Art History

Become engaged with arts and culture

At Herron, you will develop your understanding of art in the context of history, science, language and tradition, exploring major movements from the Paleolithic period to present day.

Through intensive study and research, you will examine culturally significant works of art that illuminate our world and forge connections across time.

Our art history faculty are passionate about exploring perspectives from a broad range of disciplines and regularly collaborate with cultural institutions on and off campus, providing you with unparalleled research opportunities. You may also broaden your worldly perspective while studying history’s masterpieces on location in museums and at archeological sites and monuments.

Ultimately, you will develop keen visual literacy and communications skills to apply in a variety of settings.

  The Bachelor of Arts in art history program is currently suspended and not accepting new enrollments, in alignment with Indiana University’s compliance efforts under Indiana Code 21-18-9-10.5. This legislation requires state institutions to phase out degree programs that fall below minimum enrollment thresholds. Instruction in art history will continue to be integrated into our Bachelor of Art Education and Bachelor of Fine Arts programs.

Our art history faculty use the cultural resources of the urban environment as opportunities for our students to have first-hand experiences with art, and to understand how art functions in the public sphere.

Jean Robertson, Chancellor's professor emerita of art history

Resources

  • Herron Art Library, containing a broad range of research materials
  • IU library system and research databases
  • Intercampus delivery for library collections on all IU campuses
  • Interlibrary loan with access to sources across the continent
  • Artstor Digital Library

Professional opportunities

Art history majors are boundary crossers. You will learn how to navigate the world with strong cultural literacy and connect the dots across time periods, territories and cultures. Life after Herron could lead to a career in museums, universities, and nonprofit organizations as well as fields outside the arts.

Pursue your calling as a professional:

  • Arts administrator
  • Educator
  • Art historian
  • Gallery manager
  • Curator
  • Research fellow
  • Fine art consultant
  • Fine art appraiser
  • Journalist
  • Education coordinator
  • Exhibitions or collections manager
  • Conservator
  • Museum technician
  • Archivist

Join Indiana’s premier school of art and design