Art with Art History Concentration (BA)

The University offers a bachelor of arts (BA) in art—with an art history concentration.

Art History is a discipline that focuses on the history, theory and criticism of the visual arts and helps the student to understand different cultures and historical periods through the study and analysis of art and architecture. The ISU Art History Program is a liberal-arts degree and is designed to provide the student with broadly based analytical and critical viewing skills enhanced by practical studio experience and academically related courses, which will enable the student to pursue a variety of professional careers in the visual arts and graduate-level work in art history.

The program includes a substantial number of art history courses organized to examine the history of art from a variety of cultural periods from prehistoric to modern times. Students may also choose to supplement departmental offerings with appropriate courses in the humanities. The program is supported by a well-developed collection of research materials in the Cunningham Memorial Library.

Art history students develop skills highly valued by employers such as critical and creative thinking, oral, written and visual communication skills, problem solving, organized research and systematic problem solving.

Students gain exposure to artists of national and international significance through a regular schedule of exhibitions and lectures in the University Art Gallery. Other ISU gallery spaces provide students with additional opportunities to view or exhibit artwork. Art History students also have learning opportunities through hands-on and other experiential work with ISU’s Permanent Art Collection. The department enjoys a strong collaborative relationship with the Swope Art Museum, nationally recognized as a major regional museum.

The department offers a number of student organizations, including the Omega Chapter of the Kappa Pi International Honorary Art Fraternity. In addition, students have opportunities to apply their knowledge and talent through real-life experiences such as interning at museums, galleries, community arts centers or design firms.