Department of Visual and Performing Arts

Art History, B.A.

Careers

The skills art history builds — visual literacy, research, analysis, writing, cultural fluency, and the ability to make and defend complex judgments — are valued across a wide range of fields. Graduates of the major go on to work in museums, galleries, auction houses, education, publishing, preservation, or development.

What you bring to the table

Art historians know how to look carefully, think across contexts, and communicate what they find to a wide range of people. In a world saturated with images and competing narratives, those skills are essential — and employers across sectors are beginning to recognize it.

Career Communities

Clark connects art history students to Career Communities — structured networks of professionals, alumni, and opportunities organized around fields of practice. Two are particularly relevant for art history majors:

Arts, Media, Design, and Communications

Non-Profit, Human Services, and Education

These communities provide mentorship, internship leads, and a network that extends well beyond graduation. You can join career communities on Handshake.

Frequently asked questions

Is art history a good major if I’m not sure I want to work in a museum?

Yes — and most art history majors don’t end up in museums. The analytical, writing, and research skills you build are valued across many fields. Employers increasingly recognize that people who can read images critically, synthesize information from multiple sources, and communicate complex ideas clearly are assets in almost any professional context. Art history is a rigorous liberal arts degree with valuable range.

What graduate schools have Clark art history alumni attended?

Clark art history graduates have been admitted to highly competitive graduate programs including Harvard University; the School of the Art Institute of Chicago; Institute of Fine Arts, New York University; Boston University; University of Wisconsin-Madison; UNC Chapel Hill; UMass Amherst; and the Courtauld Institute of Art in London — one of the world’s leading centers for art historical research.