STARTING OVER... JUST WHERE DO I BEGIN?

[captainscarlet]

I will be 40 this year and I have a Masters degree in Fine Arts. Unfortunately, I have not really worked in a while and I don't sell enough work to live off being an artist. I am strongly considering returning to grad school for a PhD in Art History because I enjoy curating and out of all the jobs I have had, I most enjoyed working in a gallery and second was working at an art school. My objective to going back for Art History would be to gain more credibility so I could be hired to possibly teach part-time at a college or university, work as a curator and art critic , and do a job related to art while continue being an artist.

Nevertheless, it has been a decade since I earned my MFA so i would need to refresh my brain a bit. I also have plenty of questions as I am not sure quite where to begin.

I know I will need to learn a foreign language. I'm wondering which language would be best to learn? Should I learn more than one?

I am also curious if there is a lot of competition as far as art history related positions go?

There is no way I can afford to take on more tuition. What universities offer full fellowships/teaching assistantships?

Do universities help with relocation costs as far as relocating for study if you receive a fellowship or grant?

Ideally, I think I would like to enter a program or field of study with more of a learn toward modern and contemporary art as well as maybe culture, semiotics, art trends, digital media, race, and possibly gender. I suppose a field of art history that examines art and its impact on cultures ,and community and vice-versa. Something that could possibly bridge into philosophy, race studies, religion and gender. I hope that is not too vague.

I'm also wondering what is the best course of study under Art History and what line of study would assure me a job after school?

[anthropologygeek]

Yes to both the financial questions. Not sure which ones in your field but all you have to do is do some research into schools.

[asdf123]

as far as languages go -- learn german. regardless of your area of interest, you will be expected to have a reading-knowledge of german.

my recommendation at this stage in the process would be to read as many recently published books on modern/contemporary art as you can -- see what resonates with you and then look into where the authors of the books teach. also look at the bibliographies of the books that resonate and follow the sources around. this will help you to hone in on schools as well as begin to give you fodder for your application essays.

good luck!

[fullofpink]

1. For a PhD, you will need to having reading fluency in 2 foreign languages - most likely German and one that focuses on your area.

2. Yes, there is a ton of competition. Most schools are now limiting the # of PhD students they take to well-under 10 (many under 5) mostly because there are so many unemployed PhDs. A few years ago, CAA said that within 2 years 50% of Art history positions were cut with very little chance of coming back. Many schools are picking up adjuncts at a ridiculously low cost, not providing benefits. I actually think that you career goals are very realistic, but I would caution you on being so explicit in your applications.

3. Most PhD programs will offer some kind of funding, only the best students will get full fellowships and teaching assistantships.Even then, sometimes that is not enough to cover the cost of expenses. However, once you are in grad school (and depending on the location), art jobs tend to come easily if you network well.

I think it would definitely be in your best interest to find a few books on PhD process and applications - they definitely helped me!

[captainscarlet]

Thanks for the tips. I thought about getting a hold of some art history and criticism books to refresh my memory a little. The languages will be the toughest thing to learn I'm sure and preparing for the overall process. I did teach k-12 art briefly , but with fewer education dollars art is usually the first thing cut in public schools and the competition is just ridiculous now.

Being an artist I have always had an interest in art history and I have done some curating at alternative spaces. Is their an area of study that is more in need of art historians than others? What area is the most overcrowded? I do have interest in contemporary Asian art especially in Japan and China , I have a curiosity for the art being made in different cultures today and how it relates to public art.

[runaway]

captainscarlet, this is probably something that's more a matter of opinion, but my $.2: I think you should just start reading books, looking through museum collections online, wandering through your local museum-- just start thinking about what draws you and you'll find a specialization organically. The most important thing as a PhD student is to really love your subject with a passion. If not, you'll be spending a lot of time doing something you don't really, truly love.

That said, I read recently that there's a lack of new scholars in fields that aren't modern/contemporary.

