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Studying the relationship between a culture and its
art can reveal the important ideas, values and institutions of that particular
culture and their effect upon individuals and society. Art History examines the
development of this relationship across cultures, as well as the elements of
style and the aesthetic ideas behind them. As part of a broad-based curriculum,
the Department of Art History offers a range of courses in American and European
painting, sculpture and architecture from antiquity to the present.
The
department also participates in an interdisciplinary degree in art/art
history/chemistry as preparation for graduate study in museum conservation. In
addition, the art history degree provides a broad humanistic education,
stressing critical thinking, aesthetic evaluation and cultural analysis.
Approximately 20 percent of Delaware's art history majors attend graduate school
in the field. Others go on to graduate school in such related areas as
architecture, historic preservation, arts administration, American studies and
museum training.
Perhaps 50 percent find positions in art-related occupations
with a bachelor of arts degree. The employment outlook for graduates is
competitive, but jobs are available in art publishing, art journalism,
libraries, public art councils, art galleries, architectural survey work, and
with companies specializing in furniture and architectural restoration. There
are some entry-level jobs in museum work, but most careers in this field require
advanced degrees. Professor Damie Stillman, 318 Old College, 831-8415, can
provide additional information on this major.
Sample Job Titles
| Bachelor's Degrees/Entry
Level |
Further Education or
Experience Often Required |
| *assistant curator |
*archivist |
| *museum inventory specialist |
*conservator |
| *museum attendant |
*education director |
| *development officer |
*exhibit designer |
| *library assistant |
*art appraiser |
| *registrar |
*curator |
*Check the Dictionary of Occupational Titles under
section 052 for additional related careers.
Some Employers of Art History Majors
* museums
* state/federal government
* interior design firms
* colleges/universities
* restoration firms
* publishing firms
* archives
* federal/state parks
* historical societies
Other Sources of Information
National Park Service
www.nps.gov
Smithsonian Job Hotline
P. O. Box 37481 - OMP
Washington, DC 20013
Federal Positions (202) 357-1450
American Association of Museums
www.aam-us.org
Society of American Archivists
www.archivists.org
All information from www.udel.edu/CSC/arthist.html
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