This is a good career for those who want their work lives to reflect their love of art, literature, and history; who wish to teach art history; who want to work in museums, art centers, or galleries; and who look forward to working with artists, works of art, and others who value these. Employers tell us strong skills in reading and research, written and oral communication, visual discrimination, and organization are important.
We can prepare you for this career through coursework and internships. In all of your art courses you will perfect your knowledge of art media and your visual skills--learning to observe more, becoming more aware of visual relationships and patterns. Through the study of art history, you will add an understanding of the cultural and historical context of works of art, as well as the ways in which ideas and theories influenced the creation or reception of art. You will learn to research and write about art, and you will acquire or improve foreign language skills. Business, public relations/communications, and electronic art courses will round out your skills. Internships such as those at the Ella Sharp Museum, Toledo Museum of Art, Ann Arbor Art Center, Lake Erie Arts Council, and galleries in the region, added to on-campus experiences like installing the Heritage Room, assisting with Stubnitz Gallery, working with the slide collection, reviewing art for the College World, or working in the Publications Office allow you to develop skills while gaining work experience.
Employers in this field look for artists who have a sound knowledge base. They look for those with good people skills, who are able to work collaboratively as well as individually on programs and projects. They value a broad-based education and top-notch communication skills, as well as experience in planning--and executing those plans--with attention to details. Small organizations, who hire beginners, often need flexible employees competent in more than one area: Can you write grants or wall copy for an exhibit? Lay out a flyer or brochure, or task a printer or graphic artist? Take photographs or put up a web site? Organize and catalog the gallery stockroom or museum receiving, packing, and shipping area? Can you lead tours and train docents? Organize or help with museum or art center educational programming?
Associated fields include marketing or public relations; art conservation or restoration; museum work (including registrar, preparator, curatorial assistant, museum educator, or curator); art appraising/auction house; art critic or arts writer/reporter; visual resources librarian; archivist.
What can you do after Adrian if you focus on art history or management while here? Go on for graduate training in art history, cultural anthropology, archaeology, arts management, museum studies, conservation, archives, visual resources/library services, or connoisseurship (for auction and appraisal houses). [If you are interested in curatorial work or teaching at the college level, graduate school is mandatory, usually through the Ph.D. degree.] Or you can look for an entry level job in a museum, gallery, art center, recreation center, arts advocacy organization, or conservation studio. Arts writers can work for larger newspapers, entertainment tabloids, magazines, or as freelancers selling to any of these.
One of our alums (a Spanish major) minored in art history and took studio courses. She is completing an intensive year of study in London at ChristieÕs Auction House. Another works at the Henry Ford. Still another, an art BFA (photography and design focus) who double-majored in English, just entered a Museum Studies graduate program at the University of Washington, Seattle.