Jobs for Art Historians
The term "art historian" may conjure a specific image in your head of someone who manages art collections and preserves them for future study. This may be true in a general sense, but actually, the career path of an art historian is just as varied and complex as many other fields of study. Depending on what you want to do in the field, chances are there's a career path that's just right for you.
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Corporate Curator
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At first glance, a corporate curator may not seem like a career path for art historians; it's a catch-all term used for people hired by companies to gather information. But many companies are involved with museums and the preservation of art, often hiring historians to research specific items or collections and relate this information in a way that's easily understood by non-experts. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2009 median salary for museum curators (of which corporate curators would be included) is $47,930. A master's degree or doctorate are helpful in this situation, as is the ability to work with others. Knowing another language isn't necessary, unless it relates directly to your area of expertise.
Art Adviser
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An art adviser or consultant is similar to a corporate consultant, with the very important distinction being they handle individual clients rather than corporations. As an art adviser, you help people with private art collections decide what they should collect. Unlike a corporate curator you don't normally have to conduct specific research for a client; usually you've already specialized in a specific kind of art, and your clients have sought you for this expertise as a result. You'll make contacts with museums and art galleries to obtain the best and most appropriate art for your client's display. Payscale.com lists the average salary between $34,014 and $54,502 for art consultants. While a master's degree isn't necessary for this job, you need to establish a level of expertise in your chosen specialty to attract clients.
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Art Crimes Investigator
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If you're looking for a more exciting prospect with international appeal, the FBI has a 13-member Art Crimes Team working in conjunction with the Art Thefts Program. The team investigates possibly stolen artifacts and maintains an updated database of stolen and currently missing art throughout the world. In addition to fine art, the team helps track down historical documents and cultural artifacts. According to program manager Bonnie Magness-Gardiner, art theft investigation is performed by qualified art experts in addition to other FBI-related tasks, and is not considered a full-time job. As expected, being detail-oriented and possessing research skills are important factors for this position. Knowing a second language is helpful for recovering international artifacts.
Art Conservationist
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An art conservationist works from a scientific perspective to maintain works of fine art that are threatened by the ravages of time, protecting them from environmental damage. As an art conservationist you should not only be aware of the chemical makeup of the piece you're preserving, but also the effects different types of cleaning agents and varnish will have on the artifact. In addition to a bachelors degree, you should have a master's or certification specializing in art conservation along with a background in or thorough knowledge of chemistry as it relates to the profession. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the 2009 median salary for art conservationists is $37,120.
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References
- Photo Credit painting image by Dmitri MIkitenko from Fotolia.com
