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School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design
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Department of Visual Art & Art History >> Visual Arts - Art History

Visual Arts - Art History

BA

Dive into the fascinating world of art and culture with our Art History program! You’ll explore art, architecture and visual culture from around the globe, gaining insights into how art shapes - and is shaped by - society. Through hands-on experiences like gallery visits, curatorial projects and industry placements at renowned institutions like the Art Gallery of Ontario, you’ll connect theory with practice. With options to specialize in areas like modern and contemporary art or curatorial studies, this program opens doors to careers as curators, educators, appraisers and more.

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Program Overview

York University’s Visual Arts - Art History program will give you a deep understanding of the relationship between visual art and its social contexts, including global cultural exchange. You’ll study modern and contemporary art, Canadian art, Indigenous and settler art of the Americas, Asian art, and Western art and architecture, alongside courses in art criticism and curatorial studies.

After your first year, you can concentrate your studies in global art history, modern and contemporary art or curatorial studies. You can also pair your degree with a certificate in Public History, tailoring the program to your interests and career goals. Throughout the program, you’ll also get practical experience working with original works of art and exploring practical applications of museum and gallery studies.

Sample Courses

As a Visual Arts – Art History student you can take courses like:

  • Curatorial Studies: Practices of Display 
  • 1960s Art in the USA and Europe 
  • The Art of Asia 
  • History of Photography 
  • Art Crime 

Career Possibilities

As a Visual Arts - Art History student you can become:

  • Gallery Curator/Director 
  • Appraiser  
  • Project Management in the Art
  • Museum Educator 
  • Educator  

Degree Level
Undergraduate

Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department
Visual Art & Art History

Duration
4 years

Entry Options
Fall, Winter, Summer

View Degree Checklist
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Next Steps

We’re excited that you’re considering applying to York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD). Check out our step-by-step guide to submitting an application.

How to Apply

Student & Alumni Testimonials

I love how flexible my program is. There’s such a wide range of courses to explore, from contemporary art to works from the very beginning of art history. I also love being able to connect with BFA students and build friendships and professional relationships with other artists like me. The field trips and on-campus galleries, like the Goldfarb Art Gallery and the Archives of Ontario, make learning feel so hands-on and inspiring. It’s exciting to be surrounded by art and creativity every day.

Jocelyn Bourgeois

Third-year Visual Arts & Art History Student

What I enjoyed about my program were the numerous opportunities to exhibit my work, collaborate with my peers, and do more interdisciplinary work. During my time at AMPD, I'm grateful for all that it gave me—a chance to make the work I want, exhibit it, and develop both my practice and confidence in my work.

Joy Wong

Alumni & Assistant Professor

AMPD has really helped me grow as both a painter and an artist. I’ve learned so much from professors who are actively working in the field, so they’re up-to-date with what’s happening in the industry. I feel really prepared to create my portfolio and apply for future job opportunities.

Karina M

Fourth-year student, Visual Arts - Art History (BA)

Program Highlights

Art history classes take full advantage of Toronto’s world class museums and galleries for class visits and assignments. 

Access to volunteer and job opportunities at the Art Gallery of York University, an award-winning contemporary art gallery on campus. 

Students can curate exhibitions in the Department’s two designated gallery spaces as well as in student-run galleries across campus. 

Joan Goldfarb Art Study Collection – an upper-level seminar course in which students curate an exhibition from the department’s own Goldfarb Study Collection. 

Students touring contemporary art gallery exhibitions and video installations, Visual Arts and Art History program visit with group discussions in modern museum setting.

Areas of Concentration

Explore a mix or specialize

A group examines artwork in a gallery, wearing white gloves, engaged in discussion about the pieces on display.

Curatorial Studies

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Global Art History

A spacious art gallery featuring a large mural, tables, and various artworks displayed on the walls.

Modern and Contemporary Art

A group discussion among women in a modern meeting room.

Public History

A degree in Art History can be combined with the certificate in Public History.

How to Apply

York University has a set of general admission requirements. In addition to these requirements, AMPD programs may require additional prerequisite courses, minimum grades and/or a supplementary application component like an audition or portfolio review. Be sure to familiarize yourself with all admission requirements before you apply. 

Review Admission Requirements

Submit your application through:

  • the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC) application*, or
  • the York University application.

Ensure that you apply by the application deadline. Approximately 5-10 business days after you submit your application, you will receive an email containing your York reference ID which will allow you access to view updates about your application using our online platform, MyFile.

*Please note, if you are applying to a program that requires a supplementary application you must submit your application through OUAC.

This program does not have a supplementary application component. After submitting either the OUAC or York University application, you have completed the application process. 

 

Get Ready to Apply

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IMPORTANT DATES

Stay informed about all the key dates and deadlines for applying. Make sure to submit your application by the specified deadline to ensure guaranteed consideration. Note that some programs require a supplementary application, so be sure to check the deadlines for those as well.

Check all deadlines

TUITION, FEES & FUNDING

Tuition and Fees will be paid to York University. For information on Undergraduate Tuition and Fees, please see the Future Students Website. Entrance Awards, Scholarships and Bursaries are available each year to support your education.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FINANCES

REQUIREMENTS

Our programs are open to students directly from high school, those with previous post-secondary studies, international students, exchange students, and mature applicants.

See admission requirements

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Get in Touch

Reach out to us for more information on our programs, upcoming events, open houses, and applying to AMPD. We're here to assist you with any questions you may have and to help guide you through the application process.

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