Art History

Art History students study the origin, development, and cultural context of art internationally and throughout history. 

Students may also take advantage of special learning opportunities, including optional Spring Break mini-courses in Paris and access to Cleveland’s rich museum and cultural resources. All students receive a free membership to the Cleveland Museum of Art.

CSU offers a diverse range of courses in Art History including African art, African American art, Asian art, Greek and Roman art, Indian art, Islamic art, Western art from Medieval to Contemporary periods, Museology, and a variety of seminars on specialized topics, such as Art and the Holocaust, the Art and Architecture of Hotels, and Notre Dame is Burning.

Art History Students Learn:

• To research artworks
• To write about and discuss art
• To identify art techniques and processes
• How place, style, patronage, and culture influence art
• How art illuminates history, providing cultural insights
• To construct arguments and integrate information

Internships

Internships in the curatorial and education sections are available at the Cleveland Museum of Art and other local institutions.

Art History Career Paths

• Museum Educator
• Museum Curatorial Assistant
• Auction House or Gallery Specialist
• Grant reviewer for Arts programs
• Editorial work for Arts journals

Further study in master's and/or PhD programs to become:

• Art History professor
• Museum Curator
• Visual Resources Librarian
• Conservator
• Further graduate study in Law, which uses similar research, writing, and memorization skills   

Internships

Many Art History students gain professional experience working in internships with employers throughout the city of Cleveland and on CSU's campus. 

Scholarships

Art History students may also be eligible for departmental scholarship opportunities, including the Haddad Merit Scholarship.