[asdf123]

captainscarlet -- regarding studying contemporary art in Japan/China at the PhD level -- you're unlikely to be admitted without a strong working knowledge of the relevant language (Japanese, Mandarin, etc. -- depending on your focus) -- not to mention an application essay (personal statement) and writing sample that demonstrate deep knowledge of and critical insights into the field.

Because your interests are broad and if your aim is to curate at alternative spaces/contemporary art museums and teach part-time, perhaps it might be worthwhile to look at MA programs that focus on curating and contemporary art more broadly -- Bard (http://www.bard.edu/ccs/) and CCA (http://www.cca.edu/academics/graduate/curatorial-practice) are good places to start -- both have programs that are very well respected and give opportunities to curate while a student. A PhD, while it is one route, it is not necessarily the best route (and certainly not the only route) into a career of contemporary art curation -- particularly if you want to end up working in alternative spaces or kunsthalle type museums (ones without a permanent collections).

Edited June 18, 2012 by asdf123

[captainscarlet]

captainscarlet, this is probably something that's more a matter of opinion, but my $.2: I think you should just start reading books, looking through museum collections online, wandering through your local museum-- just start thinking about what draws you and you'll find a specialization organically. The most important thing as a PhD student is to really love your subject with a passion. If not, you'll be spending a lot of time doing something you don't really, truly love.

That said, I read recently that there's a lack of new scholars in fields that aren't modern/contemporary.

captainscarlet, this is probably something that's more a matter of opinion, but my $.2: I think you should just start reading books, looking through museum collections online, wandering through your local museum-- just start thinking about what draws you and you'll find a specialization organically. The most important thing as a PhD student is to really love your subject with a passion. If not, you'll be spending a lot of time doing something you don't really, truly love.

That said, I read recently that there's a lack of new scholars in fields that aren't modern/contemporary.

That's a good $.2

I think your right I'll probably figure it out as I start looking at more art again.

[captainscarlet]

The CCA MA program looks interesting, but I wouldn't be able to afford it without a full grant or scholarship. I'll have to research funding.

[captainscarlet]

I'm starting to explore art again and other than 2Oth century art (in particular black art, abstract expressionism, pop, contemporary and new media) another area of art history I seem drawn to is 19th century Japanese Prints. I've always had an interest in japan and Japanese culture. It's always been my dream to visit there someday too. Would Japanese prints be an area of study that could get me a job? Still exploring...

[Shelley Burian]

You have about as good a chance as anyone getting a job as a Japanese specialist, especially if you are also willing to teach other kinds of Asian art (if teaching is your thing). Like my speciality of Pre-Columbian, there are certainly less jobs but also less people, so I feel it kind of evens out. The language would be an issue though, as you will probably be expected to do one of your language exams in Japanese so be prepared for that. For me, getting a job in art history is so tough for all of us that you might as well work on what you really have a passion for, as that will sustain you through the tough times. If you love Japanese art, do your research, find a good prof and then go for it!

[asdf123]

chamomile is (likewise) right -- and I'd go even farther (at risk of being a total debbie downer) and say that a student is highly unlikely to be admitted into a Phd program to study Japanese art without a strong working knowledge of Japanese.

Now, this is not the case for MA programs. But I don't know of a single colleague studying East Asian art at the PhD level without a strong knowledge (reading, writing, and speaking) of the relevant language.

[losemygrip]

The competition for art history jobs is NOTHING compared to studio art positions. Nothing.

Captain, you need to capitalize on your existing training. You already have an MFA, so you're qualified to teach studio art, right? It's also a terminal degree equivalent. With an M.A. in art history, you could also teach art history. You'd be in a good position to do something like run a community college gallery and teach there.

I'd recommend working in modern/contemporary, since that's where the curatorial opportunities are, and that's where your current background lies. Since you've already got a terminal degree, you could even go to one of those arts administration or curatorial studies programs, if you really want to focus on that.