History of Art
The College of Liberal Arts & Sciences offers a BA, BGS, and BFA, as well as a MA and a PhD in the History of Art. A wide range of courses focus on diverse forms of art and visual culture from prehistory to the present in Europe, the U.S., East Asia, and Africa, both within national traditions and transnationally. Award-winning professors and graduate teaching assistants provide instruction in courses ranging from introductory surveys to graduate seminars, emphasizing critical thinking and active learning.
Classes take full advantage of the rich collection of over 45,000 objects in the Spencer Museum of Art, one of the top-rated university art museums in the country.
History of Art Department website
Sample of Related Skills
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of artistic traditions and processes from across the globe, in their historical and cultural frameworks and as they evolve through time
- Know how to gain a better understanding of the past and the present through the analysis of visual and material objects
- Know how to read primary and secondary historical sources critically
- Demonstrate facility with online image and archival databases
- Know how to construct an effective argument
- Interpret a culture's values and beliefs, showing visual literacy and using current modes of critical and theoretical thought
- Conduct historical research and reach evidence-based conclusions about works of art
Jobs to Consider
- Archivist
- Art Appraiser
- Art Consultant
- Art Critic
- Antiques Dealer
- College/University Professor of Art History
- Art Handler
- Arts Journalist
- Museum Curator
- Museum Educator
- Museum Technician and Conservator
- Editor
- Commercial Art Gallery Owner
- Commercial Art Gallery Curator/Manager
- Cultural Tour Guide
- Registrar or Collection Manager
- Officer at U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Places to Seek Employment
- Auction Houses
- Art Galleries
- Art/History/Culture Magazines
- Art Supply Stores
- Community Art Centers
- Educational Institutions
- National Park Service - Historic Preservation
- Travel & Tourism Agencies
- Museums
- Non-Profit Organizations
- Publishing Companies
- U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Explore More Career Resources
American Alliance of Museums - Resources related to managing a career in museums
American Institute for Conservation of Historic Art - a career center for those interested in art conservation with job postings, general information, and networking opportunities
Americans for the Arts - professional association that includes networking and job/internship search resources
Art Library Society of North America - internships in Art, Architecture, & Design Libraries and Visual Resource Centers in United States, Canada and Mexico
Art Museums Worldwide - a comprehensive list of art museums across the world
Metropolitan Museum of Art Internships - list of internships available at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Smithsonian Internship Opportunities - list of internships available through the Smithsonian