www.aah.org.uk ISSUE 114 OCTOBER 2013 Art History – of value beyond compare Matt Lodder, who worked in the AAH importance. A recent report, The office for five years, has left to take up a Contribution of the Arts and Culture to the National Economy, commissioned by Arts new career as lecturer at the University Council England and the National Museums of Essex. I will miss his good work, but, Directors’ Council (available at even more than that, I will miss his www.artscouncil.org.uk) describes in some relentless ‘glass-half-full’ optimistic detail the benefits the arts bring to UK society educationally, financially and in terms outlook. In stressful situations, it helps of health. Children with access to the arts to stay positive. stay longer in school; workers are more productive; house prices rise; even hospital Humanities subjects, including art history, stays shorten. All societies need art and face many difficulties, as we know. We are culture, and art historical research and being squeezed as culture and cultural thinking are integral to artistic production, education are perceived of by punters and presentation and interpretation. politicians as non-essential in a slow-growing economy. It is important that, in spite of In his capacity as newly appointed university this, we continue to make our case art history lecturer, my now former enthusiastically and with optimism. Culture colleague Matt wrote an article in The remains essential and culture will most Independent entitled At a loss for what to certainly play an integral part in the do? Why not History of Art? economic recovery, when it comes. Even an (www.independent.co.uk 15 August 2013) optimist, like Matt or me, might find it hard in which he encouraged sixth-form students to argue that it will ever be easy for art to consider studying art history at university. Matt Lodder historians to get jobs and careers, but it In his characteristically enthusiastic way, he And that is, of course, true. certainly is not as bad as some would pointed out that the arts industry, as a suggest. healthy and significant part of our economy, So thanks, Matt, for having been an actually offers opportunity. He summarised Art history students graduate with valuable optimistic and enthusiastic colleague. As we it as follows: skills. Our book Careers in Art History, fight for jobs, funding and recognition for produced by the Student Members Interest If you’re not yet focused on a specific our sector, we gain from remembering that Group, lists around 40 different career vocation, and if you’re interested in we argue from a position of relative options open to art history graduates. In a art, culture and the histories and strength. Culture is a growth industry. theories of human endeavour, then a world where an increasing amount of People like and need culture in their lives. degree in a broad-brush humanities information is transmitted visually – in art, There will always be a place for those who subject like art history is an study, analyse and understand culture. advertising, entertainment, video clips and extraordinarily sensible option, as well digital interfaces – the ability to analyse the as being an intellectually fulfilling and Pontus Rosén visual culture around us is of increasing inordinately enjoyable one. Chief Executive AAH2014 at the Royal College of Art Call for Papers See insert enclosed with Bulletin, or view at www.aah.org.uk/annual-conference/2014-conference CHAIR’S REPORT Contents Chair’s report – looking to the future Chair’s Report 2 In the meantime, our CEO is bringing together your feedback in order that we AAH Initiatives Fund Reports provide a full response to the HEFCE Post-War and Post-Olympics 4 consultation, which closes at the end of Art History on the taster menu 5 October. We will also need to evaluate how Art History has been placed in the Online Directory 7 current exercise, whether within the unit of assessment 34: ‘Art and Design: History, Members Groups Practice and Theory’ or as part of other units, such as history or literatures. The Schools 8 ways in which Art History is being Ways of Seeing conference 8 configured within higher education, as part Articulation Prize 9 of increasingly multi- and trans- disciplinary Museums & Exhibitions Group 10 groupings is of significance for its continuing Museum & Exhibition Grants 10 recognition and standing. We shall therefore Don’t Ask for the Mona Lisa 11 be monitoring the profile of Art History in Exhibitions Pick 11 higher and further education through our HE and FE Committee. Currently, we are Remember the AAH in your Will? 11 trying to find a replacement for Sabine Freelance & Independents 12 We are now at the beginning of a new Wieber who, as subcommittee chair, has academic year, with REF