Art History & Curatorial Studies
Explore the Major
Major Description
Art History brings a sensitivity and insight into the visual cultures of the past and present. It establishes the foundation necessary for careers in the visual arts, including teaching, museum and gallery work, auctions, architecture, archives, and conservation and restoration. Also, the Communication and Information Literacy competencies art history teaches make a valuable launching pad for disciplines as diverse as business, medicine, and law.
Art History & Curatorial Studies
Choosing a track in the major:
Academic: Designed to help you prepare for academic graduate school programs
Professional: Designed to help you prepare for a career in museum work or a field outside of the visual arts.
Art Hisory & Curatorial Studies Minor
Art History & Curatorial Studies Department Contacts
- Academic and Professional Development Manager: Cielle Davis
- Section Head: James Swensen
- Internship Coordinator: Kenneth Hartvigsen
- Comparative Arts and Letters Department: Comparative Arts and Letters
- Art History program: Art History and Curatorial Studies
Competencies & Careers
Competencies Developed in the Program
Students in the Art History program can expect to develop strong competencies:
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Cultural Navigation
Want to know more about these professional competencies? Career Readiness
Common Career Fields
Art History students can use their degree to pursue careers in many fields!
Some of those include: Museum Curation, Art Restoration, Art Business Management, Libraries and Archives, Tourism, Design, Legal, and Education/Academia.
Jobs in these career fields:
Would you like to know about specific jobs in these fields?
Check out this pamphlet
Handshake: Check out job postings in a career field that interests you! Use Handshake, the ultimate job board for internships and entry level jobs. Use it to search for jobs, connect with alumni, and research companies.
Meet with your advisor!
Would you like to know more about the program to see if it’s a good fit for your goals? Would you like to know more about your career options? Do you have a career option in mind but you’d like resources to help you chart a path toward that goal? Come meet with your Academic and Professional Development Manager, Cielle Davis!
Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to set up an appointment!
How to Add the Major
This is an open enrollment program! Simply submit a major change request on your Progress Report to get started in the major.
Student Success Stories
Read how Art History & Curatorial Studies grads have used their degree in their chosen career fields
FAQ's
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Toggle ItemI have more questions about this major. Who can I talk to?
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Toggle ItemI see there are two tracks in the major. Which one should I do?
Academic Track: Designed to help you prepare for academic graduate school programs.
Professional Track: Designed to help you prepare for a career in museum work or a field outside of the visual arts.
These tracks both require five courses. The academic track will help you deepen your understanding of art history topics. The professional track will help you develop skills to manage an organization, like a museum or gallery. If you would like to discuss these tracks and how they relate to career paths, come meet with your Academic and Professional Development Manager, Cielle Davis.
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Toggle ItemWhat if I want to double major in Art History and another program?
You can petition to double major. Learn about the process here.
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Toggle ItemWhich minors do Art History students usually have?
Art History pairs well with many minors! Depending on your career goals, you might choose: Digital Humanities, a second language, Business, Chemistry, Design Thinking, or Tourism Studies. You can check out all of the minors BYU offers in the BYU Catalog.
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Toggle ItemHow do I declare this major?