Back to What Is Contemporary Art?
The Museum of Modern Art

What Is Contemporary Art?

What is contemporary art? In this course, you’ll consider this question through works of art made since 1980. Hear directly from artists, architects, and designers from around the globe about their creative processes, materials, and inspiration. You’ll look at 3D–printed glass and fiber sculptures, performances in a factory and a museum, portraits (including those made with artificial intelligence) and interventions into television and video games. Not only will you develop a deeper understanding of how artists work today, you’ll also explore some of their approaches to the pressing issues and questions of our time. By taking this course, you’ll build skills for looking at contemporary art wherever you encounter it and make connections to your own life or creative practice.

Status: Performing Arts
Status: Creativity
BeginnerCourse12 hours

Featured reviews

CB

5.0Reviewed Sep 22, 2020

Greatly broadened my idea of what contemporary art is and introduced me to some very innovative andunique ways to present views of contemporary worldwide issues.

GP

5.0Reviewed Jun 16, 2020

I discovered a lot of unfamiliar artists and topic such as border. It was worth taking this. I'm glad that I was able to absorb at this online class because it's my first time online course.

IM

5.0Reviewed May 20, 2020

Outstanding collection of artistic philanthropists, huge awakening of Visual Arts as a vehicle to profession and put light on global and social issues.

PB

5.0Reviewed May 16, 2020

Unless you are a regular at MoMA you will learn about a wide range of artists and media that reflect a wide variety of contexts relevant to the world that we all live in.

JD

4.0Reviewed Mar 29, 2020

Mind-openingThe course gave me completely new perspectives on the use artists make of a variety of materials including audio, advertising boards, film, personal movement and photographs.

NB

5.0Reviewed Jun 10, 2020

I really enjoyed this class. I honesty didn't know if i would enjoy it or not. I was skeptical, but wanted to give it a try. I really learned so much. Thank you so much.

AA

5.0Reviewed Jun 26, 2020

I really enjoyed it, especially having memory checks. This is something that I didn't have at art school and it would have been super useful. I also had a blast during the online party =)

HP

5.0Reviewed May 21, 2020

very insightful, inspiring and reflective. I would love to do another course like this with more practical work like create art and submit as well :)

MR

5.0Reviewed Mar 25, 2020

Great selections of artists . The course is full of videos, texts and interviews with the artists to delve into a beautiful journey of discovery of Contemporary Art.

BS

5.0Reviewed Jun 17, 2020

Will help you broaden your perception of what is and isn't contemporary art. It will also introduce you to mediums we don't often think of as a measure of art.

CS

5.0Reviewed Jun 27, 2020

Excellent, informative course, with much diversity. I laughed and smiled, felt awe and inspiration, cried and felt the pain and the beautiful defiance of pieces I might have never appreciated before.

CE

5.0Reviewed Apr 21, 2020

Whether a fan of modern art or not, this course is really interesting and educational on how art is created, the story behind the piece, the materials, etc. Really well done by MOMA, thank you.

All reviews

Showing: 20 of 419

Emily Basham
2.0
Reviewed Feb 21, 2020
Adriana Silva
1.0
Reviewed Mar 19, 2020
Alessandra M. Ribeiro
2.0
Reviewed Apr 19, 2020
Carla Eid
5.0
Reviewed Apr 21, 2020
Brenda Robredo Campero
5.0
Reviewed Mar 13, 2020
Chisco Valdés
5.0
Reviewed Jan 24, 2020
Danny Vega
5.0
Reviewed Jan 20, 2020
J-Man
5.0
Reviewed Jan 23, 2020
Dario Puglisi
5.0
Reviewed Apr 13, 2020
Natalie Chui
5.0
Reviewed Jun 16, 2020
Gavin Haughton
5.0
Reviewed May 5, 2020
Gabby C Prado
5.0
Reviewed Jun 16, 2020
Foteinh Dalkavoukh
3.0
Reviewed Nov 24, 2021
Dr. Oliver Koch
3.0
Reviewed Jun 8, 2020
Miguel Ignacio Odriozola Juan
5.0
Reviewed Apr 29, 2020
Jaime Fernandez Garcia
5.0
Reviewed Apr 2, 2020
Marta Razza
5.0
Reviewed Mar 25, 2020
Odalys
5.0
Reviewed Mar 13, 2020
Celina Collot
5.0
Reviewed Apr 14, 2020
Paccelli Zahler
5.0
Reviewed Jan 22, 2020