Art History
BA • Minor
Art History
Art has the unique power to inform, inspire, challenge, and mystify. See for yourself.
The Art History BA program emphasizes just that—seeing.
Examine visual art and cultural objects up close, either on campus or in New York City, not far south.
Course offerings cover a wide selection of genres, geographies, and time periods and from fascinating perspectives.
Art is the human experience made visible.
Our program strongly emphasizes research and writing skills. Grounded in the sensitive analysis of images, objects, and critical texts, the faculty approach to the field creates a deeper sense of art’s historical and cultural significance.
Exceptional Local Resources
The mix of museums, galleries, and cultural institutions—both on campus and nearby—presents an array of lectures, exhibitions, and internships right at students’ fingertips.
Our proximity to New York City allows students to benefit from incomparable opportunities, such as frequent visits to museums and galleries, that provide unique insights into potential careers.
Right on campus and perhaps even more advantageous, the Neuberger Museum of Art is steps away from our classrooms. Founded with Roy R. Neuberger’s donation of 108 works in 1974, the museum’s impressive collection now exceeds 6,000 objects. The museum features an ongoing program of permanent and changing exhibitions. It also offers a select number of internships each year.
The Maass Gallery in the Visual Arts Building features an ongoing exhibition program showcasing both student and professional work during the academic year.
Museum Studies
Many students choose to enhance their experience with the Museum Studies minor to explore how museums shape the meanings of objects and the role they play in society.
Latest Stories
Work by Khalif Tahir Thompson ’18 at The Armory Show
According to the New York Times, Thompson’s work was a “standout.”
Gilman Scholarship Spotlight: Frankie Bademci ’23
Summer study in France provided an artistic breakthrough.
Brittany Petronella ’16 Shares Her Passion for Ghouls
The photographer’s social media accounts document her visits to all places haunted to the delight of 331k followers on TikTok and 14.4k on Instagram.
Latest Stories
Professor Elizabeth Guffey Pens Article on “Active Exclusion”
Dive deep into the history of New York City’s Roosevelt Island and the trend of “active transportation.”
Michelle Friedman ’11
Named 2019 CAEA Outstanding Art Museum Educator of the Year
Remembering Irving Sandler
Art historian and critic Irving Sandler passed away in New York City at age ninety-two.