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I thought we could share some effective reading strategies for those enormous reading lists, and particularly difficult texts in our field. 1. How do you make time for reading with classes, grading, work, etc.? 2. How do you improve your powers of recall on various authors and their scholarship? Do you organize notes electronically or on paper? 3. What do you do with a text that you find difficult to approach or understand? I'm sure there are some great ideas out there! 😊

This is a dumb question, but... I double majored in economics and art history in undergrad and am applying for phd in art history. I've got plenty of awards and honors in econ but only one in art history. Should I list my econ awards in the application?

Hey everyone, I'm somewhat out of place here, i am only in undergrad, and am still planning my transfer to a 4-year institution. I am planning ahead, and I know career wise i want to go into academia. My main areas of interest are art history (especially when theory is involved), and history. With regards to job prospects does getting a double major in undergrad in art history and history, help seem more attractive to academic job prospects? I will double major in history and art history even if it doesn't, because i like both areas, and I plan to eventually get a PhD in one of those disciplines. My thought behind the job prospects is that a Community college, or SLAC would be glad to have a professor teach some classes from one discipline and some survey classes in the other (in this case history). I now job opportunities are slim for post secondary teachers, but I also don't care about teaching at an ivy league, and would be find teaching at a SLAC or community college. Thanks.

Hello! I am a student from abroad looking to apply for Art History and Curatorial Master's in the UK and in New York. All of them require a statement of purpose, which is something unusual where I come from, so I don't really know how to go about it, especially since I've been reading that it can be a make or break part of the application. I was wondering if there might be someone willing to share the SOP's that got you accepted into MA programs, just so that I can get the gist on what admission's officers are looking for. I have read a lot of mixed advice online, but I would like to get a real example of what makes a standout SOP. I guess people are concerned about distribution or copying, which I obviously won't do. I really just want to be as prepared as possible because I don't think I'll have the chance to apply to Master's another year if this year I don't get accepted. I'd be so grateful if anyone could help me out!

Does anyone have any reference of the City College Art History MA? I haven't heard much about it and I wanted to get opinions on it. Has anyone done it? Does it have a good reputation? Thank you in advance!

Hi all, I know it's a vague question but anyone in the contemporary art history and theory DPhil programme in Oxford(http://www.rsa.ox.ac.uk/study/dphil/dphil-programme)? or has anyone heard of it? It seems a perfect program for me in many respects, but I'm not sure whether it's an outstanding one in this field. Thanks in advance!

Hi everyone, I am applying for graduate school for Fall 2020, and was hoping I could get some help from this community pertaining to professors or programs that would fit my area of study. I'm interested in modern and contemporary art, visual and material culture, critical theory, decorative arts and craft, and politics and art. I have been researching for a month or two now, but would be grateful for any recommendations of notable scholars/programs that specialize in these fields!

Hi, I'm just looking for some realistic advice. I graduated this May with a BA in Art History and Anthropology. My long term goals are to become a curator, preferably for a mid-range college museum or gallery. I am looking to apply to grad school for Fall 2020 admission. I am in the fairly early stages of exploring programs though I have a pretty good idea of what I want from a program. I am focused on modern to contemporary art (basically 1960s onward). I haven't nailed down my specific geographic focus between African and Western so I am open to programs with focuses on both regions. I am leaning towards Western art simply because I am a white woman and the African art field seems to be flooded with people like me and that gives me pause. Regardless, the programs that appeal most to me are top ten to top 20 programs, however, I think it's important that I stay realistic with my goals so I don't end up wasting a bunch of time and money on programs that I have no chance of getting into. Essentially, I went to a low-level state school (in the UNC system) and had a really crappy first year so I ended up with a 3.3 overall GPA. Luckily I didn't discover Art History until my second year so my Art History GPA is 3.85. But I haven't really done any research outside of class and I didn't graduate with any form of honors. I do have 2.5 years of experience in the museum field and I am hoping to work or intern in the field during the intermittent year before I enter school. The majority of my experience is within registration however and I have no curatorial experience as of now. I haven't taken the GRE yet but I expect I will do well as I a fairly good at standardized tests. I know I have at least two very strong recommendation letters and a third that should also be fairly strong. The programs that really appeal to me are Williams, Columbia, Bard, NYU, CUNY, Tufts, and the University of Bologna has a very interesting program taught half in English and in French. The idea of completing a terminal MA prior to a PHD appeals to me for the chance to bump myself up a bit. Basically, how ambitious can I be? Sorry for the long read, I really hope someone gets back to me. Thanks in advance!

