Course Title: Cultural Performance (5 x 1 yr, full time / 2 yrs, part time) - MA
Validating Body: University of Bristol
Hours per week: 35 hours
Places: 5
Entry requirements: A good first degree or equivalent, interview/workshop
Minimum age: 21

Course Description:
Launched in October 1999, the Department joins forces with Welfare State International, an established company of artists of worldwide acclaim, to offer the first ever course of its kind. Working with scholars from one of the country's leading Drama Departments and senior artists in the field of celebratory art, students will have the chance to combine research and practice through this unprecedented approach.
Pioneers of "everyday" art, Welfare State International have become recognised for their work with local communities in the areas of carnivals, festival, disguisings, celebrations, ceremonies, rites of passage and popular entertainments. The recent opening of their new purpose built resource centre, Lanternhouse, in Cumbria, has enabled the company to offer an extended training programme. John Fox, founder member of Welfare State states:
"I'm delighted to respond to this partnership with the Department of Drama at Bristol University. It will be an important collaboration - guaranteed to push vernacular art, celebratory events and rites of passage research to a new creative edge."
The course will explore new approaches to Cultural Performance, focusing on performance in the community, in everyday life, and as a social process. This new collaboration with the University of Bristol ensures students benefit from a combination of analysis, research and exciting creative projects.
Applicants from a range of backgrounds are welcomed: visual artists, musicians, performers, teachers, community artists, those working in a broad social context and recent graduates. The MA is one year full-time, two years part-time. The first part of the course is based at Bristol University, the second at Lanternhouse, Ulverston, Cumbria.