Modern and Contemporary Art and Design

Seeing modern art the way curators do

Offered by The Museum of Modern Art, this specialization is a guided tour through the ideas, movements, and cultural forces that shaped art and design from the twentieth century onward. It trades textbook art history for the kind of close looking MoMA's own curators practice.

Who it's for

Pitched at a beginner level, it welcomes anyone curious about contemporary culture, design thinking, or the arts — no prior art history background needed to follow the discussions.

What you'll build

• A framework for interpreting modern and contemporary works
• Appreciation for cultural diversity across artistic movements
• Sharper creative and critical-looking skills

Nearly 91,000 learners have taken this specialization, drawn by the rare chance to learn directly from one of the world's most influential art institutions rather than a generic survey course.