documentation Freelance Lecturing 13 done so much to establish this key group. I Conference and Image grants 14 pretty much in place and already looking have therefore written to Heads of Developing a Portfolio Career 14 forward, if this is the right term, to the Departments and Subject Leads to ask for Students 16 next exercise in 2020. How open access nominations for this position. Undergraduate Careers Day 17 will function in the future process is a As art historians we do not need to have Careers in Art History 17 key issue for us, and the Association will the relevance or significance of our Summer Symposium 2013 18 subject pointed out to us, but we do need therefore be focussing on this crucial Postgraduate Dissertation Prize 19 to recognise that this is not a given for those issue on behalf of the membership, Funding opportunities 15, 20 who have little understanding of what we do or what the subject contributes to the well- New Voices Leeds 21 establishing a new group to gather information and develop policy. being of the UK economically and socially. This needs to be constantly reaffirmed and Conferences argued for by us all in increasingly New Voices, Leeds 21 challenging times, when a reductive view of Imaginary Exhibitions 21 Bulletin advertising what a curriculum is or should be within the Art Lab Call for Papers 22 state education system increasingly takes AAH2014 Call for Papers 23 rates 2013 hold. Art History is a wonderfully diverse MUCM Call for Papers 24 Ads for jobs, fellowships, grants and subject that makes its mark in many ways across so many sectors and we need to get AAH 2015 Call for Sessions 25 conferences are included gratis, with layout at the Editor’s discretion, this message across clearly and emphatically. Accessions to Repositories 26 depending on space available. Contacts list 28 The following rates apply to adverts for academic courses, to any commercial venture, and to anybody FUNDING wishing to book a specific space and Do you have something to say? The AAH offers opportunities to supply a pre-designed ad. Bulletin gives you the opportunity to apply for funding for internships, make yourself heard. The Editor invites full-page £250 half-page £180 copyright clearance, conferences quarter-page £125 eighth-page £80 engaging and thought-provoking items attendance, travel, and for on art-historical topics, of general Contact Bulletin Editor regarding initiatives to widen participation interest to the membership. adverts: [email protected] Maximum 500 words. in art history. Jannet King [email protected] To discuss mailed inserts, contact See adverts throughout Bulletin. [email protected] See also www.aah.org.uk/funding Next deadline: 6 January 2014 2 CHAIR’S REPORT DATES FOR YOUR DIARY In the last two years, the number of The AAH’s 40th anniversary year provides promoting the Association, through his AAH events taking place has risen by us with the perfect opportunity to take absolute dedication and many innovations 25%. We now have more events taking stock and to promote the richness and to our programme of events, notably place in more places throughout the UK. intrinsic value of our subject. At CAA this launching the hugely popular ‘Art History in So, the chances are there will be coming February we will be holding a the Pub’ series, which continues to prosper. something art-history-related happening session ‘AAH 40th anniversary: looking back near you soon! Visit the website for Matt joined the Office in 2008 when he was and to the future of art history’ in which we details: www.aah.org.uk/events appointed Senior Administrator to cover are inviting art historians from some key Claire Davies’s first maternity leave. Prior to October institutions to consider where the subject this he had been Chair of the Student currently stands and, looking forward to the 1 Art of Writing, London Members Committee and so had much next 40 years, what directions of travel it is 8 Workshop – Freelance Lecturing, insight and experience of the organisation and may be taking. London before taking on this central role in the 18 Careers Day (for Undergraduates) The vivacity of the subject and its healthy office. (University of Edinburgh future is apparent in the report of the As the Association has grown and Student Symposium (see pages 18–19) and 28 Art History in the Pub, London developed, the capacity and function of the in the unprecedented number of proposed November office has also changed: 2010 saw the sessions that were received for the annual 1 Museum Bursary Schemes deadline appointment of the first AAH CEO, and in conference at the RCA next April. There 2011 staff job titles changed when Matt 8 Workshop – Using Social Media are more events planned that will take this became Finance and Policy Manager.