Is Art History a Fine Art Degree?

Art|Art History

Is Art History a Fine Art Degree?

Art history is one of the oldest and most respected degrees available in the world. It involves the study of art from multiple perspectives, including its cultural, political, and historical context.

It examines how art has evolved over time, how it has been interpreted and understood by different cultures, and how it has influenced society. Those who pursue a degree in art history often have a deep appreciation for the visual arts and a passion for learning about them.

The study of art history is usually divided into two main categories: Western art history and non-Western art history. Western art history focuses on European and American works from antiquity to the present day.

Non-Western art history covers works from the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Latin America, Australia, and Oceania. Students who major in this field learn about different techniques used to create artwork as well as its social significance throughout various time periods.

The most common way to enter an art history program is by pursuing an undergraduate degree in fine arts or a related field such as philosophy or anthropology. An undergraduate degree typically takes four years to complete and covers topics such as aesthetics, form theory, visual culture studies, iconography, conservation science and curation. After completing an undergraduate program students may decide to continue their studies with a master’s degree which can take two years or more depending on the institution they are enrolled in.

A master’s degree in art history requires more rigorous research than an undergraduate one does and usually includes classes in critical theory and curatorial practices as well as internships at galleries or museums. Those who complete a master’s degree are generally prepared for careers in academia such as teaching or research positions at universities or museums where they will be responsible for cataloguing artwork or writing educational materials about it. Additionally many students pursue doctoral degrees which allow them to specialize even further within their chosen field of study while also preparing them for higher level positions within academia or museums.

In conclusion it can be said that while not technically considered a “fine art” degree per se, studying art history provides students with an invaluable understanding of artwork from all over the world throughout different time periods which can be beneficial for those looking to pursue any type of career related to artwork or visual culture more broadly speaking.