A Career Guide for Art History Majors

Art History concerns itself with human history through embodied in great works of art. This knowledge is the study of painting, sculpture, architecture and the shaped by a familiarity with the art and architecture graphic and decorative arts. Art History considers produced by world civilizations and an ability to these arts as creative processes—as expressions analyze and understand the quality of art from of human ideas, feelings and conditions of life. The diverse cultures and periods. study of Art History allows students to immerse themselves in cultural and aesthetic issues. Within the broad field of Art History, there are many areas of specialization including culture, time-period Through the study of Art History, students gain and medium. an awareness of the values and social conditions Skills

The study of Art History develops a knowledge of communication skills, along with visual sensitivity, the different ways in which civilizations express enable graduates to contribute to and succeed in themselves artistically, in addition to forging a critical many professions. A sample of representative skills analysis of the quality, purpose and meaning behind and abilities follows: diverse art works. Well-developed writing and

Visual and Data Communication Human Relations Research/Education Analysis Defining quality Writing and speaking Developing sensitivity to Working with primary critically cultural viewpoints sources Analyzing the artistic Presenting and defending Understanding how the Gathering, analyzing and qualities of everyday theories/ideas making of art has changed organizing information objects across time Weighing values Conveying complex Interpreting a culture’s Examining evidence information values and beliefs Recognizing the school/ Describing impressions Explaining the present by Evaluating research results period/artist of a work of about art referring to the past art Comparing art works/ Clarifying others’ thoughts Participating in groups Determining origins of art comparative analysis and ideas works Thinking critically Speaking to groups

Career Opportunities

The skills and abilities developed through a Appraisal major in Art History serve as the building blocks Appraisers use their knowledge of art, the market for a wide range of occupations and career and research skills to assess an artwork’s dollar paths. The employment outlook for graduates is value, usually for tax, insurance or estate planning competitive, but jobs are available in art publishing, purposes. Appraisers could work for auction art journalism, libraries, public art councils, art houses, insurance companies or independently. galleries and companies specializing in furniture and architectural restoration. There are some entry- Art Consulting level jobs in museum work, but most jobs in this Art consultants advise clients on art acquisition, field require advanced degrees. planning and maintenance of artwork. They may work independently or for an art-consulting firm.

Fine Arts Career Services • The University of Texas at Austin • DFA 1.103 • http://www.utexas.edu/finearts/careers [512] 232-7333 • [email protected] • twitter.com/utfacs • http://www.facebook.com/utfacs 1 A Career Guide for Art History Majors

Arts Administration questions from the public and help curators and Arts organizations, like most for profit companies, outside scholars use the collections. Registrars have a number of administrative, business or usually need a bachelor’s degree related to the management functions. These roles require people museum’s specialty, training in museum studies, with creativity and an understanding and passion or previous experience working in museums, for the arts, as well as skills in a range of areas from particularly in designing exhibits. finance and marketing to education. Conservation The specific positions available at an arts Conservators maintain and preserve works of art organization will depend on what the organization and other materials. They must be knowledgeable does and how large its budget and staff are. Since about art methods as well as the science behind arts managers are needed in virtually every arts preserving and restoring art. Museums and organization, from theatre companies to museums, conservation firms employ conservators, but some many opportunities exist in this field. For example, conservators work on a freelance basis. a museum is likely to have staff members in education that work with school groups to introduce Curatorial/Archival children to the exhibits. An opera company, concert Curators usually work with objects of cultural, hall, or theatre needs box-office and front of the biological or historical significance. As they house workers to manage ticket sales, write press direct the acquisition, storage and exhibition releases, market the productions in the community, of collections, they also need to negotiate and and create visibility. Some theatre companies authorize the purchase, sale, exchange or loan of need general managers to schedule tours, monitor these collections. In addition, they are responsible union agreements, and run the business side of for authenticating, evaluating and categorizing the performances. specimens in a collection. Curators oversee and help conduct the institution’s research projects and Over the last decade, arts management has become related educational programs. Today, an increasing a growing field with increasing specialization and part of a curator’s duties involves fundraising and training. A number of new graduate training and promotion, which may include the writing and certification programs have emerged. These reviewing of grant proposals, journal articles and programs may be useful, depending on your interests publicity materials, as well as attending meetings, and goals. Some arts managers, for example, conventions and civic events. suggest eventually pursuing a business degree with a specialization in nonprofit management. Almost A closely related profession is that of an archivist. without exception, however, arts managers advise Archivists collect, organize and maintain control getting work-related experience first and considering over a wide range of information deemed important graduate study later on. If you decide to investigate enough for permanent safekeeping. This information graduate study, begin by asking professionals what takes many forms: photographs, films, video and programs they think are valuable and respected in sound recordings and electronic data files in a wide the field. variety of formats, as well as more traditional paper records, letters and documents. Archivists mainly Museum Technicians handle records and documents that are retained Museum technicians, commonly known as because of their importance and potential value in registrars, help curators by preparing and taking the future. care of museum items. Registrars also may answer

