Art History and Archival work?

[RGfellows]

Hi! I'm a senior art history major at UC Berkeley and I'm thinking that I'd really like to get into archival work. I have two questions on the matter:

 

1) Is there anyone here with any type of experience that might be able to tell me if they enjoy it/recommend it?

 

2) I know that a good deal of archives require people to have a masters degree in library sciences to be a full-fledged archivist. So, do people think that it would be worth it for me to get it? Do you think I should get my masters degree in art history first and work in some archives for a bit to be sure I enjoy it, and then maybe go back to get the library sciences degree in order to move onto full archivist? What do people think?

 

Thanks!

[Lamantin]

I can't answer your first question, but I do have some advice on the second matter. 

 

It might be helpful to have worked in a library of some sort before considering going into a library science program. It depends on where your focus is. Are you more interested in getting an MA in art history and seeing what kinds of job you could get with that? or are you fairly confident that archives and library work are for you? In reality, it might be that you have an equal passion for both, or you might lean one way or the other. 

 

Now, I do know of a highly reputable dual degree program at UNC, which allows students to complete course work for an MA in art history and a MLS over three years. And from what I've heard, the program has a very well known archivist (not that  could tell you who she is).

[ArtHistoryandMuseum]

work in some archives for a bit to be sure I enjoy it, 

 

If you can manage, I'd highly recommend volunteering, interning, and/or working in archives. You can also do this in conjunction with some academic programs. 

 

Also, I'd consider reaching out to archivists in your area, and having informational interviews with them, to find out their academic and employment background.

 

Another thought - depending on the type of institution where you seek to work as an archivist - you may want to consider a degree in history, not art history.

[EloiseGC]

I believe that Emory has an excellent archival program that is open to both art history graduate students, as well as library science students. Give it a shot!

[cleisthenes]

You are an undergrad at an institution with phenomenal archives and brilliant archivists.  Go into the Bancroft library and talk to someone there.  People who actually do this job will be happy to talk to you about it.