Art & Art History
Art History gives students the ability to interpret art as a record of social and personal experience, to assess complex and conflicting arguments critically, to understand and to interpret a diverse range of artistic traditions. Students acquire a broad education that will allow them to advance in a wide variety of careers, including (but not limited to) the arts, business, law, and education. An Art History major also prepares students for graduate study in the field, which can lead to a career as a university professor or in a museum.
There are two ways to major in Art History at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Students may work toward either a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in the College of Fine and Applied Arts or a Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The B.F.A. program is a degree in Art & Art History and requires more studio and design courses. The B.A. program is a degree in History of Art and requires more extensive study in the humanities. Both majors have a Senior Honors Program that is strongly recommended to qualified students. This program offers seniors the opportunity to work closely with a member of the faculty researching and writing a scholarly paper over the course of two semesters.
• ARTH 110—Introduction to the History of Art and Visual Culture
• Any upper-level (200-400) courses for a more focused introduction
o ARTH 241—Modern Art
o ARTH 260—Graffiti and Murals
o ARTH 257—History of Photography
Students may also enroll directly in upper-level courses for a more focused introduction.
Studying Art & Art History can lead to careers in museums and galleries, in education, art librarianship, the management of visual resources for universities and arts institutions, and conservation. The broad education provided by an Art & Art History degree serves as preparation for a wide variety of careers, including the arts, business, law, and education.
- Ability to communicate through the materials used to create works of art
- Analytical thinking
- Creativity/inventive skills
- Discipline and perseverance to build skills in different techniques by working and reworking art
- Research and writing skills to combine visual analysis of works of art with in-depth research
- Visual Analysis
- Author
- Art Lawyer
- Curator
- Curatorial Researcher
- Documentary Researcher
- Conservator
- Critic
- Grant Writer
- Educational Coordinator
- Independent Producer
- Publisher
- Lecturer
- Librarian
- Museum Director
- Visual Resource Librarian
Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree.
- Participating in undergraduate research
- Applying for a study abroad experience
- Utilizing resources of The Career Center
- Joining a Registered Student Organization (RSO) related to this major, such as:
- For Art's Sake: For Art's Sake is an organization serving lovers of art at UIUC. Anyone interested in art, art history, art theory, film studies, architecture history, new media, criticism, etc. is welcome, regardless of background or major. We are happy to act as educators for those new to Art & Art History and as a community for seasoned historians. We will provide a space for intelligent, insightful conversation as well as activities to extend and practice your understanding of art.
- Montage Arts Journal: Our purpose is to publish a yearly journal of exceptional undergraduate work in prose, poetry, art, and drama.
- Society for Art and Fine Art: Builds bridges between undergraduate students in Art and fine arts.
There are several professional organizations dedicated to Art & Art History. Their websites might be able to provide a glimpse in the world of Art & Art History. These organizations include Association for Art History and College Art Association.