Art History

• Average class size of 15 means highly individualized attention from credentialed faculty
• Emphasis on developing research and writing skills through faculty-mentored projects
• Internship network with local and national art organizations provides career connections in the field
• Travel study opportunities foster a global perspective on contemporary and historical art movements

Our students develop an understanding of visual culture through lecture and discussion, but also through field trips to museums, internships, and travel study opportunities. Art history courses are enhanced with museum and gallery visits, and guest lectures. The Converse College collection of 20th-century prints and the Milliken Art Gallery exhibits provide an opportunity to see the art styles that are discussed in class.

Study Travel

Travel study programs also offer students an opportunity to view art first-hand. Previous trips have included:

• “In the Footsteps of Picasso”: Madrid, Barcelona and Paris
• “From the Ancient Aegean to the Venice Biennale”: Italy
• New York City art galleries and museums
• Williamsburg, Virginia
• Washington D.C.

Internships

Museum internships are a vital part of the art history program at Converse College. They are designed to broaden the student’s experience and professional contacts in the art field. Some of the internships have included art auction houses such as Sotheby’s in New York, and art museums throughout the United States, including Atlanta, GA; Washington, DC; Charlotte, NC; Knoxville, TN; Colorado; and Texas.

Converse’s Art History program will provide you with an understanding of visual culture through the ages complimented with  an exploration of the major artists and artworks and their historical context. Our classes emphasize the philosophy behind the art, as well as the artist’s social, cultural and political context. By developing your analytical and written skills you will learn to competently discuss the style, content, theory, and historical context of specific periods and artists.

Our art history degree provides a strong liberal arts education and  prepares you for graduate programs in art history as well as entry-level positions in galleries, museums and art auction houses.  The Bachelor of Arts with a major in art history is offered in cooperation with the Department of Art History at Wofford College. Converse art history majors should expect to take at least two art history courses on the Wofford campus.

BA in Art History

A major in art history must complete 33 credit hours of course work in art history. Students in the art history major are urged to take their electives in such liberal arts areas as philosophy, history, religion, humanities or literature, and have a strong background in French, Italian, German or Spanish. A double major is a possible option with an art history major.

BA in Art History Major Worksheet

Art History minor

The requirements for a minor in art history consist of 18 credit hours including ART 201-202: Introduction to the History of Western Art, plus four additional upper-level art history courses in four different subject areas (not including art history travel programs or museum internships).

Art History Minor Worksheet

For full course requirements, see the academic catalog.

Typically with a graduate degree, art historians become art curators who organize museum exhibitions and write the catalogs. Art history majors have also pursued careers as art gallery directors, art appraisers, corporate art consultants, art critics, art journal writers, art auction house coordinators, community arts and museum administrators, art history professors and other career paths.

What are the most common careers in art history?

Typically, usually with a graduate degree, art historians have careers as:

• Educators at art museums
• Curators of private art collections
• Art critics and writers for art journals
• Art gallery directors
• Community arts and museum administrators
• Art appraisers
• Art restorers
• Art history professors

What are art history alumni doing?

Grad Schools

Art history graduates frequently choose programs in museum studies or arts administration at places such as Johns Hopkins University and Savannah College of Art and Design. There are many graduate programs in all areas of art history.

Jobs

• Curatorial assistant of the White House Art Collection in Washington, D.C.
• Art librarian, Johnson Collection
• Collection Manager and Registrar, Johnson Collection
• Curatorial assistant, National Portrait Gallery
• Art consultant
• Assistant to professional artist