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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 | 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 & Non-profit Organizations | ||
| Advertising Agencies | Interior Design Firms | Public Relations Firms |
| Antique Dealers | Libraries | Publishing Firms |
| Archives | Magazines/Newspapers | Non-Profit 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 |
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Last Updated: 07/21/2009