Careers with an art history degree
Studying art history means joining a centuries-long conversation about culture and creativity, and adding your voice. You'll examine visual and material culture through sculpture, photography, architecture, craft, digital media and performance art.
What can I do with my degree? Art History leads to roles in museums and galleries, curation and education, conservation support, publishing, cultural policy, archives, research and the broader creative sector.
Skills you'll develop
Your degree builds more than academic knowledge, it shapes the way you think, communicate and collaborate. Throughout your studies, you'll develop key skills for your career, such as:
Functional knowledge:
Contextualize art by connecting them to the people, politics, places and technologies that shaped them
Communication:
Write research papers, wall labels and web blurbs, adapting the tone and style for each audience
Management and organization:
Organize citation libraries, images, credits and permissions to conduct research effectively
Teamwork:
Collaborate with designers, artists, historians and educators to create stronger projects
Critical thinking and problem solving:
Compare theories on the same works and argue multiple perspectives with evidence
As a Concordia student, you will develop valuable skills to bring to any career opportunity.
Beyond the classroom: build your career path
Getting involved outside of the classroom can help you discover your interests, develop new skills and build a network of peers and professionals in your field.
First year
- Get support organizing your busy schedule at the Time Management Clinic.
- Explore student groups and initiatives that interest you.
- Improve your language fluency in French or English through conversation practice.
- Consider applying for awards or internships through your department.
- Visit local museums, including Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, Musée d'art contemporain de Montréal, and PHI Centre.
- Browse the CAPS online job bank for opportunities to gain work experience.
Middle years
- Connect with Career Counselling & Education Transitions to plan your career path.
- Enrich your global perspective by studying abroad for an academic term.
- Get paid work experience and tackle real-world challenges with District 3’s 12-week summer residency program.
- Take part in Art Matters, the largest student-run art festival in North America.
- Engaging with ethnocultural art histories research through the Ethnocultural Art Histories Research.
- Consider taking graduate-level courses if you are planning on pursuing a graduate program at Concordia after your degree.
Final year
- Help make campus greener at Concordia.
- Join the community-based internship program to drive meaningful change while building professional skills.
- Publish your academic research paper in the Concordia Undergraduate Journal of Art History.
- Prepare to showcase your portfolio or pitch your independent practice with storytelling and entrepreneurship bootcamps from FutureBound.
- Network with potential employers at recruitment events and career fairs.
Specialize your studies
Minors & elective groups
You can customize your degree by adding a minor or elective group. Popular choices with this program include:
Graduate studies and certifications
Graduate studies can help you specialize in a subject you love, engage in meaningful research or open doors to new career paths. Certifications are a great way to build new skills that complement your degree.
Talk to your professors or a career counsellor at the Student Success Centre to find programs that fit your goals.
Start exploring:
- Universitystudy.ca: A data base of graduate programs in Canada
- Concordia’s School of Graduate Studies: Graduate programs offered at Concordia
- Graduate funding and awards: Scholarships and awards, research and teaching assistantships, and other financial supports for Concordia graduate students
- Concordia Continuing Education: Courses, workshops and programs to advance your career
Career exploration resources
Professional organizations
Explore opportunities and expand your network.
Job banks
Career counselling & advising
Want tailored career advice? Book an appointment with one of our career counsellors or career advisors.
Start your job search
Career Advising and Professional Success (CAPS) can help you find opportunities and support you with networking, applications and interviews.
