Art History majors regularly report difficulty in their career searches, but the course of study remains a very popular option among undergraduates. There are students who do not wish to become art teachers or enter graduate school. However, many of these students fail to search for other related positions that will use the vital research, communication, and writing skills they may have gained while studying art history. Fortunately, there are several positions that incorporate the art history background while integrating skills gained while in college.
Art Jobs for Art History Majors
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, museum archivists and curators “work for museums, governments, zoos, colleges, universities, corporations, and other institutions that require experts to preserve important records and artifacts.” This position may require the employee to perform research, conduct inventory proceedings, and attend special events. Extended hours may be required. Salaries for museum archivists were between $28,000 and $66,000 in 2008.
Art buyers, or purchasing agents, are trusted by retailers to find pieces that will appeal to their customer bases and generate sales. Many positions require extensive travel to art shows, distributors, and galleries. Art buyers work non-traditional hours, as their positions often require significant office work as well. The salaries for art buyers are quite attractive, with the lowest 10 percent of professionals in this category earning more than $50,000 per year. Experienced buyers often advance to supervisory roles in which they manage the practices of two or more less experienced buyers.
Jobs Outside the Art Industry for Art Historians
Newspapers, magazines, and online publications regularly seek material written by experts in a variety of fields. Those with Art History Degrees and keen writing skills could sell their work to these outlets on a “freelance” basis. Freelance writers are self-employed contractors who develop interesting stories and pitch them to editors. The editors, in turn, pay a fee to the writer for the use of his or her material. Such work could lead to a wide array of writing assignments as well as an exciting career.
There are various non-profit organizations that work to advance the interests of the art community. Companies such as Art for Refugees and Art in Action work with people who aren’t regularly exposed to the arts, and require the services of people who are knowledgeable in subjects like Art History. Art History graduates can use their expertise to lobby for funding, perform publicity-related duties, provide administrative assistance, or even teach.
Interview Tips for Art History Majors
Some art history students become frustrated when they apply for positions and aren’t immediately contacted for interviews. Others are offered interviews by prospective employers, but are not offered positions. Job seekers should prepare for this by proactively contacting companies for which they would like to work, and by preparing for difficult interview questions prior to the interview.
For instance, art history graduates should be prepared to explain how his or her past experience has provided preparation for the job. One should also prepare himself to describe his or her desired career direction. Finally, job seekers are advised to expand their searches to include online and offline sources.
Art history is an important and interesting topic. Students who choose it as a specialization should remember that their college studies provide preparation for the career world. The number of career options is endless when graduates focus on their transferable skills.
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