Gain relevant experience through internships or volunteer positions in museums or galleries.
Visit museums around the country and world to gain exposure to art.
Learn a foreign language and plan to study abroad.
Supplement curriculum with courses in history, religion, anthropology, and classical civilizations.
Most art historians specialize in a period or region.
Acquire strong skills in research, fundraising, speaking, writing, and attention to detail.
Plan to earn a graduate degree in art history, museum studies, or other related discipline depending on specific interests. Each specialty has varying qualifications and required training.
Develop interpersonal skills, including the ability to work well on teams.
Read published resources provided by the American Association of Museums (AAM).
Arts Sales
Appraisal: art and estate
Sales
Antiques dealing
Antiquarian book dealer
Art authentication
Public relations
Website management
Photography
Employers
Self-employed
Art dealers
Galleries:
Profit and nonprofit
Museums
Auction houses
Specialty stores
Interior design firms
Insurance agencies
Commercial art manufacturers
Strategies
Learn to communicate effectively with a wide range of people. Take additional courses in interpersonal communication and public speaking.
Pursue a business minor to increase knowledge of business principles. An understanding of public relations is also helpful.
Prepare to work independently and be self- motivated.
Plan to work irregular or long hours.
Entrepreneurial spirit, including self-discipline and perseverance, are keys to success.
Obtain sales experience through internships or summer and part-time jobs.
Volunteer in museums, membership drives, local galleries, auction houses, and community outreach programs.
Serve as a student assistant in a university gallery.
Research certificate programs in appraisal studies to prepare for that field.
Consider earning a minor in a foreign language.
Education
Teaching
Research
Administration
Library/Information sciences
Visual Resources curating
Student affairs: student activities, leadership development, admissions, orientation, career services, residence life, multi-cultural affairs, study abroad, international student services.
Develop excellent speaking, writing, and research skills.
Learn how to develop curriculum and workshops and how to use multimedia.
Become an expert in a particular subject.
Acquire a background in foreign languages such as German or French.
Obtain degree and certification in art education for public school teaching.
Ph.D. is required for teaching and research in colleges and universities. Teaching art history at this level is extremely competitive.
Earn a master’s degree in information science for librarianships or college student personnel/higher education administration for other positions in colleges and universities.
Maintain a high grade point average and secure strong faculty recommendations.
Seek campus leadership positions such as peer mentor, orientation leader, or resident assistant.
Media
Publishing
Editing
Freelance writing
Art criticism
Set design
Costuming
Website designer
Employers
Newspapers
Art magazines and journals
Textbook or commercial publishing houses
News departments of local, public, and commercial radio and TV stations
Syndicated radio services
Internet sites
Movie studios
Production companies
Strategies
Consider obtaining a minor or double major in journalism or broadcasting/electronic media, English, or theater depending upon interests.
Develop excellent writing and editing skills along with knowledge of the history and culture of art.
Learn web design skills to prepare for online work. This area of journalism is growing while print is declining.
Become comfortable working in a deadline-oriented atmosphere.
Work with campus or local newspapers, TV, or radio stations. Create a portfolio of work samples, especially those that have been published.
Seek opportunities for recognition and networking through writing contests and freelance writing submissions.
Complete internships, even if unpaid, in movie studios or other relevant organizations.
Nonprofit
Administration
Management
Public relations
Development
Research
Grant writing
Direct service
Employers
Local and national nonprofit agencies:
Arts Education Partnership
National Arts Education Association
Americans for the Arts
Foundations:
International Child Art Foundation
Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts
Trade or professional associations
Special interest groups
Libraries
Museums:
University
Public
Private
Historic sites:
Biltmore
Mount Vernon
Historical societies
Strategies
Gain experience through volunteering or completing an internship.
Supplement curriculum with courses in business, psychology, sociology, or social work.
Obtain leadership roles in relevant campus and community organizations.
Develop strong communication and research skills.
Learn how to write grants.
Research organizations’ values to find a good fit with yours. It is critical that you are knowledgeable about and committed to the work you’re going to do.
Investigate term of service or service corps positions as a way to gain entry into the field.
Earn a graduate degree for more job opportunities and advancement.
Government
Public affairs
Writing/Editing
Audiovisual producing
Museum work
Curating
Development
Employers
State arts agencies
Local, state, and national councils for the arts
Historical commissions
Museums/Galleries:
Smithsonian Institute
The National Gallery Film boards
Libraries and archives
Endowments/Grant making agencies
Cultural affairs agencies
Strategies
Maintain a strong grade point average as many government programs are very competitive.
Complete an internship with the federal government.
There are a large number of specialized agencies within the federal government. Do extensive research to find the area that best fits your interests.
Earn a graduate degree for advancement.
Become familiar with the government application process. Utilize applicable websites and seek assistance from your college career center.
Develop a network of contacts through informational interviews and referrals.
Business
Management
Sales
Public relations
Market research
Creative design
Art insurance adjuster
Art economist
Employers
Product and service organizations
Retail stores
Hotels
Restaurants
Wholesalers
Manufacturers (e.g., commercial art)
Banks and financial institutions
Insurance companies
Real estate agencies
Consulting firms
Other business corporations
Strategies
Develop strong analytical, verbal, and writing skills.
Acquire a business minor or add business as a double major.
Gain experience in an area of interest through internships or other employment.
Obtain leadership roles in campus organizations.
Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.
Hone computer skills and learn software packages for databases, spreadsheets, and presentations.
Be prepared to start in entry level positions, such as management trainee programs.
General Information
A bachelor’s degree in art history is valuable for entry-level positions, but an advanced degree is usually necessary to attain competitive, upper-level positions in museums and historical sites.
Explore more specific careers related to art history such as art appraisal or art authentication. Careers also exist with auction houses and the storage and transportation of art work, art investment, corporate curation, art law, and law enforcement.
Develop career goals and then gain the necessary education, skills, and experiences to achieve them.
Gain as much relevant experience as possible through volunteer positions and internships.
Be prepared to relocate to the larger markets of metropolitan areas where more opportunities exist.
Join art-related professional and student organizations.
Develop skills in business management, computers, marketing, and other related areas to increase marketability.
Gain experience in fundraising and grant writing techniques. Often research and nonprofit organizations must be funded in this manner.
Seek exposure to art by visiting museums around the country and world. Learn about world history, cultures, and languages.
Conduct informational interviews with professionals in areas of interest to learn more about opportunities and strategies for these areas. Learn to network.
