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 Nonprofit 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	Editor	Public Relations Specialist
Archivist	Educator	Researcher
Art Appraiser	Historic Preservation Specialist	Retail Buyer
Arts Administrator	Media Buyer	Store Manager
Art Therapist	Merchandise Display Coordinator	Textile Designer
Curator	Photographer
Designer	Promotion/Production Assistant

Types of Employers

Private & Nonprofit Organizations
Advertising Agencies	Interior Design Firms	Public Relations Firms
Antique Dealers	Libraries	Publishing Firms
Archives	Magazines/Newspapers	Nonprofit Organizations
Art Management Firms	Media Organizations	Restored Communities/Estates
Fashion Design Companies	Museums	Theatre Companies
Galleries	Performing Arts Centers	Universities
Historic Preservation & Firms	Photographic Studios
Historical Societies	Production Companies

Government Agencies
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery	Government Printing Office	National Endowment for the Humanities
Cultural Affairs Agencies	Hirshhorn Museum	National Gallery of Art
Department of Education	Institute of Museum Services	National Museum of African Art
Department of Veterans Affairs	National Archives & Records Administration	National Museum of American Art
Freer Gallery of Art	National Endowment for the Arts	National Museum of American History

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates

First Jobs of Recent Graduates
Actuarial Associate, Coopers & Lybrand	Historic Interpreter, Wharton State Forest
Administrator, National Museum of Contemporary Art	Historic Preservation Specialist, Kise Franko Straw
Art Consultant, Circle Fine Art Corporation	Library Assistant, Jennison Associates
Assistant to On-Air Promos, Comedy Central	Manager, Lube Ross Gallery
Assoc. Director, Operations, South Street Seaport Museum	Owner, Hunter Coreen Associates
Business Valuation Associate, Deloitte & Touche	Production Editor, ARTimes
Customer Service Rep., RR Bowker Publishers	Property Maintenance Manager, Restorations Ltd.
Customer Service Rep., RR Bowker Publishers	Residential Counselor, Easter Seals
Event Planner/Installation Assistant, Stem & Co.	Sales Consultant, Macy*s Northeast
Historian, ARCH2, Inc.

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, M.Ed., Elementary Education
Brooklyn Law School, JD	Rutgers University, M.Ed., Education
Columbia Univeristy, MA, Art History	Sotheby's Institute, MA, Art History
Columbia University, MA, Historic Preservation Art	The Boston Architectural Center, MA, Architecture
Hofstra University, Psy.D., School Psychology	University of Delaware, Ph.D., Art History
New York University, MA, Art History	University of Pennsylvania, PhD, Political Science
Rice University, PhD, Human Factors Psychology	University of Washington, PhD, Museum Studies
	Yale University, Ph.D., Art History

Additionally, you may:

Explore the career paths of RU Alumni Career Network mentors.
Go to the Rutgers Online Career Planning Site to explore your interests, skills and values. Use the program for either: High School Students | College Students.
Explore Rutgers University academic department information related to this major.
See the Occupational Outlook Handbook for additional career information.
Pick up your "Career Opportunities" handouts at any New Brunswick Career Services office.

Still Have Questions? Ask a Career Counselor.