Art History Writing Jobs

A major in art history presents many more opportunities than only a career an artist or a museum worker. There are also a variety of writing jobs that require a degree in art history. These may not be as plentiful as a more generalized writing job, but the pool or applicants will also be smaller.

Significance

An art history degree or a self-directed study of art history can be utilized in many different writing fields. Like with any discipline, there is a need for written information about the subject by someone who is knowledgeable about it. There are books, trade publications and guide materials that all need to be written to teach others about the history of art in general, of certain works or of a specific time period.

Function

Fact-checking is an important part of any scholarly written work. Publishers that publish art history books and magazines need fact-checkers to correct any mistakes in their works. This involves rewriting incorrect portions of these works and changing any information that is outdated. A thorough knowledge of art history is needed because of the many facts and figures that are generally used in these publications.

Types

Writing for art history books can be done in many ways. The art historian may choose to create his own job by writing art history books to serve a specific niche. The writer could also collaborate with someone else to create a book. The writer could also work for a publisher that creates coffee-table books and do work on several books that are being published. As a staff writer, this can mean editing art books or writing descriptions and histories of the works featured in the books.

Considerations

Museum jobs are hard to come by, but freelance work for a museum may be needed regularly. An art historian can write for museums on a freelance basis when new collections come into the museum. Each work of art will need a thorough description written to go with the display. If the museum doesn't have a staff writer, it may give those duties to a freelancer with a background in art history.

Potential

Someone well versed in art history can also become a freelance writer. The Association of Art Editors is a group that assists people in finding art-related writing and editing jobs. This includes a yearly conference and a forum where those interested in art writing can meet and discuss the available art history writing jobs.