What is Art History and why do people study it?
The visual image has been an important vehicle for communication in many societies, and in today's culture it increasingly displaces words and texts. Because art reflects major ideas, issues, values, institutions and individual concerns of societies, Art History can help us gain an understanding of the individual and cultural identity throughout history from around the world.
Art History helps to develop communication skills and promote interdisciplinary thought. It is of particular value in a culture that communicates values and ideas increasingly through images. By showing students how art can be examined as cultural documents, they become active interpreters of how images form their experience of the world. With its emphasis of visual analysis, description, and criticism, art history can provide students with fundamental and original skills in critical and visual thinking.
Because understanding the relationship between culture and the visual image is an important part of the discipline, art history serves as preparation for a variety of professions in addition to the obvious ones of teaching and work in museums and galleries. Art History can be matched with other majors such as Journalism or Business, with an emphasis on marketing, advertising, or arts administration.
Major skills related to the study of Art History
- 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
Related Career Titles and Employment Settings
Related Career Titles
- Antiquarian Book Trade
- Antiques Dealer
- Archivist
- Art Gallery
- Art Investment
- Artist Representative
- Art Librarian
- Arts Organization Consultant
- Conservation and Restoration
- Estate Appraiser
- Freelance Collection Mgr
- Freelance Writer
- Museum Curator
- Art Preservationist
- Art Publications
- Teacher
- Art Administrator
- Art Law
- Art Advisor
- Curatorial Consultant
- TV and Film consultant
- Government Agencies (NEA, NEH, state and local councils)
Employment Settings for Art History Majors:
- Museums
- Corporations
- Colleges and Universities
- Art Galleries
- Publishing Companies
- Federal Government
- State Government
- Auction Houses
The College Art Association is the professional organization of art historians, artists, and others engaged in the practice, teaching, and research of the visual arts. The Association has over 13,500 individual members, of whom some 4,500 are art historians, as well as 2,000 institutional members, including university art and art history departments, museums, libraries, and professional and commercial organizations. For more information consult their website at: www.collegeart.org
Transfer Options for Art History
Contact Us
Art History Program
Arts and Sciences Division
Arts and Sciences Building Room 2203
Phone: 517-483-1061