Your degree in Art History is excellent training for anyone interested in teaching the subject or working in a museum or gallery. There are many other career choices to consider although many require advanced degrees.
Representative Job Titles and Area of Specialization
- Acquisitions
- Advertising
- Architect *
- Architectural Renderer
- Archivist
- Art Appraiser
- Art Conservator *
- Art Critic *
- Art Historian *
- Art Librarian *
- Art Preparator
- Art Restoration *
- Art Specialist
- Curatorial Assistant
- Docent Coordinator *
- Exhibits Designer
- Education Director *
- Gallery Director *
- Historic Preservationist *
- Insurance Agent
- Museum Director
- Museum/Gallery Curator *
- Museum Publishing
- Museum Registrar *
- Professor/Instructor/Teacher *
- Publishing Researcher
* See Training section
Nature of the Work
Teaching opportunities are available at the high school and college level.
Museums and galleries offer you a wide range of opportunities:
- Registrars maintain all records of the museum's art collection. You would make arrangements for exhibitions, loans and art acquisitions.
- Conservators are involved in the care of objects in the museum or gallery collection. You would be responsible for the restoration and repair of art objects. You also would direct your staff on the proper handling, mounting and storage of the collection.
- Curators are responsible for exhibits and research activities. They also supervise the museum's employees.
- Education staff members arrange tours and develop programs, lectures and demonstrations.
Places of Employment
- Advertising firms
- Architectural firms
- Auction houses
- Book, print or slide libraries
- Corporations
- Federal government
- Department of Defense
- Department of the Interior
- Department of State
- General Services Administration
- Health and Human Services
- Galleries
- Historical archives
- Historical societies
- Local and state government
- Museums
- Publishers
- Retailers
- Universities/colleges
Training
Your bachelor's degree is sufficient for many of the jobs available to Art History majors. Those titles with an asterisk generally require specific education and/or experience beyond a bachelor's degree.
If you are considering a career in teaching and research on the university level, then you would need a Ph.D.
For further information and/or career counseling contact the UCR Career Center, (951) 827-3631.
Supplemental Material
The following documents may provide further ideas for exploration.
- Advertising
- Architecture
- Anthropology / Archaeology
- Classics
- Education
- History
- Music
- Religious Studies
- Theater
