The Department of Art and Art History is dedicated to liberal education in the creation and historical study of the visual arts. Students can major, minor or take a cluster in art history or studio arts.
At Rochester, we encourage our students to become technically adept artists who understand art’s place in culture. They learn from leading faculty who themselves are working artists shaping the artistic landscape in Rochester and worldwide.
Our department is distinctive in its orientation toward visual culture rather than traditional art history. We offer some courses on the art of particular periods, ranging from ancient times to contemporary, while others investigate photography or architecture. The visual studies component of the department investigates visual culture, going beyond what's usually considered "art" in thematic ways.
Finally, our programs marry theory and practice through internships, study abroad, and opportunities on and off campus to get involved in Rochester’s vibrant and dynamic arts scene.
Students construct their studies with the aid and direction of the department advisor and a faculty sponsor, following three areas of concentration:
- Studio theory and practice
- History and theories of art
- Visual and cultural studies
These are common areas that respond to the various ways student wish to explore art and visual culture. They provide guidelines that allow you to combine courses from different departments into an individualized major within the Department of Art and Art History.
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