What can you do with a degree in art history?
A degree in Art History can open the doors to a variety of fascinating careers, including:
- Museum curator
- University professor
- Secondary school teacher
- Art therapist
- Auction house employee
- Gallery employee
- Auctioneer
- Antiques dealer
- Art librarian
- Art critic/journalist
- Editor
- Conservationist
- Art appraiser
- Freelance writer/researcher
- Art lawyer
Additionally, the skills gained from the study of art history allow majors to work in or outside the field. Graduates can be found in law, international policy, NGO administration, library science, and medicine.
Sweet Briar art history graduates work at museums around the world, in every area from curating to administration. They are also teaching and running art galleries.
Many art history majors and minors pursue graduate work. Our graduates have gone on to pursue advanced degrees at Harvard, University of Chicago, Georgetown, UCLA, UC Santa Barbara, University of Michigan, UT Austin, University of Virginia, University of Edinburgh, and Courtauld Institute of Art, London.
Denva Jackson Gallant2005
Assistant Professor of Medieval Art | Rice University
- Ph.D., History of Art and Architecture | Harvard University, 2018
- A.M., History of Art and Architecture | Harvard University, 2012
- B.A., Art History and Italian Studies | Sweet Briar College, 2005
Denva Jackson Gallant recently took a position at Rice University as Assistant Professor of Art History after teaching at the University of Delaware and receiving the Rome Prize from the American Academy in Rome. Prior to those experiences, Denva tutored with MATCH Corps in Boston, a division of AmeriCorps, and then went on to get her Master’s degree and her doctorate from Harvard.
Céleste Wackenhut2008
- Curator | French & Michigan
- B.A., History of Art, Italian Studies; Arts Management Certificate | Sweet Briar College, 2008
- M.A., Modern Art | University of Edinburgh, 2010
Céleste has participated in programs and held posts at museums throughout the world. From the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts in Amherst, Céleste has deepened her knowledge of art history and introduced audiences to fine art.
Emily Pegues2000
- Assistant Curator, Sculpture & Decorative Arts Department, National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
- B.A., History of Art and Spanish | Sweet Briar College, 2000 (Kathryn Haw Prize in Art History)
- M.A., History of Art | The Courtauld Institute of Art, London, 2011
The National Gallery of Art is home to some 4,000 sculptures, pieces of antique furniture, porcelain, painted enamels and other objects of art. As assistant curator of sculpture and decorative arts at the Washington, D.C., museum, Emily Pegues shapes exhibitions and research works that date from 5th century BC to the Renaissance to the modern era.
Kara Moore1995
- Managing Director of Global Philanthropy and Engagement | Bloomberg Philanthropies
- B.A., English, History of Art; Minor in Dance | Sweet Briar College, 1995
Kara Moore is a fundraising, special events and marketing specialist. She serves as the managing director of global philanthropy and engagement for Bloomberg, a media company dedicated to delivering real-time business and financial information to decision-makers around the world. Kara, Class of 1995, advances the vision of Bloomberg Philanthropies, which works to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people.