A Unique Program Designed to Meet Your Goals
Cal State East Bay’s Certificate in Art Museum and Gallery Studies is the only program of its kind in the San Francisco Bay Area and one of few in the United States. The program provides you with the knowledge and hands-on experience to pursue a career as a museum or gallery professional.
The only program of its kind offered in the San Francisco Bay Area
Taught by internationally known instructor, Lanier Graham
With convenient online course offerings, you have the flexibility to set your own pace and further your education while maintaining your schedule as a working professional.
You’ll receive exceptional training from internationally recognized curator and program director, Lanier Graham. The program combines specialized knowledge and theory with practical application through required internships.
The quality and level of instruction I received greatly surpassed my expectations. The insight gained from Professor Lanier Graham was invaluable. He is a wealth of knowledge and experience.
I’m amazed at how much I’ve learned in just two classes. This course has opened doors of creativity in my work. It has also given me the confidence to take on a greater role in my field.
The Cal State East Bay Differential
As a participant in CSUEB’s program, you will walk away with:
The educational foundation necessary to attain an entry-level position in an art museum, gallery, or cultural center (including Curatorial Assistant or Registration Assistant at larger museums and Assistant Curator at smaller museums).
Thorough grounding in the work performed by museum or gallery professionals.
Your Life in Art
As a graduate of CSUEB’s Art Museum and Gallery Studies Certificate Program, you’ll have strong connections to the museum and gallery world and make yourself a more attractive candidate to would-be employers. Archivist. Curator. Registrar. Conservator. Your employment opportunities are endless.
Surround yourself with history.
On a daily basis, you’ll be surrounded by history. Whether you’re assisting with the display, preservation, and storage of art collections or assisting with gallery operations such as budgeting and finance, you’ll have the knowledge and hands-on experience to be a vital part of the museum’s professional team.
Occupational Trends
Employment of archivists, curators, and museum technicians is projected to grow 11.6 percent from 2021 to 2031 nationally; and 15.1 percent in the San Francisco Bay Area.
–QCEW Employees - Emsi
In 2020, the industries that employed the most archivists, curators, museum technicians, and conservators were museums, historical sites, and similar institutions; government; and educational services.
–U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics
In 2020, the mean annual compensation for curators was $61,650; and the mean annual compensation for curators in the San Francisco Bay Area was $81,000.
–QCEW Employees - Emsi
A World of Opportunity
Launch your career in the thriving arts and history scene in San Francisco – or even around the world. With your Certificate in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, you’ll have the knowledge and practical skills to make an immediate contribution to your museum or gallery of choice.
Graduates of CSUEB’s program have established careers in museum and gallery work.
You can expect to demonstrate your abilities in a variety of areas including conservation and collections management, exhibition design, public programming, and administration. You’ll even be able to share your passion for art by creating and delivering education programs.
Still, other program participants have furthered their education by pursuing graduate study.
Under his guidance, I learned valuable skills. Lanier Graham was instrumental in launching me on a long and rewarding career as an art historian, culminating as Associate Curator of European Paintings at the Fine Arts Museum of San Francisco.”
As a mother of two living in Mumbai, India, this program provided me with an enhanced confidence to critically evaluate heritage sites, art exhibitions, and curated spaces in my own country, as well as opening up opportunities for professional participation in the international art community.
I feel that the rewards of this learning experience have impacted my life far beyond the scope of my initial expectations.
Program Objectives:
As a graduate of Cal State East Bay in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, you will be well-positioned to:
Apply knowledge of the history, development, and philosophy of museums and galleries to your work.
Play an active role in the management, growth, and development of a museum or gallery collection.
Employ museum best practices and ethical standards to complete museum-related work.
Program Format
Online with Real-world Application
Have the flexibility to work at your own pace with a combination of online classes and hands-on internships at venues of your choice. You’ll complete 120 hours of service for your internship.
Certificate Requirements
To earn a Certificate in Art Museum and Gallery Studies, you must complete three required courses.
Required Courses
| Course | Fall | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXTX 400: Gallery and Museum Exhibition | X | X | X |
| EXTX 401: Theories and Practices of Galleries and Museums | X | X | X |
| EXTX 402: Internship | X | X | X |
Next, meet your instructor. »
Lanier Graham, M.A.
Program Director and Adjunct Professor
There is nothing I enjoy more than training people to serve in the museum profession. Our program provides a solid foundation from which a number of our students have gone on to hold curatorial positions in Bay Area museums.
Internationally recognized curator Lanier Graham is the former director of Cal State East Bay's University Art Gallery. Graham brings a wealth of experience to Cal State East Bay, having served as the Chief Curator of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco and in senior curatorial positions at the Museum of Modern Art in New York; National Gallery of Australia in Canberra; and the Norton Simon Museum of Art in Pasadena. Graham is also a member of the Training Committee of the International Council of Museums. His knowledge and expertise have earned him the distinction of being listed in Who’s Who in American Art, Who's Who in America, and Who's Who in the World.
Graham has authored and edited a number of books and catalogues in several languages. His students have secured professional positions at noted museums and galleries such as UC Berkeley Art Museum, Hearst Art Gallery at Saint Mary's College, and the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
Ready to Enroll?
Admission to CSUEB’s Art Museum and Gallery Studies Certificate Program is accepted in Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. It is recommended you have a bachelor's degree or at least three years of professional work experience due to the writing requirements of the program.
Courses may be taken without formal admission to the certificate program.
At Cal State East Bay, we pride ourselves on putting students first, from the moment you inquire until you graduate. We hope you've found answers to your questions in this support center, but if not, please get in touch.