Art history explores the world and its cultures through artistic productions. It provides insight into the values and concerns of various peoples, the ways in which they interpreted and interacted with their environment, and helps to determine the impacts and outcomes of such outlooks on our future. Through such critical engagement with the past and present, the art history student becomes uniquely situated to help determine his or her community’s and culture’s identities and its decisions.

In this, the Art History and Criticism program participates within Webster University’s mission to create global citizens. The program’s close relationship with the department’s studio programs lends a strong contemporary focus to the department’s outlook, and the student’s studies, while a simultaneous focus on the foundations of contemporary culture provide historical groundwork. In addition, the diverse curricular offerings of the university complement the interdisciplinary nature of art history, allowing students to pursue interests in other disciplines that also assist in their art historical studies. After taking introductory courses in both areas, students take advanced courses in two major tracks—early modern art and modern/contemporary art. Additional offerings in non-western and ancient art round out the learning opportunities. As a final project, Art History and Criticism majors produce a thesis in an area of their choosing and present it at the annual Art History and Criticism Symposium.

Webster’s global focus provides art history students with several unique opportunities for expanding their studies. The London campus offers the full art history and criticism degree, while other international campuses offer opportunities to pursue other interests or fulfill other requirements. In addition, the department offers two alternating short-term study abroad trips to Venice for the Biennale and to Florence to study Renaissance art. At the same time, the department has relationships with many local (St. Louis and Webster Groves) artistic institutions to enhance a student’s experiences, from internships at a museum or gallery, to networking with local professionals. The art history student group, the Art History Society, actively pursues these opportunities by visiting institutions, inviting speakers, and sharing an interest and excitement for the field with a larger community.

These relationships—local, national, and international—are sustained because the Art History and Criticism faculty are also active professionals in their field. They curate exhibitions in the Hunt Gallery, publish scholarship and criticism, and speak publicly on a regular basis. They bring that same professionalism to their courses and to their students. Although we firmly believe in the power and importance of art history as a liberal arts degree to empower an inquisitive and flexible mind to succeed in any situation, we also prepare students for work in the art world should they choose to continue in that career. The program balances a strong art historical foundation for further study with space for students to explore other interests whether specifically complementary or not. This unique blend of local and global outlook, of professionalization and exploration, of art history and other fields, has enabled our students to successfully pursue paths to graduate school, museums, art foundations, galleries, academics, and ultimately to contribute to their community in whichever form and field they choose.