The information on this page is designed to help you explore possible careers. Use the links below to navigate to different areas of the page. We recommend working with a career counselor to help you identify careers based on your skills, interests, and values.
Students who major in art history develop skills that are highly valued by employers. These skills include: critical and creative thinking; oral, written, and visual communication skills; the ability to take multiple approaches to solving problems; adaptability; the ability to work effectively individually and collaboratively; the ability to interpret cultures; organization; research and synthesis. Students and alumni may find employment in government, nonprofits, educational institutions, and businesses, depending on their skills and experience. Internships or relevant part-time jobs may be a prerequisite to finding employment.
Resources with Ideas for Careers and Places of Employment
Careers Reported by Art History Majors on the American Community Survey
The following list of job titles was generated from American Community Survey data. Every year, the federal government surveys 3,000,000 people. This list shows some of the most-often reported careers for people who majored in Art History. Please be aware that additional education, internships, or career-related experience may be a prerequisite to some of the careers on this list. The University Career Center provides this list as a tool for generating ideas for exploration. To find a brief description of the following occupations, go the the Standard Occupational Classification system.
- Postsecondary Teachers
- Elementary and Middle School Teachers
- Designers
- Archivists, Curators, and Museum Technicians
- Lawyers and Judges
- Managers
- Artists
- Librarians
- Writers and Authors
- Education Administrators
- Chief Executives and Legislators
- Management Analysts
- Marketing and Sales Managers
- Fundraisers
- Accountants and Auditors
- Social Workers
- Human Resources Workers
- Secondary School Teachers
- Architects
- Social and Community Service Managers
- Registered Nurses
- Financial Managers
- Human Resources Managers
- Counselors
- Producers and Directors
- Editors
- Public Relations Specialists
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Photographers
- Computer and Information Systems Managers
- Software Developers, Applications and Systems Software
- Public Relations and Fundraising Managers
- Community and Social Service Specialists, including Health Educators and Community Health Workers
- Psychologists
Return to the top
Careers Reported by Recent Art History Graduates on College/University Surveys
This is a list of jobs Art History majors have chosen; it does not represent every career possibility for Art History majors. This list was generated from survey data published by colleges and universities across the United States. Please be aware that internships or other career-related experience may be a prerequisite to finding professional-level employment after graduation. The University Career Center provides this list only as a tool for generating ideas for exploration.
- Actuarial Associate for a public accounting firm
- Administrative Assistant for an art museum
- Administrator for a museum of contemporary art
- Analyst for a financial services firm
- Analyst for an investment banking firm
- Art Consultant for an art gallery
- Art Teacher for an independent school
- Assistant Account Executive for a public relations firm
- Assistant for an auction house
- Assistant Research Executive for a market research firm
- Assistant to On-Air Promotions for a comedy channel
- Associate Director of Operations for a seaport museum
- Associate Editor for museum
- Associate for a global management and consulting firm
- Associate for an art gallery
- Associate for an international strategy consulting firm
- Business Analyst for a global management consulting company
- Business Development and Marketing Associate for software development company
- Business Valuation Associate for an accounting firm
- Client Executive for a global public relations & communications firm
- Coordinator for Special Projects at a college
- Corporate Librarian for a high-tech company
- Curator for a historical trust
- Curatorial Intern for an art museum
- Customer Service Representative for a provider of bibliographic information management solutions
- Development Assistant for a public relations firm
- Development Assistant for an art museum
- Development Associate for an arts school
- Division Specialist for an arts-related federal agency
- Education Assistant for a contemporary art museum
- Event Coordinator for a performing arts center
- Executive Assistant for a financial history museum
- Executive Assistant for an auction house
- Fashion Stylist for a clothing retailer
- Finance Coordinator for a science museum
- First Grade Teacher for a national educational nonprofit
- Gallery Attendant for an art gallery
- Grant Manager for a university
- Historian for a cultural resource management firm
- Historic Interpreter for a state park
- Human Resources Associate for a provider of internet-related products
- Information Specialist for a professional association
- Intern for a fashion/lifestyle magazine
- Intern for a national art museum
- Intern for an arts foundation
- Legal Analyst for law firm
- Manager for a gallery
- Marketing Consultant and Creative Design Specialist for an advertising firm
- Office Manager for a gallery
- Operations Manager for a symphony orchestra
- Placement Manager for staffing agency
- Product Design Project Manager for a consumer goods company
- Product Specialist for a provider of retirement investment products for employers
- Project Assistant for a commercial real estate market research firm
- Public Relations Specialist for a fashion designer
- Research Assistant for a federal public health agency
- Research Assistant for an art museum
- Residential Counselor for a nonprofit serving people with physical disabilities
- Special Events Associate for a museum
- Teacher for Teach for America
- Teacher’s Aide for a nonprofit preschool for children with cancer
Return to the top
Vocational Biographies
Vocational Biographies describes the career success stories of 1001 real people. Search by career title, keyword, topic, and career cluster. Username: portlandsu and password: 3W9N
- Archivist
- Art Conservator/Framer
- Art Critic
- Art Handler
- Arts Center Manager
- Arts Funder
- Church Art Restorator
Return to the top
Professional Associations
- American Alliance of Museums (AAM) — "The American Alliance of Museums' mission is to nurture excellence in museums through advocacy and service."
- Association of Art Historians — "The Association of Art Historians (AAH) was formed in 1974 to support and promote the study of art history. We are the national organization for professional art and design historians, researchers or students who are involved in education, galleries, museums and art-related publishing, or any other activity linked with art and design history."
Return to the top
Arts Organizations
Return to the top