Career Opportunities for Majors in Art History


Introduction

The Art History program at Rutgers offers students the means of immersing themselves in cultural and aesthetic issues. 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 history or when relating forms of thought and feeling with those of other cultures.

Some students want to pursue careers as curators or archivists in museums or galleries. Others might have an eye for art and design and use art history to hone their intellectual abilities for careers in media, advertising, publishing, fashion, or other creative fields. Another path for art historians is in art therapy, a specialty field that likely requires additional training and certifications. Still others move into careers in business, government, and nonprofit organizations, where they can thrive in their appreciation of collaborating with diverse groups of people.

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, work experience, good grades, and involvement in college activities is important. A bachelor's degree is sufficient for many entry-level positions, but an advanced degree may be required for career opportunities in an area of specialization.



A Sample Of Related Occupations

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

Types of Employers

Private & Nonprofit Organizations
Antique Dealers Historic Preservation & Firms Nonprofit Organizations
Archives Historic Sites/Historical Societies Performing Arts Centers
Art Management Firms Interior Design Firms Photographic Studios
Colleges/Universities Libraries Production Companies
Fashion Design Companies Magazines/Newspapers Public Relations Firms
Film Studios  Media Organizations Publishing companies
Galleries Museums Restored Communities/Estates
Government Agencies
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Hirshhorn Museum National Gallery of Art
Cultural Affairs Agencies Institute of Museum Services National Museum of African Art
Department of Education National Archives & Records Administration National Museum of American Art
Department of Veterans Affairs National Assembly of State Arts Agencies National Museum of American History
Freer Gallery of Art National Endowment for the Arts State Councils on Arts and Culture 
Government Printing Office National Endowment for the Humanities

Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates - First Jobs of Recent Graduates - Art History

Organization Job Title
Coopers & Lybrand Actuarial Associate
National Museum of Contemporary Art Administrator
Circle Fine Art Corporation Art Consultant
Comedy Central Assistant to On-Air Promos
South Street Seaport Museum Assoc. Director, Operations
Deloitte & Touche Business Valuation Associate
RR Bowker Publishers Customer Service Rep
Stem & Co. Event Planner/Installation Assistant
ARCH2, Inc. Historian
Wharton State Forest Historic Interpreter
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Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates - Jobs of Experienced Alumni - Art History

Grey Advertising Account Executive
Venturi, Scott, Brown & Assoc. (MS Architecture) Architect
(Self Employed) Art Historian, Museum Curator, Researcher
Santa Clara Univ. (PhD) Art History Instructor
Montclair Art Museum Asst. To Director
Frank, Bernstein, Conoway & Goldman (JD) Attorney
Roberto Clemente Youth Center (MA Liberal Studies) Director
Queens Museum of Art (MBA, MA Art History) Exec. Director
Johnson & Johnson Information Specialist
Federated Department Stores Interior Designer
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Graduate Schools Attended

Institution Degree Field
Boston University MA Public Relations
Brooklyn Law School JD
Columbia Univeristy MA Art History
Columbia Univeristy MA Historic Preservation Art
Hofstra University Psy.D School Psychology
New York University MA Art History
Rice University PhD Human Factors Psychology
Rutgers -The State University of NJ Art History 19th Century European Art
Rutgers University M.Ed. Elementary Education
Rutgers University M.Ed. Education
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Additionally, you may: