The Cooper-Hewitt Museum first offered a Masters Program in European decorative arts in 1982. It was intended to draw on the Museum's collections and staff expertise to teach the materials, interpretation, and design styles of European decorative arts from the Renaissance to the twentieth century. The Program was jointly taught with the Parsons School of Design. In 1996, the two institutions began a Masters Program in American decorative arts, taught in association with the Smithsonian Associates, Washington, D.C. The Program offers professional training but goes beyond connoisseurship to include consideration of historical and cultural issues; understanding of the relationship of materials, form, and function; and the development of communication skills.
Lisa Taylor, Director of the Cooper-Hewitt Museum, founded the European arts program, which was directed by Henry Joyce (part-time) from 1982 until about 1990. Maria Conelli became the first full-time Director, serving 1991- , and established the program in American decorative arts.
Smithsonian Institution Archives, Agency History. Record 226462
