Catherine Stuer
What you’ll study as an art history and visual culture major
If visual objects could speak, what would they say? Paintings in museums. Street art. Icons and sacred sites. Memes. An art history and visual culture major learns to look below the surface and analyze visual objects in human and social life. At Denison, you learn to interrogate the power of visual objects through an interdisciplinary lens.
We observe to understand
You will be doing the looking, and investigate what you see. Through close observation in class and on site, you will develop precise language to communicate and analyze how visual objects make meaning. First-hand discovery grounds our exploration of art and visual culture in all its forms.
We connect and contextualize
You will connect across the liberal arts to understand how art is meaningful in different cultural and historical contexts. We investigate art on site, analyze primary data, listen to artists and curators, research archival materials, and integrate learning in the arts, humanities, social sciences, and even the sciences.
We are writers-thinkers
Through close mentorship by Denison faculty and in collaboration with peers, you will practice writing as a way of thinking. Our students learn how to write about art and visual culture for different audiences and purposes, including for museum or academic audiences, for art practitioners, and communities.
Why is art history and visual culture better at Denison?
You stand at the center of your exploration
You will be able to tailor your studies to any interest in art and visual culture you want to pursue.
Our approach is global
You will be guided by experts to explore art and visual culture from around the world and across time.
Visual Resource Center
Affectionately called the Arts Living Room, the VRC is a space of collaboration where we connect for scholar and artist talks, facilitate workshops with practitioners, and learn to use an expanding array of digital tools and platforms to study art and visual culture.
Denison Museum
The museum is a treasury of more than 9,000 objects and works of art, especially focused on Asia, Europe, and North and Central America. Each semester, fresh exhibitions feature new artists and ways of looking and thinking about the world.
Jobs as a art history and visual culture major
An art history and visual culture degree will prepare you for a career as an artist, or in graphic design, or museum and conservation work. Many of our graduates also obtain higher degrees. See where our grads have landed.
Career communities
Art history and visual culture majors often join one or more of our career communities. Some common communities include Visual, Written and Performing Arts and Social Impact, Education or Government.
Career Exploration
Through the Knowlton Center for Career Exploration and its training center, Denison Edge, career coaches help you prepare for the next step after college, and industry experts help you acquire specialized skills and certifications.
Beyond the Classroom
Internships
Explore career paths through an internship (or two!). Denison art history and visual culture majors have interned with Christie’s Auction House, Midori Linea, the Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Columbus Museum of Art.
Study Abroad
Study art history and visual culture in your chosen region to enhance your language skills and build your career network. Conduct research on a traditional semester abroad or take a summer internship in another country.
Summer Scholars
Delve into independent research through our Summer Scholar program. All Summer Scholars receive a stipend and a housing allowance plus supplemental funds for research expenses.
