Art does not happen in a vacuum. Art history is no different. Art history should be an interdisciplinary field of study wherein understanding works of art requires more than memorizing images. Literature, philosophy, psychology, anthropology, to name a few, all bear on the study of the arts. Therefore, the history of art is not to be limited to the study of styles and aesthetics. Instead, art history is concerned with the convergence of form and idea within cultural and historic contexts.
Learning to see has relevance for every other field of study and is paramount in the study of art history. For this reason the skills of looking, analyzing and thinking critically are stressed in art history. The art history faculty represents diverse areas of expertise that complement each other, providing students with varied offerings and different, scholarly approaches.
Nearby museums in Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Indianapolis, and Louisville offer - both in their permanent collections and through special exhibitions - opportunities to experience firsthand works from the cultures and countries mentioned above.
The discipline of art history offers rich panoply of skills (both cognitive and technical) that can enhance student’s potential in many career choices as well as enriching their lives deeply. Careers in art and design are ripe with opportunities. Here are possible paths your NKU Art & Design education will prepare you for...
