About Art History and Theory
Art History and Theory are actually separate, though related subjects. Students may specialise in one of these or undertake a mixture of the two as part of their degree. They involve the study of visual culture and, in particular but not exclusively, 'fine art' images and objects. You will study various media including painting and drawing, architecture, sculpture, photography and printmaking, ceramics, furniture and weaving. Also, art institutions and practices, such as collecting, patronage, art education, art criticism and iconography are all considered.
Our courses reflect your lecturers' specialisations that include European art and other indigenous art, contemporary art, American art, East Asian art, Māori art, and architectural history. Some of the lecturers also specialise in subjects beyond Art History and Theory such as literature, anthropology, cultural studies, and aesthetics.
Why study Art History and Theory?
Art History and Theory courses at Canterbury have been consistently voted as among the best taught, best organised and most interesting in the University. We aim to increase your enjoyment of art by increasing your understanding of it and to train you in looking, thinking and writing about art.
View Art History Courses at Canterbury
Career Opportunities
While some Art History and Theory graduates work directly in the art world, career possibilities are diverse such as opporutunities to use highly developed aesthetic sense, attention to visual details, analytical and research skills as well as verbal, written and thinking skills.
Art History and Theory graduates are employed in museums, galleries, in heritage conservation, educational institutions at all levels, libraries and information services, publishing, journalism, marketing and tourism. Many of our students have benefited from majoring in other subjects alongside Art History and Theory, such as law and psychology, and cultural studies.
Some individuals who began their training in this programme and now earn their living from the education they got here are:
- Justin Paton (BA, 1993), now Senior Curator at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetu
- Jungeun Lee (MA, 2004), now Researcher & Archivist, Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art at Sotheby’s, London
- Jo Mair (BA, 2009), now the 7th SCAPE Biennial’s Public Art Project Manager
- Melinda Johnston (MA, 2004), now Contract Lecturer in Art History at University of Canterbury
- Jessica Halliday (PhD, 2005), now freelance architectural historian, writer and curator working on the New Zealand Architects of the Post-war Period oral history project
- Sarah Snelling (BA, 2001), now Research Coordinator at Hawkes Bay Museum and Art Gallery
- David Maskill (MA, 1987), now Programme Director, School of Art History, Classics and Religious Studies at Victoria University of Wellington
- Sarah Amazinnia (BA, 2007), now Public Programmes Officer at Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna O Waiwhetu
- Kristina Pickford (BA Hons, 2010), now researcher at Christchurch City Council Heritage Unit
- Jamie Hanton (BA Hons, 2010), now Director of Blue Oyster Contemporary Art Space, Dunedin
- Melissa Reimer (PhD 2011), now Gallery Manager, Gallery thirty three, Wanaka