What is Art History?
Art history is the study of art created in the past by individuals from various cultures and parts of the world. The art historian seeks to interpret and understand works of art of many types, ranging from the monumental to small scale, by learning about artists' lives and their societies. Graduates with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History are equipped for a wide range of professional careers - in museums, galleries, auction houses or publishing. An Art History major is not only a sound preparation for any professional field, it may also provide a distinct advantage for entry into those fields, given the increasing preference of law, medical, and professional schools for students with a broad intellectual background.
| Related Career Titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Antiquarian Book Trade | Antiques Dealer | Architectural Conservation |
| Art Gallery | Art Investment | Artist Representative |
| Art Librarian | Arts Organization Consultant | Corporate Curator |
| Estate Appraiser | Freelance Collection Manager | Freelance Writer |
| Museum Curator | Art Preservationist | Teaching |
| Sample Advertisements | Art Administrator | Art Publications |
| Art Advisor | Curatorial Consultant | Visual Resource Curator |
| Art Law | Independent Producer | Art Foundry Technician |
Employment Settings for Art History Majors
- Museums
- Corporations
- Colleges and Universities
- Art Galleries
- Publishing Companies
- Federal Government
- State Government
- Auction Houses
| Related Major Skills | |
|---|---|
| Attention to Detail | Creativity |
| Self-discipline | Time-Management |
| Interpretive Skills | Critical Analysis |
| Appreciation of Aesthetics | Open-minded |
| Patience | Adaptability |
| Organization Skills | Communication Skills |
| Interpersonal Skills | Presentation/Public Speaking |
| Intense Research Skills | |
American Association of Museums: http://www.aam-us.org/
Museum Employment Resource Center: http://www.museum-employment.com/
Art History: http://www.collegeart.org/careers/
IE3 Global Internships: http://ie3global.ous.edu/
National Gallery of Art: http://www.nga.gov/
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: http://www.metmuseum.org/
The Museum of Modern Art, http://www.moma.org/
Society of American Archivists: http://www.archivists.org/nnNavigation.asp?sectionName=Careers
Art Jobs Online: http://www.artjob.org/
New York Foundation for the Arts: http://www.artswire.org
Hire Culture-Cultural opportunities in Massachusetts: http://www.hireculture.org
Museum Job Resources Online: http://www.algonquincollege.com/museum/jobres/
Archivists, Curator, and Museum Technicians from the Occupational Outlook Handbook: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocos065.htm
Career Alternatives for Art Historians: http://www.nd.edu/~crosenbe/jobs.html