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.
Program Overview
The Visual Arts - Art History (BA) program curriculum focuses on modern and contemporary art, Canadian Art, Indigenous and settler art of the Americas, Asian art, western art and architecture, as well as art criticism and curatorial studies. Beyond the first year of study, students may choose to concentrate their studies on global art history, modern and contemporary art, or curatorial studies. The program emphasizes the relationship between visual art and its social contexts, including global cultural exchange. Students have access to original works of art to explore 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
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.
Student & Alumni Testimonials
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.
Areas of Concentration
Explore a mix or specialize
Curatorial Studies
Global Art History
Modern and Contemporary Art
Public History
A degree in Art History can be combined with the certificate in Public History.
How 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.
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.
REQUIREMENTS
Our programs are open to students directly from high school, those with previous post-secondary studies, international students, exchange students, and mature applicants.
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.
