Department of Art and Art History

Department of Art and Art History
Name	Department of Art and Art History
Parent institution	University of California, Los Angeles, University of Michigan, Yale University
Head label	Chair
Head	Martha Rosler, Hans Haacke, Kerry James Marshall

Department of Art and Art History. The Department of Art and Art History is a vibrant academic community that fosters innovative research, creative expression, and critical thinking, as seen in the works of Frida Kahlo, Pablo Picasso, and Salvador Dali. With a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, the department has evolved to include a diverse range of academic programs, including Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees, as well as interdisciplinary programs in Art Conservation and Digital Humanities, in collaboration with institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Tate Modern. The department's faculty and students engage with renowned artists, curators, and scholars, such as Ai Weiwei, Cindy Sherman, and Hal Foster, through various events and exhibitions, including the Venice Biennale and Documenta.

Introduction

The Department of Art and Art History is committed to providing students with a comprehensive education in the visual arts, from the Renaissance to the present day, with a focus on Modern Art, Contemporary Art, and Postmodern Art. The department's curriculum includes courses on Art History, Studio Art, and Art Criticism, as well as specialized programs in Printmaking, Sculpture, and Photography, taught by faculty members like Richard Serra, Barbara Kruger, and Catherine Opie. Students have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of artistic mediums and techniques, from traditional Painting and Drawing to digital media and Installation Art, as seen in the works of Marina Abramovic, Tino Sehgal, and Carsten Holler. The department's strong connections to the art world provide students with access to internships, exhibitions, and other professional opportunities, such as the Whitney Biennial and Armory Show, in collaboration with institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and Gagosian Gallery.

History

The Department of Art and Art History has a long and distinguished history, with roots dating back to the early 20th century, when artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, Edward Hopper, and Grant Wood were shaping the American art scene. Over the years, the department has evolved to reflect changes in the art world, incorporating new technologies, mediums, and perspectives, such as Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and Feminist Art. The department has been home to many notable artists, critics, and scholars, including Clement Greenberg, Harold Rosenberg, and Linda Nochlin, who have contributed to the development of art historical discourse and critical theory, as seen in the pages of Artforum and October. Today, the department continues to be a hub of creative and intellectual activity, with a strong commitment to innovation, experimentation, and social engagement, as exemplified by the work of Theaster Gates, Rick Lowe, and Mark Bradford.

Academic Programs

The Department of Art and Art History offers a range of academic programs, including undergraduate and graduate degrees in Studio Art, Art History, and Art Conservation, as well as interdisciplinary programs in Digital Humanities and Museum Studies, in collaboration with institutions like the Getty Research Institute and Smithsonian Institution. The department's curriculum is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the visual arts, with courses taught by faculty members like Robert Storr, Thelma Golden, and Okwui Enwezor. Students have the opportunity to engage with a wide range of artistic mediums and techniques, from traditional Printmaking and Sculpture to digital media and Performance Art, as seen in the works of Matthew Barney, Sharon Hayes, and Wu Guanzhong. The department's strong connections to the art world provide students with access to internships, exhibitions, and other professional opportunities, such as the Frieze Art Fair and Art Basel, in collaboration with institutions like the Tate Britain and Centre Pompidou.

Faculty and Research

The Department of Art and Art History is home to a diverse and accomplished faculty, including artists, critics, and scholars like Tania Bruguera, Paul Chan, and Nancy Spero. Faculty members are actively engaged in research and creative activity, with a focus on innovative and experimental approaches to art making and art historical discourse, as seen in the pages of Art in America and Parkett. The department's research initiatives include projects on Contemporary Art, Art and Technology, and Art and Social Justice, in collaboration with institutions like the New Museum and Walker Art Center. Faculty members have received numerous awards and honors, including the National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, the Guggenheim Fellowship, and the Pulitzer Prize, and have exhibited their work at institutions like the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles and Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston.

Facilities and Resources

The Department of Art and Art History is housed in state-of-the-art facilities, including Studio Art studios, Art History libraries, and Digital Media labs, equipped with the latest technology and equipment, such as Adobe Creative Cloud and 3D printing. The department's facilities provide students with access to a wide range of artistic mediums and techniques, from traditional Painting and Drawing to digital media and Installation Art. The department is also home to a number of specialized resources, including the Art Conservation lab, the Digital Humanities lab, and the Museum Studies program, in collaboration with institutions like the National Gallery of Art and Philadelphia Museum of Art. Students have access to a wide range of art historical and critical texts, as well as online resources and databases, such as JSTOR and Artstor, and can participate in internships and exhibitions at institutions like the Whitney Museum of American Art and Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Notable Alumni

The Department of Art and Art History has a long history of producing talented and accomplished alumni, including artists like Kehinde Wiley, Amy Sherald, and Jordan Casteel, as well as critics and scholars like Holland Cotter, Roberta Smith, and Hal Foster. Alumni have gone on to successful careers in the art world, including positions at institutions like the Museum of Modern Art, Tate Modern, and Gagosian Gallery, and have received numerous awards and honors, including the MacArthur Fellowship, the National Endowment for the Arts fellowship, and the Pulitzer Prize. The department's strong connections to the art world provide alumni with access to a wide range of professional opportunities, including exhibitions, residencies, and commissions, such as the Venice Biennale and Documenta, in collaboration with institutions like the Centre Pompidou and Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago.

Category:Art and art history departments