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Career
Opportunities for Majors in Art
History
Introduction
The academic
approach to art history suggests that a culture's nature is best
revealed by its art. Art historians apply that principle when
comparing past eras in western history or when relating western
forms of thought and feeling with those of other cultures. Art
history programs offer students the means of immersing themselves
in cultural and aesthetic issues.
Some students
want to pursue careers as curators or archivists at the many
museums and galleries across the country. Others, knowing they
have an eye for art and design, but lacking the interest in
pursuing a career as an artist, use art history to hone their
intellectual abilities in art for careers in media, advertising,
publishing, fashion or design. Another path for historians is
art therapy, working with handicapped or disabled people. There
is a trend toward providing additional training and certification
for this specialty. Others move into careers in business, government
and other non-profit organizations.
Many
careers do not require a specific major but rather a wide range
of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Regardless of career
choices, increasing one's marketability to employers through
internships, responsible work experience, good grades and involvement
in college activities is important. A bachelor's degree is sufficient
for many entry level positions, but for advancement in an area
of specialization, an advanced degree may be required.
A
Sample of Related Occupations
| Advertising/Sales/Marketing
Rep |
Designer |
Promotion/Production
Assistant |
| Archivist |
Editor |
Public
Relations Specialist |
| Art
Appraiser |
Educator |
Researcher |
| Arts
Administrator |
Historic
Preservation Specialist |
Retail
Buyer |
| Art
Therapist |
Media
Buyer |
Store
Manager |
| Curator |
Merchandise
Display Coordinator |
Textile
Designer |
| |
Photographer |
|
Types
of Employers
| Private
and Non-profit Organizations |
|
Advertising
Agencies
|
Media
Organizations
|
|
Antique
Dealers
|
Museums
|
|
Archives
|
Performing
Arts Centers
|
| Art
Management Firms |
Photographic
Studios |
|
Fashion
Design Companies
|
Production
Companies
|
|
Galleries
|
Public
Relations Firms
|
|
Historic
Preservation & Firms
|
Publishing
Firms
|
|
Historical
Societies
|
Non-Profit
Organizations
|
|
Interior
Design Firms
|
Restored
Communities/Estates
|
|
Libraries
|
Theatre
Companies
|
|
Magazines/Newspapers
|
Universities
|
| Government
Agencies |
|
Arthur
M. Sackler Gallery
|
National
Archives & Records Administration
|
| Cultural
Affairs Agencies |
National
Endowment for the Arts
|
|
Department
of Education
|
National
Endowment for the Humanities
|
|
Department
of Veterans Affairs
|
National
Gallery of Art
|
|
Freer
Gallery of Art
|
National
Museum of African Art
|
|
Government
Printing Office
|
National
Museum of American Art
|
|
Hirshhorn
Museum
|
National
Museum of American History
|
|
Institute
of Museum Services
|
|
Jobs
Obtained by Rutgers Graduates
| First
Jobs of Recent Graduates |
| Actuarial
Associate, Coopers & Lybrand |
Historic
Preservation Specialist, Kise Franko Straw |
| Administrator,
National Museum of Contemporary Art |
Library
Assistant, Jennison Associates |
| Art
Consultant, Circle Fine Art Corporation |
Manager,
Lube Ross Gallery |
| Assistant
to On-Air Promos, Comedy Central |
Owner,
Hunter Coreen Associates |
| Assoc.
Director, Operations, South Street Seaport Museum |
Production
Editor, ARTimes |
| Customer
Service Rep., RR Bowker Publishers |
Property
Maintenance Manager, Restorations Ltd. |
| Customer
Service Rep., RR Bowker Publishers |
Residential
Counselor, Easter Seals |
| Historian,
ARCH2, Inc. |
Sales
Consultant, Macy*s Northeast |
| Historic
Interpreter, Wharton State Forest |
|
| Jobs
of Experienced Alumni |
| Account
Executive, Grey Advertising |
Manager,
Program Planning, Comedy Central |
| Architect,
Venturi, Scott, Brown & Assoc. (MS Architecture) |
Media
Buyer, PMI Advertising (MA Commercial Arts) |
| Art
Historian, Museum Curator, Researcher (Self Employed) |
Production
Supervisor, The Print Factory (MA Comm. Arts) |
| Art
History Instructor, Santa Clara Univ. (PhD) |
Publications
Associate, Rutgers University |
| Asst.
To Director, Montclair Art Museum |
Researcher
for collectors |
| Attorney,
Frank, Bernstein, Conoway & Goldman (JD) |
Sales
Manager, Pfizer Pharmaceuticals |
| Director,
Roberto Clemente Youth Center (MA Liberal Studies) |
Senior
Editor, Womens Wear Daily |
| Exec.
Director, Queens Museum of Art (MBA, MA Art History) |
Systems
Analyst, Janssen Pharmaceutica |
| Information
Specialist, Johnson & Johnson |
Technical
Recruiter, Systems Documentation, Inc. |
| Interior
Designer, Federated Department Stores |
|
| Graduate
Schools Attended |
| Boston
University, MA, Public Relations |
Rutgers
University, MA, Elementary Education |
| Columbia
University, MA, Historic Preservation Art |
Rutgers
University, MA, Education |
| Hofstra
University, Psy.D., School Psychology |
The
Boston Architectural Center, MA, Architecture |
|
University
of Pennsylvania, PhD, Political Science |
Updated
10/03/05
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University - CAREER SERVICES - New Brunswick
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