Art History University at Albany

Overview

In small classes covering a rich variety of art, including painting, sculpture, architecture, printmaking, drawing, photography, video and film, performance, installation, and digital media, you will develop expertise in writing and critical thinking through working with visual material.  

Receive one-on-one advisement and personalized counseling on internships and careers from Art History and Film Studies faculty, while gaining hands-on professional experience for academic credit through internships in museums and galleries around the vibrant Capital Region of New York. With the Art History program of University at Albany, you will be prepared to pursue graduate work leading to careers in museum curating, education, art conservation, and historic preservation, as well as digital image management for institutions from museums to libraries to businesses.

Program of Study

Explore three possible tracks of study to tailor your program to your individual career goals and interests. 

Art History Research and Internships

Build a thorough portfolio of skills and knowledge that will prepare you for a career in the art world, as well as graduate school in art history, visual resources curating and management, other art-related graduate programs, and museum studies. You can incorporate internships into this plan for hands-on professional experience. 

Film Studies

Take advantage of the option to fulfill your art history requirements with coursework in Film Studies. Critical studies courses on film history, theory, criticism, and contemporary film topics can accompany video production courses or other hands-on learning and creative output projects.

Honors Program in Art History

An Honors Program in Art History allows declared Art History majors who have excelled in at least their first 12 credits of Art History coursework to pursue an advanced program of study and independent research. The Honors program will prepare you for pursuing in-depth graduate work in art history, art conservation, museum studies, or film studies.

Student Learning Objectives

Learning objectives that UAlbany students are expected to attain through their course of study within their academic program.

• Analyze visual and structural features of works of art and architecture.

• Identify and describe salient aspects of form, structure, and medium.

• Use art historical terminology.

• Interpret cultural significance of art, and architecture.

• Identify, analyze iconography and representational, symbolic elements; assess meaning from perspective of artist, patron, viewer, and/or function. Identify cultural artifacts influencing work of art.

• Practice key elements of the discipline of art history.

• Compare/contrast images and structures using traditional art historical practice.

• Identify scholarly resources for research in art history; present findings in oral and written form.

• Relate works of art and architecture to their wider historical context.

• Locate works of art and architecture within a chronological framework.

• Identify key historical events, movements, and ideologies that impinge upon artistic production.

• Write coherently and persuasively in the art historical idiom. Formulate coherent sentences and essays. Assess and revise writing for accuracy and effectiveness of argumentation.

Career Outcomes

With a degree in Art History, you can work in a variety of settings, from museums and galleries to classrooms and offices. Common career choices for Art History majors include:

• Museum Curator

• Art conservation

• Art educator

• Museum marketing and public relations

• Art Therapist

• Art Appraiser

• Gallerist

• Digital Image Curator / Visual Information Manager