Art History is a versatile degree that can lead to jobs and careers in many different areas. Visit the department website, watch the videos below, or scroll down and select an option under Related Career Fields to see more information about potential careers you can pursue.
Art History
Related Career Fields
Select a career field below to see some of the various areas it encompasses, types of employers, and some sample occupations.
Museums and Galleries
Career Areas
- Administration
- Curatorial
- Preservation
- Restoration
- Exhibit design/preparation
- Archive management
- Education
- Development/Fundraising
- Public Relations
Types of Employers
- Art Museums
- Archives
- Historical societies
- Natural history museums
- Living history museums
- Galleries
General Information
- Gain relevant experience through internships or volunteer positions in museums or galleries.
- Visit museums around the country and world to gain exposure to art.
- Learn a foreign language or study abroad.
- Most art historians specialize in a period or region.
- Acquire strong skills in research, fundraising, speaking, writing, and attention to detail.
- Develop interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well on teams.
Art Sales
Career Areas
- Appraisal
- Sales
- Antiques Dealing
- Art Authentication
- Public Relations
Employers
- Self-employed
- Art dealers
- Galleries
- Museums
- Auction houses
- Interior design firms
General Information
- Learn to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.
- Prepare to work independently and be self- motivated.
- Obtain sales experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
- Volunteer in museums, membership drives, local galleries, auction houses, and community outreach programs.
Education
Career Areas
- Teaching
- Research
- Administration
- Library/Information Science
- Visual Resources Curating
- Community Education
- Educational program coordinator
Employers
- Public and private schools
- Colleges and universities
- Art and design schools
- Art Libraries
- Museums
General Information
- Develop excellent speaking, writing, and research skills.
- Learn how to develop curriculum and workshops and how to use multimedia.
- Obtain degree and certification in art education for public school teaching.
- Seek campus leadership positions
Media
Career Areas
- Publishing
- Editing
- Freelance Writing
- Art Criticism
- Set Design
- Costuming
- Website Design
Employers
- Newspapers
- Art magazines and journals
- Textbook or commercial publishing houses
- Production companies
General Information
- Develop excellent writing and editing skills along with knowledge of the history and culture of art.
- Learn web design skills to prepare for online work. This area of journalism is growing while print is declining.
- Become comfortable working in a deadline-oriented atmosphere.
- Work with campus or local newspapers, TV, or radio stations.
- Create a portfolio of work samples, especially those that have been published.
Nonprofit
Career Areas
- Administration
- Management
- Public Relations
- Development
- Research
- Grant Writing
- Direct Service
Employers
- Local and national nonprofit agencies
- Foundations
- Libraries
- Museums
- Historic sites
- Historical societies
General Information
- Gain experience through volunteering or completing an internship.
- Obtain leadership roles in relevant campus and community organizations.
- Develop strong communication and research skills.
- Learn how to write grants.
- Earn a graduate degree for more job opportunities and advancement.
Government
Career Areas
- Public Affairs
- Writing/Editing
- Museum Work
- Curating
- Development
Employers
- State arts agencies
- Local, state, and national councils for the arts
- Historical commissions
- Museums and galleries
- Libraries and archives
- Endowments/Grant making agencies
- Cultural affairs agencies
General Information
- Complete an internship with the federal government.
- Earn a graduate degree for advancement.
- Become familiar with the government application process. Utilize applicable websites and seek assistance from your college career services department.
- Develop a network of contacts through informational interviews and referrals.
Business
Career Areas
- Management
- Sales
- Public relations
- Market research
- Creative design
Employers
- Wholesalers
- Manufacturers
- Real estate agencies
- Consulting firms
General Information
- Develop strong analytical, verbal, and writing skills.
- Gain experience in an area of interest through internships or other employment.
- Obtain leadership roles in campus organizations.
- Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.
- Gain computer skills for databases, spreadsheets, and presentations.
- Be prepared to start in entry level positions.
Join Organizations
Being active in both student and professional organizations can help boost your career. You'll have the opportunity to network with and learn from peers, mentors, and professionals. Working within these groups helps build leadership, teamwork, and communication skills. You'll gain hands-on experience, showing employers your proactive attitude and commitment to growth, making you a stronger job candidate.
Student Organizations
Check out the organizations listed below, search Laker Life, or talk with a Career Coach to find others.
Search for Employers
General Guidelines and Strategies
- Gain as much relevant experience as possible through volunteer positions and internships.
- You may need to relocate to the larger markets of metropolitan areas where more opportunities exist.
- Join art-related professional and student organizations.
- Develop skills in business management, computers, marketing, and other related areas to increase marketability.
- Gain experience in fundraising and grant writing techniques.
- Often research and nonprofit organizations must be funded in this manner.
- Seek exposure to art by visiting museums around the country and world. Learn about world history, cultures, and languages.
- Conduct informational interviews with professionals in areas of interest to learn more about opportunities and strategies for these areas.
- Develop excellent writing and editing skills along with knowledge of the history and culture of art.
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