Module Directory

This module offers you the opportunity to learn about and contribute to the dissemination of the Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA) by developing research and professional skills to create an object-based learning project that will enable the integration of artworks into collaborative learning sessions. Over an intensive period of 10 weeks, you will learn about the foundation, mission and vision of ESCALA, how it serves the University community and broader audiences. You will study select artworks of modern and contemporary art from Latin America held by ESCALA and develop practical steps that contribute to their dissemination in research and teaching . This module gives you a unique opportunity to engage with the real-world challenges of running a University-based art collection, through sessions led by ESCALA's curatorial team. You will learn key professional, communication  and presentation skills required for working in cultural institutions, including specific abilities to write label texts for artworks and to prepare object-based learning materials that enable ESCALA’s artworks to be used in teaching. 

The aims of this module are:

• To provide students with opportunities to study artworks from ESCALA at first-hand, directly accessing the Collection and related resources.


• To encourage students to research artworks collected by ESCALA.


• To equip students to develop real-world transferable skills in preparing an object-based learning project based on specific ESCALA artworks.


• To equip students to develop strong oral and written communication and presentation skills.


• To equip students to work collaboratively and contribute to ESCALA’s mission as a public-facing resource engaging with diverse communities.

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

• Developed the skills to research artworks collected by ESACLA.


• Developed the skills to design an object-based learning session suitable for modules taught at the University of Essex and/or activities with other audiences.


• Developed their individual presentation style and skills based on feedback from the tutor and peers and on self-evaluation.


• Developed an ability to work  in a collaborative rather than competitive way, attuning research to foster engagement with ESCALA among the University community.


• Improved their ability to work flexibly and under the pressure of time in learning new material and transforming it into different formats within a few weeks.


• Gained a greater awareness of ESCALA and of contemporary art traditions beyond Europe and the U.S.

"Collecting Art from Latin America” will support the development of core skills for your development as emerging professionals in cultural institutions. You will learn about the mission and vision of the Essex Collection of Art from Latin America (ESCALA) and consider how object-based learning can align to ESCALA’s values and to fostering exchange and community through art at the University. You will study and learn about holdings within ESCALA considering the Collection Themes around the Environment, Indigenous America, Human Rights. You will consider how art and art collections contribute to discussions around pressing and contentious contemporary debates. The coursework focuses on real-world skills, introducing you to writing artwork labels to make them accessible to diverse audiences and engaging you with different approaches to object-based learning to develop your own proposal based on an artwork/artworks in ESCALA. You will be guided carefully through this process and will be required to work within a clear set of guidelines and procedures which will also give you insight into the best practice in Object-Based Learning followed by collections such as ESCALA.

Although no prior regional expertise is required for this module, students are encouraged to gain an initial awareness of art from Latin America before the module begins through recommended readings. Weekly required readings on theoretical and art critical issues will inform group discussions and individual research into artworks to be proposed for acquisition in the coursework assignments. Students will need to become familiar with ESCALA's holdings through online resources, such as artist interviews and texts produced by students from the University of Essex, as well as independent research.

This module will be delivered via:

• Weekly two hour seminars

This module requires students to complete the essential readings for each week in order to facilitate discussion during the seminars. The sessions cover topics, theories and artworks; discussion and close analysis of ESCALA artworks; discussion of set readings; presentations on ESCALA's institutional ethos and collecting policy; and formative advice and feedback to strengthen presentation skills and coursework preparation