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SCHOOL OF ART

ART HISTORY

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Study the global impact of visual culture through a dynamic, interdisciplinary lens—right in the heart of a city filled with world-class museums and cultural institutions.

BACHELOR OF ARTS IN ART HISTORY (BA)

The BA in Art History offers students an in-depth exploration of art historical trends from ancient times to the present across both Western and non-Western cultures. This interdisciplinary program requires 36 hours of Art History coursework along with 9 hours of complementary studies in fields such as history or anthropology, fostering a broad intellectual foundation.

Core elements of the BA program include:

  • Basic survey courses that introduce major periods, movements, and styles.
  • A seminar on art historical theory and methodology, providing essential research tools.
  • Advanced courses spanning four major periods and cultural traditions, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the field.

Students are encouraged to enrich their studies through:

  • Independent research projects or Honors Theses.
  • Internships with leading Houston institutions, earning academic credit.
  • Specialized courses led by visiting faculty, museum curators, and conservators.

With Houston’s vibrant arts scene as your backdrop, you’ll engage directly with institutions like the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Menil Collection, and the Blaffer Art Museum, building professional experience and deepening your understanding of art’s role in culture.

Art History majors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher in their major have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through internships at some of Houston's most prestigious cultural institutions. Working under approved mentors, students engage directly with the inner workings of non-profit arts organizations, serving as curatorial and research assistants or contributing to educational programming and preparation departments.

Our students have interned at renowned institutions such as the Blaffer Art Museum, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Menil Collection, Lawndale Art Center, DiverseWorks, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Holocaust Museum, Printing Museum, and Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.

For those interested, academic credit may be earned by developing a proposal in consultation with Art History faculty. Detailed information about eligibility, requirements, and opportunities is available through faculty members or the undergraduate advisor, ensuring a personalized and meaningful internship experience.

MASTER OF ARTS IN ART HISTORY (MA)

The MA in Art History is designed for advanced students seeking a thorough grounding in the best practices of art historical research, writing, and critical analysis. This graduate program offers flexibility for students to tailor the curriculum to their unique research interests while providing opportunities for specialized study in areas such as museum studies, object-based learning, and art criticism.

Key features of the MA program include:

  • A broad range of coursework covering diverse fields in Art History, plus a rigorous two-semester sequence of theoretical and applied methods.
  • Real-world opportunities to engage with Houston’s premier arts institutions for research projects and paid/credited internships.
  • Individualized mentorship from faculty experts to guide your research and professional development. Faculty specializations include art of the ancient Americas, ancient Greek and Near Eastern art, northern Renaissance and Baroque art, global modern and contemporary art and design, Latin American and Latinx art and urbanism, art criticism, museum studies, and the history of photography.

The program prepares students for a wide variety of careers in museums, galleries, academia, publishing, libraries, and arts organizations or for further study at the doctoral level. Whether you aim to educate the public, curate exhibitions, conduct advanced research, or write critically, the MA program equips you with the skills and networks to thrive as you expand the field of Art History.

The MA in Art History program emphasizes hands-on learning through a range of paid and credited opportunities designed to prepare all students for impactful careers in museums, academia, and arts organizations.

  • Instructional Assistantships: Selective, paid roles allow students to gain teaching experience by supporting undergraduate Art History courses, providing valuable preparation for future educational careers.
  • Internships: Through strong partnerships with Houston’s premier arts institutions, students engage in funded and credited 9-month internships at renowned organizations such as:
  • The Menil Collection: Curatorial research, exhibition development, and public programming.
  • Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (International Center for the Arts of the Americas; Modern and Contemporary Department): Object-based learning, exhibition and collections research, catalogue preparation, digital archiving, and interpretive writing.
  • Contemporary Arts Museum Houston: Exhibition research and development and public programming.
  • Blaffer Art Museum: Curatorial research, interpretive writing, and public programming.
  • Gulf Coast Literary Journal: Critical art writing and editorial work.
  • Funding Support: Scholarships ensure non-local and international students benefit from in-state tuition rates.
    Travel and research project awards fund archival research, fieldwork, and conference presentations, broadening students’ professional expertise.

Through these opportunities, students develop practical skills, build professional networks, and gain real-world experience that complements their academic studies.

The MA in Art History program at UH goes beyond traditional coursework, offering students unique ways to apply their learning and expand their horizon of knowledge:

  • Dynamic Location in Houston: Situated in one of the most diverse and culturally rich cities in the U.S., the program provides unparalleled access to world-class arts institutions, including the Menil Collection, Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, and Blaffer Art Museum.
  • Object-Based Learning: Students enjoy hands-on experience through curatorial projects, museum workshops, and an Object Laboratory enabling teaching and research with original art objects. Multiple courses are taught in situ at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston by curators, conservators, and education professionals.
  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Learn alongside MFA students in fields like painting, sculpture, and digital media, fostering innovative cross-disciplinary dialogues. Students can reserve on-campus galleries for curatorial projects.
  • Visiting Scholars and Workshops: Each year, students engage with leading scholars, curators, critics, and artists through lectures, seminars, and workshops, gaining fresh insights into the field of Art History.

These experiences ensure students graduate with not only a strong academic foundation but also a holistic understanding of Art History as it is practiced in the professional art world and beyond.

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