I'm really into art history and thinking about majoring in it. Which colleges are considered the best for pursuing an art history degree? Bonus points if they have great on-campus museums or collections!
If you have a passion for art history, it's fantastic that you're looking for schools that offer excellent programs in the subject. Here are a few institutions known for their excellent art history programs:
- Yale University: Yale has one of the leading art history departments in the U.S. Its Institute of Sacred Music has an art history program that closely interacts with Yale's other humanities departments. They also have the Yale University Art Gallery which is the oldest university art museum in the western hemisphere with a collection of over 300,000 objects.
- New York University (NYU): Known for its program's emphasis on global art history. The school is based in New York City, which is a fantastic city for art and culture lovers, allowing you to explore iconic museums like the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, and Guggenheim.
- University of California, Berkeley: Provides a unique focus on many periods and regions, including East Asian, South Asian, and Islamic art history. You'll also have access to the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, boasting an extensive collection of more than 25,000 works.
- University of Pennsylvania (UPenn): Touting distinguished faculty, the curriculum extends from antiquity to modern and contemporary art. Students can take advantage of the Penn Museum and the ICA - Institute of Contemporary Art.
- Williams College: Here, you'll find the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. They have an acclaimed graduate program for art history as well as an amazing undergraduate offering.
These schools offer well-rounded programs, and their extensive collections offer excellent opportunities for research and hands-on experience. As always, be sure to visit their websites or contact their admissions offices for the most detailed and accurate information.
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