Bachelor’s Degree in Art History
Fundamentally, the study of art history requires you to look closely at the art, material, and methods. Then, you learn to think critically about what you see and then conduct research to build historical context. The combination of these skills helps you understand and explain interpretations of each piece.
Resources for Art History Majors
Tyler understands your need to do real things and make a real difference. We hope you feel excited to conduct individualized research with faculty members and to gain practical experience, working as an intern at regional museums, galleries, and other arts institutions. Let’s look at those details and your potential art history career options.
Research Funding
As an R1 research university, Temple University in conjunction with the Tyler School of Art and Architecture gets you access to research funding. Here are a few examples:
Livingstone Undergraduate Research Awards
Broad Street Finish Line for First-Generation College Students
Creative Arts, Research and Scholarship (CARAS) Program
Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Merit-based Scholarships and Honors
James F. DeRose Prize for an Undergraduate Art History Major (contact the Undergraduate Advisor)
Art History Internships
Tyler gives you the chance to add hands-on experience to your education — and your resumé — via art history internships in the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Internships help you explore career opportunities as an art history major and to see which ones fit best for you. Here are some examples of places our students do internships:
- Aspen Institute
- Barnes Foundation
- Brandywine River Museum of Art
- Center for Emerging Arts
- Monument Lab
- Rosenbach Museum and Library
- Temple Diamond Peer Teachers
- University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology
Art History Careers
Tyler’s art history alumni work in a wide variety of careers in the art world and beyond. Some work at non-profit organizations. Some pursue careers at museums, galleries, libraries, auction houses and publishers. Some work entirely outside the art world. Some also get into competitive arts-related graduate programs such as Africology, art history, architecture, art therapy, costume studies, library science and museum studies.
With the skills you gain in critical reading, writing, thinking and visual analysis, you graduate prepared for a wide variety of fields, not only those related to the arts:
- Business Development Analyst
- Customer Development Specialist
- Fundraising
- Educational Programming
- Gallery Manager
- Curatorial Intern
- Art Sales Manager
- Mortgage Consultant
- Nonprofit Program & Events Coordinator
- Pastry Chef
- Social Media Coordinator