Job Titles

The activities represented by these job titles are found in business, government, educational institutions, museums or non-profit agencies. A curator, for example, might be employed by a corporate archive, a county museum or a university. Similarly, an arts writer could be working for a foundation, local arts council, national magazine or federal agency. In general, an advanced degree is required for those occupations marked with an asterisk (*) on the list that follows:

Appraiser Gallery Assistant *Archivist Grants Specialist Art Consultant Education Coordinator Arts Writer Event Planner *Curator Museum Technician Development Associate Research Assistant Editor Historical Preservation Coordinator

Employers of Art History Majors

Auction Houses Government Conservation Firms Libraries Corporations Museums Educational Institutions Nonprofit Organizations Foundations Publishers Galleries

First Jobs Held by Recent UT Graduates

Assistant Development Officer Community Developer Artist’s Assistant Research Assistant, Medical School Curator Gallery Assistant Fellow in Museum Education Publicity Assistant English Teacher, Japan Media Producer Furniture Maker Exhibition Coordinator

Earnings

The median annual wage of curators was $48,450 Curators in large institutions may travel extensively in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less to evaluate potential additions to the collection, than $27,640, and the top 10 percent earned more organize exhibits, and conduct research. However, than $86,450. for curators in small institutions, travel may be rare. Most curators, museum technicians, and The median annual wage of museum technicians conservators work full time. and conservators was $37,310 in May 2010. The From: Occupational Outlook Handbook at http:// lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,440, and www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/ the top 10 percent earned more than $68,250. curators-museum-technicians-and-conservators. htm

Graduate School Options

There are numerous graduate school programs in based and typically requires a thesis. Specific and related to Art History. The two most common areas of study in art history cover all chronological degree options are the Master of Arts (M.A.) and periods from prehistory to contemporary art, and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). Other degrees that all geographic areas including Africa and Asia. Art may be of interest for art historians include the history is increasingly interdisciplinary, considering Master of Library Science and Master of Science. art in the larger political and social context of its With proper planning, Art History is an excellent culture. M.A.’s are offered in related topic areas background for professional programs such as Law, including conservation, art education, museum Arts Management, Business and Medicine, among studies and arts administration. others. For a thorough explanation of the different degrees related to Art History, see the College Art Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.): The Ph.D. typically Association’s Graduate Programs in Art History consists of four to six years of full-time study and directory available in Fine Arts Career Services. requires completion of a dissertation. This is the terminal degree in the humanities and the primary Master of Arts (M.A.): This is typically a one to two credential for college-level teaching. year academic degree that is course and/or research

FACS Resources for Art History Majors

Fine Arts Career Services keeps a small library of arts career and job search related books, many of which are not available at other University of Texas libraries. Students may come by the office (DFA 1.103) to browse books during our regular hours.

Art and Art History Fellowship Opportunities Careers in Art Art Dealer’s Field Guide Corporate Art Consulting Art History Resumes and Curriculum Vitae Global Art Information Directory 2004 Art/Vision/Voice: Cultural Conversations in Introduction to Museum Work Community Museums: Planning Museum Careers Beginner’s Guide to Community-Based Arts PhD’s in Art History

* For a complete list of FACS Resources visit http://www.utexas.edu/finearts/careers/career-information * Visit http://www.lib.utexas.edu/fal/collections/current_periodicals/index.php for a complete listing of art history journals available in the Fine Arts Library

Online Resources for Art History Majors Fine Arts Career Services

HireUTexas Fine Arts Works http://recruit.utexas.edu/hireutexas/ https://finearts-utexas-csm.symplicity.com UT’s online job and internship database which posts Fine Arts Career Services’ database of art-related professional opportunities for all majors. opportunities. Fine Arts students can post a resume and view job postings and upcoming career events.