Hi guys! Anyone have any insight or comments about the UC Davis Master's program? Trying to decide between it (funded) and a non-funded program with much more name recognition. Mainly doing a Masters to gain experience while I decide if I want to push for a PhD, or turn toward museum education. I study ancient art if that helps, but I'd love to hear any info you might have!

I am currently deliberating between Art History MA programs at Hunter and Christie's Education... I have been accepted to both and am totally torn between the two. My hesitation with Christie's is the cost! I really like the way their program is designed (unlike Hunter's general Art Hist. MA, it is very hands on and focused only on Modern/Contemporary Art and the Market) but it just seems to wayyyy too much money. Hunter is affordable and great but such a traditional program that it doesn't exactly carry the same allure as Christie's... Does anyone have any overwhelming pros/cons for either program that could help me make my decision? 0

I am deciding between Hunter college in NY, University of Glasgow and GW University. I am in the process of making decisions about grad school, and I have some questions about the pros and cons of studying in Europe vs. USA. I applied to art history grad programs with the plan of studying Medieval and Renaissance art. I intend to pursue a career in the museum world, and was wondering on opinions about the benefits of studying in Europe, where there will be much more primary source material in my specialization, or studying in a place such as New York where there will be internship opportunities for my field. Hunter has an excellent scholar in the field I intend to work in. I was drawn to both programs due to their reputation for art history programs, as well as an emphasis on work study. Hunter emphasizes internships (they only hold class in the afternoons/evenings so students can hold jobs). My reservation is that the exhibition spaces associated with Hunter are for modern and contemporary art, so I think there is probably more of an emphasis on that in the program. Glasgow does offer a work study option for their postgrads. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Hi all! I'm considering applying to the Visual Studies PhD program at UC Santa Cruz this year-- hopefully to work with TJ Demos and Jennifer González-- but I'm having a hard time getting an idea of the reputation of the department as a whole. Any ideas or notions?

Hi everyone! Now that we (mostly) have our offers on the table, I am hoping to get some advice from anyone and everyone out there who might have some input - and if anyone else is in a similar position hopefully this thread will help! I am currently finishing my senior year of my undergrad (art history major, modern and contemporary focus) and have received a fully funded offer from Williams College. I'm also currently on the waitlist for the IFA's PhD program, but want to be prepared to make a quick decision should I get off the waitlist close to the decision deadline. I know I want to get my PhD, and the IFA would be my top PhD program choice, but I almost wonder if it would benefit me to pursue my MA first at Williams and then reapply to the IFA. I hope to eventually go into academia, and I feel that having the networks of boths schools would be an immense advantage when it comes time to apply for jobs. Of course, I know even the best CV doesn't guarantee a job in academia, but having the experiences/networks of both programs would certainly bode well for other lines of work as well (museums, publishing, etc). I am very interested in Williams' first year international study trip, as well as the opportunity to study another foreign language before going straight into a PhD program (I only have 2 years of German right now). But then, I've also received advice that it is important to do all your coursework at your PhD program if you can, so that you build a strong rapport with the professors and get to know your cohort better. And if I should get off the waitlist, who is to say I will get another offer after Williams if I don't take it now?! Maybe this would be my only chance? I'm almost hoping I don't get off the waitlist so I don't have to make this incredibly hard decision. I wish I could just have both, no questions asked... I've already gotten some fabulous advice and input from some people, but hoping there is someone out there who was once in a similar position and could impart some wisdom on me! Or, if anyone reading this thread has been to either program and would like to share some advice, that would be fantastic, too.

