Find your perfect college degree
If you want to maximize your creative and artistic skills, you probably need to pursue a degree in art and Art History. The practice of creativity can help you improve your artistic skills. And, an online bachelor’s in Art History will provide you with many hands-on experiences to make this possible.
Among artists, it is said that their natural creativity is the foundation for all other skills. But by studying more about art, you can grow and nurture more artistic skills.
Contrary to what most people expect, studying Art History programs at an art university can lead to multiple career pathways. You can use it to prepare for careers in law, business, education, and many other positions.
An online bachelor’s degree in Art History encompasses virtually every aspect of human experience and history from ancient times.
Rather than viewing art as an object, it considers it a lens through which to view the world and the societies in which it was created. Artistic expression has had an impact on history and culture in a variety of ways.
From prehistoric times to modern-day pieces, this coursework offers a unique insight into the study of humans and culture.
Here’s a fact: the US art market is currently valued at US$68 billion!
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The Lowdown
Studying an online bachelor’s in Art and Art History will make you aware of your surroundings, and every art piece will teach you about its past. Many aspects of art speak about history differently. No matter what medium or aspect of art you concentrate on, there will be unending discoveries and studies to explore.
Online programs in Art and Art History teach the rich and fundamental strand of human culture to an art student. You will also brush up on your soft and artistic skills as you pursue an online Bachelor of Art and Art History program.
Methodology
Today, most online art schools offer undergraduate programs focusing on Art and Art History. To help make the selection easy for you, we put together the country’s top programs from top online art schools.
Each of the best online Art degrees made it to our list owing to these features:
- Offered as 100% online classes in the undergraduate program or as hybrid online Art degrees,
- Emphasizes the core online courses of Art & Art History by exploring the sciences, literature, and history, along with media or performance studies and disciplines,
- May allow students interested in customizing their Art & Art History specialization to do so,
- Taught by an experienced faculty consisting of Art & Art History majors, terminal degree holders, and professionals,
- Hosted on a top-rated learning platform or Learning Management System that features online learning tools, library resources, and student services,
- Offers tuition assistance and financial aid options to online Art program students,
- Regional accredited, demonstrating compliance with academic standards
Explore our ranking process by visiting our Methodology page.
Best Online Bachelor’s in Art & Art History Degree Programs
Arizona State University
Bachelor of Arts in Art History (online)
Arizona State University’s BA in Art with a concentration in Art History degree is great for online learners who want to pursue an art degree. With this online program, you will gain a deeper understanding of the forms and functions of visual media throughout history.
Studying Art History leads to a profound understanding of cultural expression. After graduation, students can work in different roles in art museums, archives, galleries, art agencies, and cultural centers,
Among the courses you’ll learn in this Art History online degree are the following:
- Science
- Anthropology
- Literature
- History
- Media and performance studies
The program offers courses in Renaissance to modern art, African, Oceanian, and American art, and prehistoric to medieval art. Taking courses that enhance your understanding of cultural context is possible with an Art History degree.
This course will discuss art production, patronage, consumption, and aesthetics. Research methods and research methods analysis are discussed in a seminar at the end of the program.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Top scholars, artists, and designers engage students at the ASU Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. The ASU faculty conducts research rooted in the transformative power of art.
Did You Know?
In addition to offering top-ranked undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines, ASU’s Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts is a leading institution. Its training programs develop artist and designer skills for advancing culture, building community, and transforming society.
University of Massachusetts-Lowell
Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts – Art History (online)
The Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts with a concentration in Art History prepares students to be visually literate and understand art’s historical development throughout history.
Students can assess the artistic products of past and present cultures aesthetically and critically by studying the intellectual and scientific events that have shaped the creation of art and civilization.
As well as enhancing students’ writing and verbal skills, Art History helps them develop aesthetic, analytical, and critical judgments. In the Art History concentration, students will better understand artwork’s historical and cultural contexts and organize their perceptions and thoughts.
An online bachelor’s degree in art and art history requires 120 credits.
Some of the courses that students will learn are:
- Renaissance to Modern Art History
- American Art History
- Comparative arts
- Prehistoric to Medieval Art History
What Makes this Program Unique:
A degree in Liberal Arts is highly valued today. A Liberal Arts degree is for students unsure of what career path they want to follow. But with an Art History concentration, you’ll be equipped with the technical and soft skills to become part of different sectors and industries.
Did You Know?
The University of Massachusetts-Lowell is a nationally-ranked public university emphasizing teaching and research excellence. Their usual curriculum prepares students for college, as well as for lifelong learning and informed citizenship in a global society.
Faculty members at UMass Lowell conduct research that expands the horizons of knowledge, providing affordable, experience-based training.
Lindenwood University
Bachelor’s in Art and Design (online)
With an online Bachelor’s in Art and Design from Lindenwood University, you can explore a variety of creative settings, from animation to illustration and more. Learn how to develop a multidisciplinary skill set that includes artistic technique, craftsmanship, innovative thinking, project development, and problem-solving.
In two years or less, you can earn an art degree online at your own pace with the accelerated degree completion program. There are specializations available for online students in this online degree. You can specialize in graphic design, digital art, web and user experience, or photography.
