Bard Graduate Center is devoted to the study of decorative arts, design history, and material culture through research, advanced degrees, exhibitions, publications, and events.

Bard Graduate Center advances the study of decorative arts, design history, and material culture through its object-centered approach to teaching, research, exhibitions, publications, and events.

At BGC, we study the human past and present through their material expressions. We focus on objects and other material forms—from those valued for their aesthetic elements to the ordinary things used in everyday life.

Our accomplished interdisciplinary faculty inspires and prepares students in our MA and PhD programs for successful careers in academia, museums, and the private sector. We bring equal intellectual rigor to our acclaimed exhibitions, award-winning catalogues and scholarly publications, and innovative public programs, and we view all of these integrated elements as vital to our curriculum.

BGC’s campus comprises a state-of-the-art academic programs building at 38 West 86th Street, a gallery at 18 West 86th Street, and a residence hall at 410 West 58th Street. A new collection study center will open at 8 West 86th Street in 2026.

Founded by Dr. Susan Weber in 1993, Bard Graduate Center has become the preeminent institute for academic research and exhibition of decorative arts, design history, and material culture. BGC is an accredited unit of Bard College and a member of the Association of Research Institutes in Art History (ARIAH).

Samuel Snodgrass, BGC MA, presented his paper, Gentlemen Prefer Robes, at Chicago Fashion Lyseum’s (CFL) inaugural conference, “Fashion at the Periphery.” This conference destabilizes this binary by looking at fashion issues and subjects that reside in the periphery, some by choice, others through neglect, and many as a result of injustice.

Jessie Mordine Young, BGC MA student, textile curator, teacher of traditional textile techniques, and maker, speaks with LaChaun Moore in Gist Yarn & Fiber’s Weave Podcast episode, Weaving and Tufting With Jessie Mordine Young. Young has also been serving as the managing editor of Tatter Library’s new digital publication, “Tatter”, a quarterly publication containing essays about cloth. The first issue. centered around Isolation, can be viewed here.

Kate Sekules, BGC PhD student released her book Mend!: A Refashioning Manuel and Manifesto. In this book Kate Sekules introduces the art of visible mending as part of an important movement to give fashion back its soul. Part manifesto, part how-to, MEND! calls for bold new ways of keeping clothes and refreshing your style. Crammed with tips, fun facts, ravishing photography, and illustrated tutorials, MEND! tells you exactly how to rescue and renew your wardrobe with flair and aplomb—and save money along the way.