Hi there, After many years of considering applying to an MFA in Visual Art, I've come to the conclusion that I would rather return for an MA in Art History. I am carefully thinking all of this through because my educational path has been long and confusing due to naivete and lack of quality advice. For instance, when I first considered returning to school after earning a minor in the Arts, a teacher informed me that I could not earn a second bachelors of arts after earning one degree already (in English). Following that direction, I enrolled in a studio program that did not include any art history courses. I went on into a Post-Bac program that also did not emphasize art history, though I've taken a couple of art theory courses between both programs, and a couple art history courses to fulfill my minor. Throughout this time, I had many long discussions with professors who gave a lot of haphazard advice on how to shape my educational path in order to prepare for entrance into an MFA program. If only I could have steered my younger self. I'd like to say that I'm not bitter, but I sort of am. My original objective was to work in academia after earning an MFA, but after finishing my post-bac, I decided to enter the workforce full time and pay off some loans. This turned into many more years due to an illness in the family, and also my hesitation to spend more money without some solid guidance. Finally, I've connected with people who are well equipped to advise me on my next steps, and I am much more savvy in my ability to navigate this situation. I'm still considering a role in academia (if I am so lucky), and also positions within a museum setting. Luckily, almost all of my jobs have been within an art setting though not related to curation. I spend a good deal of personal time researching and writing. The magic is still there whenever I enter into a museum, and I run-walk around like a kid at a candy factory. I've also maintained my artist practice, listen to podcasts, and read about art on an ongoing basis, so I know this isn't a passing passion. I know taking more art history courses is essential for me to gain entrance and succeed in an Art History Masters program, though I feel confident that I can also leverage my studio art background in my application. I will follow the basic canon of any BFA program, with a focus on Contemporary and American art. I am giving myself two years to take courses, reorient myself to academia, research programs and grants/funding, and cultivate my network for support and recommendations. I am also looking for a job within a university so I can take courses for free - I've worked within educational institutes for five years and assume that will make my application a bit more competitive. I am also going to apply for a volunteer position within the curatorial department at a nearby visual art museum (I wish I had done this sooner). As soon as I am more set on a few programs, I will reach out to their faculty and current grad students. I am also beginning to research various organizations and networks. Lastly, I have a big pile of books in art history and the humanities I am slowing working through. I am excited to take more art history courses, though I am not psyched about the price since I've made so many misinformed choices in the past and foolishly accrued debt through the process. Are there any suggestions based on what I've shared thus far? I'll be digging into past conversation threads and posting more, but am so eager to connect with others on this journey. Please let me know if you see gaps in my thinking or if there are other suggestions for paying for the prerequisites. Any advice is appreciated!

Hi everyone, I'm a current applicant struggling to choose my MA program and I'm here for some advice. I have a BA in art history in UK and I don't necessarily hate it. But the thing is, I really want to study cinema for my masters and it seems that art history in the U.S. usually offer no terminal MA (some do but rare) while cinema do. While undecided on if I'm going to continue study art history for a Ph.D, I wonder if anyone know people who entered an art history Ph.D with a focus or a major in cinema studies. i.e. someone not cut off by art history due to their nonconsecutive majors. And the key issue is, my GRE is not very impressive and it seems that art history MAs usually require a very decent grade. I've seen people and schools that integrate the two well but not sure if it's normal. Please write down any opinions you have and I'll deeply appreciate.

Hi everyone! I recently applied to grad school with the intention on focusing on the Italian Renaissance. I would love any book/documentary recommendations you may have!

