With an art history degree, you can work in museums, galleries, archives, auction houses, publishing, design, marketing, education, and more. Graduates commonly become curators, collections managers, museum educators, arts administrators, writers, and communications professionals.
Art History majors study how images, objects, and architecture shape our understanding of the world. While they become knowledgeable about visual art, they develop skills that are integral to many career paths.
At Willamette, studying art history means hands-on experience and thesis work. Our students work closely with the Hallie Ford Museum of Art and spend an entire semester on a thesis. Students can gain powerful experiences and build connections with art galleries, auction houses, and museums. Students graduate with experience that both employers and graduate programs value.
Art history students gain a powerful combination of skills that benefit them throughout their careers. Expect to develop skills such as:
Curators shape exhibitions, conduct research, and interpret collections for the public. It is one of the most respected roles in the art world, offering a blend of scholarship, storytelling, and creative direction.
They work in art museums, historical societies, cultural heritage institutions, and galleries.
Conservators work hands-on with artworks, using science and history to preserve cultural heritage. It’s highly specialized, well-respected, and intellectually rewarding.
They work in art museums, conservation laboratories, private conservation studios, and cultural heritage organizations.
Directors lead organizations, oversee collections, manage teams, and shape the institution’s mission. It’s a top leadership role with significant cultural influence.
They work in art museums, contemporary art centers, and commercial and nonprofit galleries.
If you’re drawn to art, ideas, and culture, but also worried about “what I’ll do with this after college,” art history can be a smart choice. You'll learn how to analyze visual culture, understand global histories, and interpret how art reflects change. These skills translate to careers in galleries, education, design, law, UX, communications, publishing, nonprofit leadership, and digital curation.
You should major in art history if you enjoy research and want to deepen your communication skills. It's a great path for those interested in art but eager to build skills that translate to a variety of fields.
Absolutely. A degree in art history provides important, durable skills that current and future employers value. Even if your goal is an art-related career, the skills you develop in art history can be applied across many fields and roles.
Students leave with strong visual literacy, cultural humility, critical thinking, communication, and project management skills. They can also interpret context and lead long-term projects effectively, even under tight deadlines. As technology evolves, these skills will become increasingly important across many fields.
“If you’re interested in working in a museum, this is the best experience you can probably get.”
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Willamette University
Ford Hall
900 State Street
Salem
Oregon
97301
U.S.A.