Why learn modern art?

Learn modern art if you want to understand art and its role in society and culture. This is important for some careers, such as design or fashion. It's also part of other fields, such as history and religion. Understanding modern art can increase your creativity and help improve work in creative careers. It can also help you appreciate museum visits and popular culture. As modern art encompasses both fine arts techniques and a way of looking at the world, it can improve your critical thinking. An online course in modern art also gives you a way to explore the world's top museums from home.

What are typical careers that use modern art?

Careers that use modern art may be in the fine arts or in applied arts such as graphic design, fashion design, and photography. Art directors and game developers benefit from an understanding of the field. Knowledge of modern art is also important for careers in museum management and travel. Many teachers incorporate modern art into their classroom activities, whether they're teaching art or other subjects, such as history or geography. Although modern art may seem like a niche topic, it has relevance to fields that call for visual skills and critical thinking. It's a way of seeing the world that can improve performance in many careers.

How can online courses help me learn about modern art?

Online courses can help you learn modern art by giving you exposure to some of the finest works of arts and lecturers from the world's top museums and universities. Without leaving home, you can experience paintings, sculptures, and other works in great detail. The images are prepared by professionals to help you learn. The information in online classes will give you context for understanding the things you see. Whether you're studying art or design, looking for a general education requirement, or simply looking to expand your personal knowledge, studying modern art through an online course can give you insight, enrichment, and practical information.

What are the benefits of taking an online Modern Art course?

Online Modern Art courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Modern Art skills. Choose from a wide range of Modern Art courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Modern Art courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Modern Art, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Best Modern Art Courses & Certificates [2025]

Explore the Modern Art Course Catalog

Status: Free Trial
The Museum of Modern Art
Modern Art & Ideas
Skills you'll gain: Art History, Liberal Arts, Aesthetics, Creativity, Cultural Diversity, Social Justice, Storytelling, Design, Design Elements And Principles, Content Creation
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.8K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
The Museum of Modern Art
Modern and Contemporary Art and Design
Skills you'll gain: Art History, Performing Arts, Photography, Liberal Arts, Aesthetics, Creativity, Electronic Media, Culture, Cultural Diversity, Media and Communications, Public History, Social Justice, Design, Content Creation, Storytelling, Design Elements And Principles, Multimedia, Sustainable Development, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Sustainability Standards
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
15K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Preview
The Museum of Modern Art
In the Studio: Postwar Abstract Painting
Skills you'll gain: Art History, Design Elements And Principles, Aesthetics, Color Theory
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
1.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Wesleyan University
The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 1)
Skills you'll gain: Aesthetics, Art History, European History, Liberal Arts, World History, Culture, Socioeconomics, Political Sciences, Sociology
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1K reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Preview
Universidad de Palermo
Historia del Arte: Del Barroco al Arte Posmoderno
Skills you'll gain: Art History, Aesthetics, Timelines, World History, Culture, European History, Design Elements And Principles
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
191 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
Status: Preview
Wesleyan University
The Modern and the Postmodern (Part 2)
Skills you'll gain: Liberal Arts, Culture, European History, World History, Psychology, Political Sciences, Sociology, Social Sciences
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
367 reviews
Mixed · Course · 1 - 3 Months

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Status: Preview
University of Virginia
The Modern World, Part One: Global History from 1760 to 1910
Skills you'll gain: European History, World History, International Relations, Social Sciences, Political Sciences, Economics, Socioeconomics, Cultural Diversity, Governance
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
3.1K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
Skillshare
The Art of Film and Video Editing
Skills you'll gain: Video Editing, Color Matching
Beginner · Specialization · 1 - 3 Months
Status: New
Status: Preview
Michigan State University
Digital Painting Specialization
Skills you'll gain: Color Theory, Digital Design, Graphics Software, Creative Design, Creativity, Adobe Creative Cloud, Image Quality, Design
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
Graphic Design
Skills you'll gain: Typography, Design Elements And Principles, Graphic Design, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Design, Visual Design, Photography, Logo Design, Design Software, Digital Design, Creative Design, Color Theory, Photo Editing, Adobe InDesign, Graphic and Visual Design, Image Quality, Style Guides, Branding, Art History, Design Research
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
22K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: Free Trial
The Museum of Modern Art
Teaching with Art: Using Inquiry, Activities, and Themes
Skills you'll gain: Design Thinking, Art History, Liberal Arts, Lesson Planning, Literacy, Creative Thinking, Aesthetics, Learning Styles, Teaching, Learning Strategies, Social Studies, Empathy, Emotional Intelligence, Creativity, Instructional Strategies, Student Engagement, Curriculum Planning, Self-Awareness, Research, Curriculum Development
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
2K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Status: New
Status: Free Trial
California Institute of the Arts
The Art of Filmmaking
Skills you'll gain: Adobe Premiere, Peer Review, Video Editing, Videography, Video Production, Post-Production, Photo/Video Production and Technology, Editing, Photography, Media Production, Visual Design, Graphic and Visual Design, Design Elements And Principles, Creativity, Storytelling, Creative Design, Content Creation, Color Theory, Graphic and Visual Design Software, Personal Development
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months