Hello people of gradcafe! After hours of searching the internet with limited results, I figured it's best to turn to the knowledgeable people here for help (= I'm an international student with a BA in history and am planning to apply for art history programs in the US. I found that some programs (such as Hunter's MA art history) require art history credits prior to enrollment as well as reading knowledge of a foreign language. There was only one art history course in my university and a credited internship at an art gallery (of which I both did). So now I'm panicking with a bunch of questions, I understand the best route would be to ask the schools directly but I thought I'd get a more general idea from applicants in the know here. So: 1) How "required" are the art history credits and language requirements for MA art history programs? Is it usually possible to take them during the program? 2) There's no community college credits in my country where I can make up for the prerequisite credits, does that mean I would have to sign up for online classes in the US? If so, does it matter how/where I take them? 3) Seeing that the US offers limited terminal MA in art history, how do people usually go about applying straight for PhD? It seems I'm not even eligible to apply for MA? I've read on here that arts/humanities don't usually expect you to have research/published paper in undergrad, yet it seems pretty required for PhD so I'm a bit confused. I apologize if my questions seem ignorant, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Hi everyone, I was recently granted with one of the most prestigious fellowships in my country (Spain) to pursue graduate studies in the USA / Canada. This means I will be fully funded for two years and I have no financial restrictions for choosing a graduate program. I'm currently working on my applications and still doing research on different possibilities. Some questions have arisen and because I am unfamiliar with many aspects of the US graduate education system I thought I can find some answers by sharing them with you. I have a background in Literary Studies and a BA in Fine Arts, and my focus has primarily been on visual culture, visuality, media / technology, critical theory and the arts. My initial plan is to pursue a terminal MA program in Art History (with an interdisciplinary approach) or in Visual and Critical Studies. However, my intention is to pursue a PhD afterwards, so I want to make sure the MA has an academic approach that would take me in the direction of doctoral studies. As I do my research on different programs, I get the feeling that in the United States most terminal MA programs are more professional-oriented thus not so rigorous academic-wise (am I right or is it just a very biased feeling?). This has raised the question: Which MA programs in Art History / Visual Studies are out there that would take me into a very good PhD program? Or: Should I try to go directly into a PhD? Some MA programs that are in my radar: - SAIC (MA in Visual and Critical Studies ) - Columbia (MODA) - Bard Graduate Center (MA in Decorative Arts, Design History and Material Culture). - CALARTS (MA Aesthetics and Politics). - SVA (MA Critical Theory and the Arts) ((does anyone have an opinion on this program?)) Or more “traditional” MA programs in Art History, in Columbia or NYU (would a program like this allow me to have an interdisciplinary approach?). OR PhD programs: - Rochester (PhD Visual and Cultural Studies) - U. Chicago (PhD Art History) - UC Irving (PhD in Visual Studies) - CUNY (PhD Art History) Would any of those MA Programs make sense in order to become involved in doctoral studies afterwards? Do you know of any other MA degrees that might be worth consider? Thank you very much!!

A good friend of mine is a writer and researcher in one of the art museums at Smithsonian. She's as well read and up to date about modern art history and critical theory as anyone I know (including my colleagues in the Art History Department at the university where I teach.) She has a substantial dossier of research and writing already, but in order to do more she needs to get her PhD. Her problem is that she's a bit of a generalist. Her job has meant that she's researched and written broadly about modern art. She also has a serious background in music and literature, and talks often and in great depth about areas where art, music, literature and theatre converge. Does anyone have any suggestions about programs or particular individuals to get in touch with who would want to work with someone with such a broad background? With the body of work she's already done, her problem probably won't be getting into a program - the issue is finding the right place. International programs would be an option. I know she speaks French, but I'm not sure at what level of proficiency.

I am trying to determine which art history phd programs to apply to if my goal is to work in a museum doing research and curatorial work on American culture, specifically monuments. Are there programs which have better results for placement with these kind of museums or in this field? I understand there are "The Big Three" art history phd programs. What schools would these be? Which is most important, ranking of school, placement record with museum programs, location of school, advisor who is doing similar research? How do I find a good fit. Is there a resource for this type of information. Thank you

I am coming off of what feels like a string of amazing luck and yet I can't quite bring myself to feel happy about anything, because it has required a set of incredibly difficult decisions about my future. I applied to six PhD programs split between Canada and the US and I was lucky enough to be accepted to all of them. I visited each school and weighed the pros and cons of funding, POI, cost of living etc. and it ultimately came down to deciding between attending the program where I did my MA and a large, well-respected American ivy league school. I really tried not to let the "prestige factor" impact my decision, but everyone I spoke to still weighted it pretty heavily in terms of post-grad work and also spoke very highly of the program I ultimately selected. At the same time, this program offered full tuition coverage and a guaranteed stipend while the Canadian program offered great funding, but I would have to pay the tuition costs every year out of that stipend. I later found out that I was awarded a doctoral SSHRC that they would have let me keep the whole amount of, meaning that I could have been making equal to what I would make at a an early-career level position at any major museum. But, I didn't find out about the scholarship until after I had to make my decision. Now I'm dealing with the struggle of less financial security, because my chosen school doesn't really allow me to combine their stipend with my external award, and the costs of visas etc. that also would have been covered by some of the other American schools I declined. For reference, the major American competitor was a school of equal calibre, but one that I had heard very negative things about. It seemed to me that people in the program were not happy in general and not a single person I knew recommended that I should attend. But, they offered a larger financial package (in part due to higher cost of living), guaranteed access to campus housing and a better healthcare package than the school I chose. On top of ALL of this, I was blessed to be offered a year long contract position at a major museum as a curatorial assistant for a job I applied to mostly out of duty and did not expect to hear back from. In the end, I decided to turn down the position because I already have considerable museum experience and felt that I really should just get started on my PhD instead of delaying one more year. But now I am left feeling unsure about ALL of my decisions: did I pick the right school? Should I have taken the job and deferred my PhD (but I would have lost the scholarship)? Is it too late to change my mind? How do I come to terms with my incredible good luck and feel good about my decisions instead of feeling gut wrenched by overanalyzing everything?