Some of the courses to take in this online bachelor’s in art and design are the following:
- Photography
- Visual storytelling
- Web design
- Programming logic
This online degree can be completed by acquiring 120 credits, of which Lindenwood accepts up to 90 transfer credits. As part of your Art and Design degree, you will learn how to conceptualize, design, or bring your concept to life using the medium of your choice.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The online art degree offers students a bridge between classroom learning and real-world design practice. Aside from art, you’ll learn all the modern art companies are more familiar with and use today.
Did You Know?
- The skills acquired in this program can be applied to many different fields, including special effects artistry, art direction, graphic design, and others.
- With low tuition rates and multiple ways to save on your education, Lindenwood University is dedicated to offering our students low tuition rates for online study.
Courses in an Online Bachelor’s in Art and Art History
Online degrees in art and art history will cover many courses. Here are some of them:
Photography
The art and science of photography go hand in hand. Photography relies on cameras, editing, and composition as an artistic expression.
When taking this course, learn how to use a camera, compose images, expose film, and adjust the lighting. This art degree course will also explore photography as an element of fine art design.
Introduction to Art History
As part of a group of courses on ancient and medieval arts, architecture, and visual culture, this course introduces major monuments and themes. Besides introducing students to the basics of art historical methods, this course will also highlight the power of visual images before the modern concept of fine art emerged.
Visual storytelling
Students learn how to operate cameras and record audio that complements video. The students will develop an eye for capturing and editing compelling images. By using graphics, images, pictures, or videos, visual storytelling drives emotions, engages interactivity, and motivates audiences to act.
Art Literature and Criticism
Throughout the course, learners will be guided through interpretive tools and hermeneutic principles that will help them critically analyze textual sources. In this class, you will study a variety of primary sources of art.
Literature Criticism consists of supporting opinions on themes, styles, or historical or political settings.
Possible Careers After an Online Bachelor’s in Art or Art History
Gone are the days when the sole option for Art graduates was to become artists and museum curators. Today, those who graduate from Art History degree programs are prepared to pursue various careers in the arts and beyond.
Check out the following possible careers you can take after finishing an online bachelor’s in art or Art History:
Educator
Museums and academic settings are ideal for Art History educators to share their knowledge. An Art History educator may spend considerable time conducting research and teaching elementary to high school students. Do note that educational requirements and licenses are required for higher educator jobs.
Librarian
As a school librarian, students, researchers, lecturers, and other academic members will benefit from your knowledge of information management, organization, evaluation and dissemination. As part of your role, you also support students and staff in developing the skills necessary to conduct effective research.
Museum Director
Directors are responsible for advancing their organization’s mission, artistic direction, collections, scholarships, and programs. The museum’s director manages day-to-day operations inside the museum or galleries.
In addition to overseeing the display and storage of artworks, directors are responsible for shaping the museum’s creative direction.
Art Auctioneer
A piece of art is auctioned by an auctioneer on behalf of the seller. For an auction to be successful, the auctioneer needs to describe the piece creatively and create excitement during the auction. Auctioneers should be well-versed in the type of artwork they’re auctioning or bidding.
Art Gallery Manager
Another possible career for Art History graduates is to be an art gallery manager. Commercial art gallery managers are responsible for a gallery’s artistic and commercial success. You will be responsible for managing sales, marketing, and artist and dealer communication for a commercial art gallery.
Art Conservator
If you work in the field of conservation, you might be asked to prevent the deterioration of any art piece. Your role also includes restoration and stabilizing the artwork. You’ll need to execute different conservation techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an Art and Art History major worth the educational investment?
Many career opportunities are available to those majoring in art or Art History. However, some fields are more competitive, and not every path has strong prospects for growth in the coming years.
You will succeed by establishing your career goals and selecting a program that develops the skills you need.
What can graduates expect after earning a Bachelor’s in Art and Art History?
Bachelor’s degree holders in art and Art History will be equipped and prepared to participate in diverse industries. You will develop the technical and soft skills to handle jobs besides art-related ones. But if you want traditional art jobs, you can work in museums, galleries, and art convention centers.
But if you wish to work in modern art settings, you can aspire to become a graphic artist, multimedia designer, animator, and interior designer. Sometimes, you can pursue graduate degrees and attain a higher position.
How can anyone become an Art Curator or Archivist?
A master’s degree is typically required for archivists, curators, and conservators. However, an entry-level position in the same position can be acquired with a bachelor’s degree in art or art history. An internship or volunteer experience in an archive or museum is also useful.
How much do graduates and professionals with a Bachelor’s in Art and Art History earn?
A worker’s salary is determined by their position and the organization they’re working for. For instance, the average yearly salary for archivists, curators, and museum workers is $57,120. Meanwhile, graphic design artists earn $58,910 per year. Other factors can impact your pay as an art specialist.
Summary Points
- Graduates of history of art programs work in museums and galleries and diverse industries like advertising, marketing, and public relations.
- Art History students study cultural and social contexts. They become familiar with art criticism and Art History theory, and they learn how to describe, analyze, and interpret works of art.
- Art History increases your ability to analyze visual content, write effectively, and think critically. Art History also involves plenty of writing, so studying it may make you an expert communicator and writer.
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