About Art History at FSU

The Department of Art History at Florida State University explores the world’s artistic expressions and the rich fabric of history, materials, and ideas in which they are rooted. We pride ourselves on fostering a robust intellectual community and an engaged alumni network. Our world-class faculty guides students as they research art objects and visual culture and hone their skills in critical thinking, writing, teaching, and public discourse. Our programs offer opportunities in fieldwork and museums, support for independent research, and hands-on training for scholarship and careers in the arts.

The great strength of the Department is its people. Our faculty is recognized for research activity as well as outstanding teaching and mentorship. Twelve core faculty members specialize in an array of historical periods, geographic regions, methodologies, and research questions. Our graduate programs have particular strengths in several defined fields of study and are among the highest ranked art history programs in the Southeast. Art History at FSU is the first – and remains the preeminent – graduate art history program in Florida, and one of the largest by enrollment in the country.

The study of art history at FSU extends far beyond the classroom. Our students and faculty are supported in research and conference travel. Our program in Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies provides theoretical and practical training for arts professionals, including student-curated exhibitions, fieldwork, and internships with major state agencies, archaeological sites, and museums. An expansive network of study abroad centers offers opportunities for internships and directed study in London, Paris, Florence, and Valencia. A distinguished lecture series brings renowned scholars to share their work in progress with us, and since 1981 we have hosted each year a celebrated graduate student symposium, drawing participation of students from around the country. The proceedings of these annual symposia are published in the journal Athanor, now online and distributed internationally to research libraries and universities.