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We live in a world full of images. Students of Art History engage with this world through visual analysis, critical questioning, and direct engagement with visual experiences.

Images allow humans to give meaning to the world around them. They're also a window into the past—communicating the ideas and values of the society they were made in. Art History is the study of society and culture, values, relationships, and revolutions. We begin here in Aotearoa New Zealand and use art to look out across the planet.

Art has helped changed the world. Prepare for a comprehensive introduction to the world of art through time—from ancient cave paintings to the latest immersive sculptures by contemporary artists. Learn to think critically about art in all its forms.

Putting art into practice

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You'll learn to interpret images, artworks, and artefacts from different social, political, and aesthetic perspectives and gain the skills to understand the nature of human creativity.

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Studying Art History has given me an even greater appreciation of the power of art to communicate.

Lily Pare Hallbutcher, Ngāi Te Rangi

Bachelor of Arts student in Art History

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Skills for life

Build skills that will be valuable across the whole of your professional life. Aside from learning to observe and interpret visual data, you'll learn to think critically, clearly, and rationally, research independently, and write persuasive arguments. You will contribute to the discussion of what it means to be a part of society, and become advocates for creative experience.

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In essence, art exists as human record. The purpose of the art historian is to utilise art as a means of encapsulating all that it means to be human.

Alana Rowe

Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Art History

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Active in the industry

You'll keep up to date with recent developments in the arts and cultural sector, learning from academics who have strong links to New Zealand's artists, galleries, museums and art schools. Get first-hand contact with works of art, collections, commentators and art institutions, including the University's own Adam Art Gallery.

Lecturers also play active roles in the wider cultural sphere—as curators, writers, and critics.

40,000

Number of art works, taonga, photographs, and collection objects in Te Papa’s collection.

After you graduate

Become a curator, researcher or attendant in a gallery, museum or auction house. Write for journals and magazines. Use your visual knowledge to develop online and digital visual profiles and identities. Forge a career in a government department like the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. Work in education, journalism or publishing, or become an academic.

You can continue to study for a postgraduate degree in Art History or Museum and Heritage Studies.

Art history graduates wanting to further their career and teach New Zealand art history to undergraduate students may apply for the Oroya and Melvin Day Fellowship in Art History.

Creative Wellington

Study Art History in creative Wellington, New Zealand's hub of arts and culture. It's home to some of the country's most important public art and museum collections—like those at Te Papa Tongarewa, the Alexander Turnbull Library and the National Archives.

Support for students

Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington is a welcoming place with great student support. There are all sorts of resources available to help you get the best out of your time at university.

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Related subject areas

  • Design

  • English Literature

  • History

  • Māori Studies