Chinese Object Study Workshops
Chinese Object Study Workshops is a program providing graduate students studying Chinese art history an immersive experience in the study of Chinese objects in North American museum collections.
This program underscores the critical importance of sophisticated visual analysis in the field of art history, a skill that is cultivated through direct engagement with objects during a week-long workshop (Monday-Friday). This program is dedicated to preserving and advancing the tradition of direct object study, ensuring that the next generation of art historians is equipped with the essential skills to interpret and appreciate Chinese art.
For inquiries, please contact cosw-info@umich.edu.
Applications for 2025 Workshops now open, the deadline to apply is March 3, 2025.
2025 Workshops
Applications for our 2025 are now open, the deadline to apply is March 3, 2025.
Materials & Methods in Calligraphy
June 9 — June 13, 2025
Location: UMMA in Ann Arbor, MI
On Jewelness: Buddhist Materiality
August 18 — August 22, 2025
Location: Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
What to expect
Participants in each workshop spend the week engaged in intensive object study, discussion, and research with a small group of other graduate students, faculty members, and curators and conservators from the host museum.
In addition, participants are required to:
- Complete assigned reading in advance
- Complete a research project based on an object or objects they encountered
- Present this project to fellow workshop students and leaders (often via Zoom)
- Follow the presentation with a written report shared with the workshop host museum
Lodging, most meals, and a transportation stipend will be provided to each participant.
Who Can Apply
The program is open to graduate students enrolled in, or accepted to, a PhD program in the field of Chinese art history at a North American or European university. Graduate students from other art history–related programs and/or who are working closely with Chinese art objects are welcome to apply as well. Applicants may be of any nationality and may apply for more than one workshop. Each workshop is designed for around 10 students.
Applications Now Open, the deadline to apply is March 3, 2025.
Explore Chinese art at UMMA
SUPPORT
This program is funded by a generous grant from the Kingfisher Foundation and advised by a steering committee: Jonathan Hay, Institute of Fine Arts, NYU; Stephen Little, Los Angeles County Museum of Art; Lihong Liu, University of Michigan; Natsu Oyobe, University of Michigan Museum of Art; Kathleen Ryor, Carleton College; Joseph Scheier-Dolberg, Metropolitan Museum of Art; Jan Stuart, National Museum of Asian Art; and Peter Sturman, University of California, Santa Barbara. The University of Michigan Museum of Art is administering the program.
