I am looking to apply to MA Programs in Art History for Fall 2022, and I am looking for some advice on which schools would best suit my interests and how I should prepare to apply. My area of focus is Medieval/Northern Renaissance Art, and I am especially interested in Gothic art, tapestry, illuminated manuscripts, as well as Early-Netherlandish painting. Right now, I am interested in applying to Case Western, IFA & Columbia (I've heard that they might be a cash grab and not worth it for MA's, so I'm open to forgetting about them), Courtauld, Williams, Fordham (Medieval Studies with a focus on art history), and potentially York (in the U.K.). Does anyone have experience with these programs who could give me some inside scoop? Are there any great MA programs with great Medieval Art professors that I should also look into? If you've been accepted at any of these schools, what do you think is important to know?
A little about me:
I graduated from the University of Texas with my B.A. in History, and unfortunately, I didn't take any Art History classes there, but I'm trying to make up for that by taking community college classes. Is it possible to take undergraduate art history classes while in an MA program to make up for that? I have done a lot of independent study, but I worry that my lack of art history classes in undergrad might hurt my chances.
I have 2 years experience working at an art museum, and four years experience working at a fine arts library.
I graduated Magna Cum Laude, with a 3.9 GPA, and I'm a member of Phi Beta Kappa (does this even matter to admissions committees?).
I have foreign language experience but only in Polish. I realize that it will probably be important that I have Latin, German or French (if not all of them?) Do most students come in with this knowledge or do they learn it by taking classes during their program? Should I try to take some classes is one of those languages before I apply? If so, which one?
My ultimate goal is to be a curator, and I know that I will need a PhD. I don't want to get into a ton of debt (I already have that from undergrad), so funding is really important to me. What schools offer the best funding (I've heard Case Western and Williams do, but I'm not sure)? And which schools are best for the curatorial side of things?
I would LOVE to talk to current or former students of any of these programs. Please let me know if you would be open to that!
Thank y'all in advance for your help!!