Hi everybody! This is my first time posting to this forum so I hope I'm doing this correctly. I am about to begin studying for my PhD Qualifying Exams in Art History, and I am trying to get a sense of the average number of books Art History students read for exams in other graduate programs. The professors in my department have ZERO consistency amongst each other when assigning book lists. Lists range anywhere from 50 to 300 books, with 4 month reading period. When the graduate students tried to address this discrepancy in a meeting with our Director of Graduate Studies, we were told "This is how it's always been done," and "Exams are supposed to drive you crazy." The general lack of respect for mental health in my department is an issue for another day. Unfortunately, my advisor is on the higher end of the spectrum, and my current major list is about 250 books long. I am majoring in Italian baroque art, and she has asked me to read literature spanning between 1400-1800, in addition to literature on France and Spain. She doesn't expect me to read every book in detail, and instead wants me to understand how each book has contributed to the field. This is what she was asked to do as a student at Columbia in the 90s, and insists that this is the best way to proceed. Naturally, I am a bit overwhelmed about all of this, and I could really use some perspective on how other art history departments structure exams. Any advice on how to study this much material in 4 months would also be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Hi, I graduated in December with a degree in Entertainment Design & Tech., and it was during my last semester that I realized my passion was really history and the arts. I applied at Rice and Emory (didn't make the cut, surprise!) because my fiancé's company has offices in Houston (where we currently live) and Atlanta. I'm not sure whether I should apply again, look elsewhere, finish the Master's program at UH and then try to find a Ph.D. only program? In the end, I've never had a good academic advisor so I've been making it up as I go. I'm not sure if my application/writing sample/supporting materials are strong enough, or if I should be reaching out to professors. I've never published any papers, so should I attempt that? I should also probably retake the GRE, but I don't do insanely well on timed standardized tests, so I'm not sure it's worth the time or money. In the end, I guess I'm just looking for a way to make myself more competitive, and perhaps clarify some of my confusion. I'd appreciate any thoughts you all might have. Thanks!

Hi all, I posted this is a different forum but wanted to share here. I've been working on a spreadsheet of where mod/con curators or directors got their education. This helped me as I have been deciding where to apply/where to attend. I looked mostly at museums I'm interested in working. Fascinating that for modern/contemporary at least, less that 20% have doctoral degrees. In order of most frequent: NYU, Courtauld, Columbia, Bard, Hunter, and Williams. Another consideration is how many students these programs have per year... Hope this helps someone else! It could be made into a google sheet if people want to contribute to it. https://www.dropbox.com/s/ii0568y5n50yysg/Modern%2FContemporary Curators (3).xlsx?dl=0

Hello! I'm hoping someone out there can help me make a solid decision about which graduate program to enroll in. I was recently offered admission into these two programs: University of Chicago, MA, Latin American & Caribbean Studies (Art History focus); 1 year program; ~8 students Hunter College CUNY, MA, Art History (Latin American focus); ~2 year program; ~100 students; part-time or full-time I hope to (eventually) pursue a fully-funded PhD program in Latin American art history. I have contacted professors at the schools I hope to apply to for PhD programs and they have valid points in promoting either program. This is why I'm torn between the two. They are about equal in cost (considering scholarships and living expenses in Chicago vs NY). However, I would be able to work full-time while attending Hunter. I have heard amazing things about the art history program and placements at Hunter, but I think it might also be due to the fact that they produce a greater quantity of students. The University of Chicago has a great name, but because the LACS program is small, I'm finding it difficult to speak to alumni. UofC seems incredibly supportive of its students and the campus life seems to be really rich - which I imagine to be a hard thing to achieve with a larger group of commuter students at Hunter. I'm hoping some of you veterans out there will have insight on this dilemma. Which do you think would provide better preparation for PhD applications/placements? Is a 2 year program always better than a 1 year MA? Is an MA in Latin American & Caribbean Studies (with a focus in art history) just as respected as an Art History MA? Do you recommend one school over another?