Art and King’s College London today announce a new landmark 10-year strategic relationship. As close neighbours on The Strand in Central London, The Courtauld and King’s share a mutual commitment to excellence and recognition of the role that the arts and culture play in Higher Education in the UK.
The relationship will provide a new platform for working together between The Courtauld and all King’s faculties, as well as new areas for academic and educational collaboration, with the development of co-convened Masters courses, undergraduate module sharing, co-supervision of postgraduate research and interdisciplinary research opportunities. The Courtauld and King’s will jointly develop innovative postgraduate courses over a 10-year period. Postgraduate provision will also include executive education, continuous professional development and short courses and both organisations have committed to joint supervision of PhDs. The relationship will also enhance the student experience, with students gaining access to services and activities across both institutions.
Professor Deborah Swallow, Märit Rausing Director of the Courtauld Institute of Art said: “Through this strategic relationship, King’s College London and The Courtauld have a unique opportunity to achieve educational, intellectual and public benefits together – while remaining two independent institutions. The Courtauld is the world’s leading centre for the study of the history and conservation of art and architecture, which complements King’s activity from across its nine academic faculties. King’s offers a breadth of research and teaching activity, and a vibrant student experience proposition that opens up a rich interdisciplinary environment for The Courtauld academic, student and staff communities.”
King’s College London’s Principal & President, Professor Shitij Kapur said: “This new phase in the long-standing relationship between The Courtauld and King’s will serve to build on our strengths and our shared commitment to excellence, inclusion and service to society, as we enable more students, researchers and the public to benefit from and contribute to the extensive resources of both institutions.”
The Courtauld, as a specialist institution with a global reputation, distinguished history and founding principle of “art for all”, has a deep-rooted commitment to make change for the better, to be progressive, relevant, and resilient, and to push forward the understanding of the visual arts at a time when the arts have never been more important. King’s, a large multi-Faculty Russell Group institution, has strengths in all areas from the Arts & Humanities through to Medicine and Health Sciences, Psychiatry and Psychology, the Social Sciences and Natural & Mathematical Sciences, and is committed to excellence, inclusion, and service to society in making the world a better place.
Professor Evelyn Welch, Senior Vice Principal (Service, People & Planning) at King’s College London, added: “We’ll co-operate across our existing areas of synergy in cultural history, visual arts and literature and digital humanities whilst also exploring new collaborative opportunities. These activities will be powered by some very strong existing research collaborations between the institutions, as well as acting as a catalyst for exciting new ones.”
Professor Alixe Bovey, Dean and Deputy Director of The Courtauld commented: “This strategic relationship gives The Courtauld and King’s a singular opportunity to develop innovative teaching, research and public engagement that would be impossible without collaboration. Art History is a subject that touches on just about every facet of human endeavor, and through this relationship we will be able to open up exciting new questions and initiatives with disciplines across King’s.”
The Courtauld: About us
The Courtauld works to advance how we see and understand the visual arts, as an internationally-renowned centre for the teaching, research of art history and a major public gallery. Founded by collectors and philanthropists in 1932, the organisation has been at the forefront of the study of art ever since, through advanced research and conservation practice, innovative teaching, the renowned collection and inspiring exhibitions of its gallery, and engaging and accessible activities, education and events.
The Courtauld cares for one of the greatest art collections in the UK, presenting these works to the public at The Courtauld Gallery in central London, as well as through loans and partnerships. The Gallery is most famous for its iconic Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces – such as Van Gogh’s Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear and Manet’s A Bar at the Folies-Bergère. It showcases these alongside an internationally renowned collection of works from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance through to the present day.
Academically, The Courtauld faculty is the largest community of art historians and conservators in the UK, teaching and carrying out research on subjects from creativity in late Antiquity to contemporary digital art forms – with an increasingly global focus. An independent college of the University of London, The Courtauld offers a range of degree programmes from BA to PhD in the History of Art, curating, and the conservation of easel and wall paintings. Its alumni are leaders and innovators in the arts, culture and business worlds, helping to shape the global agenda for the arts and creative industries.
Founded on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to engage with art, The Courtauld works to increase understanding of the role played by art throughout history, in all societies and across all geographies – as well as being a champion for the importance of art in the present day. This could be through exhibitions offering a chance to look closely at world-famous works; events bringing art history research to new audiences; accessible and expert short courses; digital engagement, innovative school, family and community programmes; or taking a formal qualification. The Courtauld’s ambition is to transform access to art history education, by extending the horizons of what this is, and ensuring as many people as possible can benefit from the tools to better understand the visual world around us.
King’s College London: About us
King’s College London is one of the top 35 UK universities in the world and one of the top 10 in Europe (QS World University Rankings, 2020/21) and among the oldest in England. King’s has more than 31,000 students (including more than 12,800 postgraduates) from some 150 countries worldwide, and some 8,500 staff.
King’s has an outstanding reputation for world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. Since our foundation, King’s students and staff have dedicated themselves in the service of society. King’s will continue to focus on world-leading education, research and service, and has a proactive role to play in a more interconnected, complex world.
World-changing ideas. Life-changing impact: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/news/headlines.aspx
THE COURTAULD
Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 0RN
SOCIAL MEDIA
Instagram: @Courtauld; Twitter: @TheCourtauld; Youtube: TheCourtauld; Facebook: @TheCourtauld
KING’S COLLEGE LONDON
Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
SOCIAL MEDIA
Twitter: @ KingsCollegeLon; Facebook: KingsCollegeLondon
MEDIA CONTACTS
The Courtauld: media@courtauld.ac.uk
King’s College London: comms@kcl.ac.uk / 0207 848 3202
