Natilee Harren
Associate Professor
Program Coordinator
E-mail: noharren@central.uh.edu
Art history is the study of creative expression by humans from our beginnings in Africa to the present day. Focused on the visual world, Art History is an inherently interdisciplinary field that also draws on the rich intellectual traditions of anthropology, literature, philosophy, psychology, and history.
The University of Houston Art History program engages the city’s art institutions together with our stellar faculty to create an innovative curriculum for students who want to succeed in the international art world. We provide a firm grounding in the discipline of Art History within a Tier-1, urban research university while providing deeply meaningful experiences in the collections of the city's major arts institutions. We believe in broadening access to sustainable careers in the arts by welcoming emerging scholars with a wide range of backgrounds into our major and minor programs.
Bachelor of Arts In Art History
Students majoring in Art History take a total of 12 courses (36 hours) in Art History and 3 courses (9 hours) outside of Art History that complement their studies in the field. Basic survey courses and a seminar on art historical theory and method are required for all majors, as is a range of courses in each of four broad periods and cultures. Special courses taught by visiting faculty and museum curators and conservators further enrich regular course offerings. Students can also develop proposals for independent research, Honors Theses, or projects related to internships, for which they can receive academic credit with faculty approval.
The city of Houston is a dynamic environment in which to study art and art history. Our diverse, world-class arts institutions include the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Menil Collection, Contemporary Arts Museum, Blaffer Art Museum, Center for Contemporary Craft, Lawndale Art Center, DiverseWorks, Project Row Houses, Art League Houston, Houston Center for Photography, FotoFest, Printing Museum, and Asia Society, as well as many alternative art spaces and galleries that focus on temporary exhibitions of historical and contemporary art. Art History students are supported to engage with these cultural institutions over the course of their studies through field trips, class assignments, and internships.
Download an information sheet about the Art History, BA degree.
Guest Scholars
Each year, the Art History Program hosts a distinguished scholar as part of the greater School of Art speaker series. In addition to giving a public lecture, this guest engages students in intimate seminars and workshops, where we have the opportunity to interact closely with their research and pedagogy. We host numerous other speakers throughout the academic year in connection with our curriculum, including art historians, curators, critics, and artists. In particular, we regularly engage students with museum curators and conservators from the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the Menil Collection.
Recent speakers include: Katie Anania, Claire Bishop, Charlene Villaseñor Black, Cornelia Butler, Douglas Crimp, Thomas Crow, Jamal Cyrus, Moyra Davey, Leah Dickerman, Natalie Dupêcher, Bradford Epley, Allan DeSouza, Julia Bryan-Wilson, Darby English, Harry Gamboa Jr., Julia Guernsey, Suzanne Hudson, Caroline A. Jones, Amelia Jones, David Joselit, Bryan Just, Lewis Kachur, Sergio Prego, Sondra Perry, Christopher Y. Lew, Mia Locks, Anna Lovatt, Megan Metcalf, Kari Dodson, Asa Mittman, Gail Levin, James Nisbet, Peggy Phelan, Laura Phipps, Mari Carmen Ramírez, Vincent Ramos, Matthew Ritchie, Judith Rodenbeck, Steve Rowell, Katy Siegel, Jacob Stewart-Halevy, Gloria Sutton, Alvia Wardlaw, Michelle White.
Internships and Independent Studies
Facilities
Object Study Workshop
Architecture, Design, & Art Library
At the Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Figurines from Object Study Collection
Object Study of a Figurine
Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Careers
Many of our undergraduate Art History students have gone on to complete graduate study in Law, Anthropology, Architecture, Business, Library Science, Arts Leadership, and Creative Writing, among other fields. Our alumni have built successful careers locally, regionally, and nationally, using their Art History degrees to gain employment in museums, galleries, libraries, schools, universities, non-profits, and the private sector.