Sexing the Canvas: Art and Gender from Coursera

What do paintings tell us about sex? How is art gendered? In this course we will study some of the world’s most beloved pictures guided by expert curators and art historians who step outside of the square, bringing a gendered reading to the masterpieces contained in the magnificent collections that we have been lucky enough to bring to the Coursera platform. In this course you will learn how: * Gender and sexuality is an integral part of the production and reception of works of art * To increase your understanding of paintings through theories of gender and sexuality * To understand key terms from gender-related theories of art history and museology * To recognise the operation of what is termed ‘the gaze’ and how it works in relation to paintings * Ideas about gender and sexuality can productively be employed in theorising art curatorial practices * To take the initiative in relating theoretical ideas about gender and sexuality to the reading and display of art and visual cultures. View the MOOC promotional video here: http://tinyurl.com/hm7qbl3

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Covers important gender and sexuality topics in the creative space

Students learn to increase their understanding of paintings through theories of gender and sexuality

Provides a comprehensive study of the topic

Teaches key terms from gender-related theories of art history and museology

Develops skills in recognizing the operation of ‘the gaze’ in relation to paintings

Course instructors are experts

Reviews summary

Excellent art history course

Based on 4 5-star reviews, this course is an excellent introduction to the topic of art and gender. Guided by expert curators and art historians, students will learn how gender and sexuality have been integral to the production and reception of works of art. They will also increase their understanding of paintings through theories of gender and sexuality, and understand key terms from gender-related theories of art history and museology. The course will also teach students how to recognize the operation of what is termed ‘the gaze’ and how it works in relation to paintings. Finally, students will learn how to take the initiative in relating theoretical ideas about gender and sexuality to the reading and display of art and visual cultures. Overall, this course is highly recommended for anyone interested in learning more about art and gender.

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Sexing the Canvas: Art and Gender with these activities:

Volunteer at a local museum or art gallery

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This activity provides an opportunity to gain practical experience working with art and interacting with the public.

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Find a museum or art gallery that needs volunteers.
Apply to volunteer.
Complete the required training.
Volunteer on a regular basis.

Explore the online exhibitions and resources of the Coursera Art Museum

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This activity provides an opportunity to explore the course material in a more interactive way.

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Visit the Coursera Art Museum website.
Explore the online exhibitions.
Read the accompanying essays and articles.

Review 'The Art of Looking' by James Elkins

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Reading this book provides a comprehensive overview of various ways one can look at and interpret art.

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Read the book in its entirety.
Annotate and highlight key points.
Summarize the key points in your own words.

Five other activities

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Practice identifying and analyzing the use of gender and sexuality in art

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This activity provides an opportunity to practice the skills learned in the course.

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Select a few artworks to analyze.
Identify the ways in which gender and sexuality are represented in the artworks.
Analyze the significance of these representations.

Write a report on the gender and sexuality of a specific artist

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This activity allows you to research and analyze the work of a specific artist through the lens of gender and sexuality.

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Choose an artist to research.
Research the artist's life and work.
Analyze the artist's work through the lens of gender and sexuality.
Write a report on your findings.

Attend a workshop or lecture on gender and sexuality in art

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This activity provides an opportunity to learn from experts in the field.

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Find a workshop or lecture on gender and sexuality in art.
Attend the workshop or lecture.

Create and write a short story that explores the themes of gender and sexuality in art.

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This activity encourages you to think creatively about the course material and express your understanding through a different medium.

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Brainstorm ideas for a story that explores the themes of gender and sexuality in art.
Write an outline for your story.
Write the first draft of your story.
Revise and edit your story.

Start a project to curate and exhibit online an art collection based on the course themes

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This project allows you to apply the knowledge gained in the course to a practical project.

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Research and select the artworks that will be included in the collection.
Write curatorial statements for each artwork.
Design and develop the online exhibition.
Promote and market the exhibition.

Career center

Learners who complete Sexing the Canvas: Art and Gender will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Museum Director

Museum directors manage day-to-day operations, create strategic plans, and foster partnerships between museums and the communities they serve. As this course examines the gendered production and reception of works of art and the role of gender in curatorial practices, it could be exceptionally valuable to aspiring museum directors. By gaining a deeper understanding of these topics, you can make informed decisions about collection development, exhibition design, and public programming that is inclusive and representative of diverse perspectives.

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Art Curator

Art curators oversee the care and display of art collections in museums and galleries. This course explores the gendered history of art and the role of the male gaze. By understanding these topics, art curators are better equipped to develop exhibitions and produce accompanying materials that challenge traditional narratives and promote the understanding and appreciation of art from diverse perspectives.

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Art historian

Art historians research, analyze, and interpret art. This course explores the gendered nature of art history, including the ways in which women and artists from marginalized communities have been historically excluded from the canon. By engaging with this course, aspiring art historians can develop a more inclusive and critical understanding of art history.

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Art conservator

Art conservators preserve and restore works of art. This course examines the ways in which art is produced and consumed through the lens of gender. Gaining this perspective can help art conservators to understand and address the unique challenges of preserving and restoring artworks by women and artists from marginalized communities.

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Art Educator

Art educators develop and implement educational programs in museums, galleries, and schools. This course provides an in-depth examination of the role of gender in the production, interpretation, and consumption of art. This knowledge is invaluable for art educators, as it enables them to design and deliver educational programs that are inclusive and responsive to the diverse needs of students.

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Art Critic

Art critics write reviews and articles about art and exhibitions. This course examines the ways in which art is gendered and how this shapes its reception and interpretation. An understanding of these topics is essential for art critics, as it enables them to produce more informed and nuanced critiques of art.

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Gallery Director

Gallery directors manage art galleries and oversee the exhibition and sale of art. This course explores the gendered history of art and the ways in which art is produced and consumed. This knowledge is valuable for gallery directors, as it can inform their decisions about which artworks to exhibit and sell.

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Art dealer

Art dealers buy and sell art. This course examines the gendered history of art and the ways in which art is produced and consumed. This knowledge is valuable for art dealers, as it can inform their decisions about which artworks to buy and sell.

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Art Appraiser

Art appraisers determine the value of art for insurance, tax, or other purposes. This course examines the ways in which art is produced and consumed and how this shapes its value. By understanding these topics, art appraisers can make more informed assessments of the value of artworks.

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Art Collector

Art collectors acquire and manage collections of art. This course examines the gendered history of art and the ways in which art is produced and consumed. This knowledge is valuable for art collectors, as it can inform their decisions about which artworks to collect.

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Art Consultant

Art consultants advise clients on the purchase, sale, and management of art. This course examines the gendered history of art and the ways in which art is produced and consumed. This knowledge is valuable for art consultants, as it can inform their advice to clients.

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Museum Registrar

Museum registrars manage the records and paperwork for museum collections. This course examines the ways in which art is gendered and how this shapes its reception and interpretation. Museum registrars with a deeper understanding of these topics are better equipped to provide accurate and comprehensive information about the artworks in their care.

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Art Librarian

Art librarians manage the collections and services of art libraries. This course examines the gendered history of art and the ways in which art is produced and consumed. This knowledge is valuable for art librarians, as it can inform their collection development and reference services.

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Art Publisher

Art publishers produce and distribute books, prints, and other publications about art. This course examines the gendered history of art and the ways in which art is produced and consumed. This knowledge is valuable for art publishers, as it can inform their decisions about which artworks to publish.

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Art Therapist

Art therapists use art to help people with mental health conditions. This course may be useful for art therapists who want to develop a deeper understanding of the ways in which art is gendered and how this can impact the therapeutic process.

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