Job Listings Idealist http://www.idealist.org/ Alliance of Artist Communities Idealist.org connects people with job, volunteer and http://www.artistcommunities.org/ action opportunities posted by 90,000 organizations The Alliance of Artists Communities is the service around the world. organization for the field of artists’ communities and residencies. They maintain artist residency Museum Employment Resource Center listings, advocate for artist residency programs and http://www.museum-employment.com/ communities, and offer professional development This site lists job vacancies and has information on for artists. Their website includes job postings. museum studies programs and cultural resource links. Americans for the Arts http://jobbank.artsusa.org New York Foundation for the Arts This advocacy organization supports the arts in http://www.nyfa.org/ many ways. Their job bank is the premier electronic This website provides a number of services for recruitment resource for the industry and includes artists including job and internship postings, funding national job listings for all of the fine arts. It includes opportunities, arts advocacy and services for artists. postings in academia, arts administration and They also maintain an online newsletter covering management. Check out the rest of their site for current issues affecting artists. other helpful arts resources. Texas Association of Museums Art Job texasmuseums.org https://www.artjob.org/ The TAM represents museums, art and science Comprehensive, up-to-date national listings of jobs, centers and more. Contains a job bank that features internships, fellowships and other employment positions in Texas museums. opportunities in the arts. Contact Fine Arts Career Services for the username and password. USA Jobs https://www.usajobs.gov/ ArtSearch USAJOBS is the U.S. Government’s official http://www.tcg.org/artsearch/ system/program for Federal jobs and employment The publication from the Theatre Communication information. They offer an excellent page dedicated Group for full-time, part-time, seasonal, year-round to students and recent graduates seeking Federal and internship opportunities in the performing arts. jobs. Contact FACS for the username and password. Overseas Job Opportunities Art Staffing http://artstaffing.com/ Going Global Thomas & Associates, Inc. places permanent and http://www.goinglobal.com/ interim staff in museums, art businesses, and Search for job openings and internship opportunities nonprofit organizations nationwide. Includes job in countries around the world. Listings are postings. updated daily! Additionally, Going Global career and employment resources include more than Greenlights 10,000 pages of constantly-updated content on www.greenlights.org topics such as: job search sources, work permit/ Greenlights is a provider of nonprofit strengthening visa regulations, resume writing guidelines and and support services including professional examples, employment trends, salary ranges, development events, workshops, and a job board networking groups and cultural/interviewing containing hundreds of postings by member advice. organizations.

Museum Jobs Professional Organizations http://www.museumjobs.com/ American Alliance of Museums This site lists museum jobs, primarily located in the http://www.aam-us.org/ United Kingdom, with a few listings from the United AAM serves all types of museums and professionals States and other countries. and nonpaid staff who work at museums. This includes job listings as well as other pertinent Regional Organizations professional information. American Institute for Conservation of Historic The Contemporary Austin and Artistic Works http://thecontemporaryaustin.org http://www.conservation-us.org/ Austin’s major art museum. Their website also The professional organization for conservation features information on their lecture series and professionals, It includes information on becoming teacher resources. a conservator and job, internship, and fellowship listings in the Career Center section. Austin Creative Alliance http://www.austincreativealliance.org/ Art Museum Network As a nonprofit arts service organization, ACA http://www.artmuseumnetwork.com/ focuses on sponsoring projects and programs that Over 200 of the world’s largest and most prestigious both strengthen Austin’s performing arts community art museums have joined forces to provide free and bring new audiences to the arts. Find links to access to information about their collections, some of the Austin-area arts organizations. exhibitions, and services. College Art Association Austin Museum Partnership http://www.collegeart.org/ http://www.austinmuseums.org/ An important group for aspiring artists and art The Austin Museum Partnership is a consortium of historians, specifically those who plan to teach at thirty-two Austin area museums organized in 1998 the college level. to promote collaborations for the mutual benefit of the public and the museums. Other Career Alternatives for Art Historians In the Galleries Austin http://www.nd.edu/~crosenbe/jobs.html http://www.inthegalleriesaustin.com/ Comprehensive list of career paths for art historians. A collection of museums, galleries and alternative Includes education requirements, skills needed, spaces working to promote visual arts in Austin. and links to professional organization.

Texas Commission on the Arts Resources In Art History for Graduate Students http://www.arts.texas.gov http://members.efn.org/~acd/resources.html Includes links to numerous sites, opportunities An online newsletter that lists grants, fellowships, and assistance for visual and performing artists. internships and study abroad opportunities for View their employment links by going to New graduate students in art history and closely related Opportunities. areas such as humanities and visual art studies. Smithsonian Museum Studies Texas State Agencies List http://museumstudies.si.edu/ https://www.tsl.texas.gov/app/lrs/agencies/index.html This site lists information about opportunities The list contains an entry for each current Texas at the Smithsonian and also includes excellent state agency with links to contact and other museology links including museum associations information about the agency. and educational materials. The information in this guide was compiled from resources available online and in DFA 1.103. Updated July 2015