Art Historian
Researches and interprets art across history — curator, teacher, critic or advisor.
Overview
Art Historians are skilled professionals who over the years have researched and gathered knowledge about the various forms of artistic expression that has existed since the beginning of time. Art historians are essentially art curators, teachers, critics or advisors who help decide what pieces should be added to a museum's collection, what is the significance of historical art and how they fit into the culture. They also analyze visual arts' meaning (painting, sculpture, architecture) at the time they were created.
Where they work
- Government Libraries
- Museums
- Auction Houses
- Educational Institutions
- Publishers
- Galleries
Work environment
You will work for 8/9 hours per day for 5/6 days per week.
Opportunities for work exist for differently abled in this field.
Skills and interests
This career might suit you if…
- You have a creative bent of mind
- You have good communication skills
- You have good analytical skills
- You are comfortable working in a team
Eligibility and education roadmap
Please check the duration of the course during enrolment.
Route 1
- 1Complete 10+2 in Humanities.
- 2Complete Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in Fine Arts or other Social Sciences, followed by Master's in Allied subjects
Alternative route 2
- 1Complete Bachelor's degree (B.A.) in Fine Arts or other Social Sciences, followed by Master's in Allied subjects and then opt for Ph.D.
Alternative route 3
- 1Pursue a P.G. Diploma in Museology and History of Indian Arts.
Forms, exams and applications
Exam names above are as printed in the source card. Application windows, eligibility and syllabi change — always check the official notification for current dates.
Where to apply
This course is offered by the Department of Fine Arts and Humanities. This list of institutes is indicative only.
Government institutes
- Jamia Millia Islamia, Faculty of Fine Arts, New Delhi
- Panjab University, Chandigarh, Punjab
- Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi
- Utkal University of Culture (UUC), Bhubaneswar, Odisha
- Faculty of Visual Arts, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- College of Arts, Delhi University, New Delhi
- Chamarajendra Government College of Visual Arts, Mysuru, Karnataka
Private institutes
Please check if the institute is affiliated and accredited before applying.
- Symbiosis Centre for Corporate Education, Symbiosis International, Pune, Maharashtra
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka
- Indian Institute of Crafts & Design, Jaipur, Rajasthan
- University of Technology, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Distance learning
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)
These institute lists are indicative examples from the source card, not a ranked or complete directory. Always verify accreditation on the institute's official website.
Career outcomes
Growth path
- 1Trainee → Art Historian → Senior Art Historian
- 2Lecturer → Asst. Professor → Associate Professor
Related careers to explore
Archivist
Assembles, catalogues, preserves and manages valuable collections of historical information.
Art Dealer
Buys and sells works of art, acting as the middleman between artists and collectors or galleries.
Student action plan
What you can do this month
- Read this whole roadmap and note any subjects, exams or institutes you don't recognise yet.
- Talk to a teacher or school counsellor about how your current subjects connect to Arts, Any Stream.
- Look for a school club, competition or online course related to researching.
- Shortlist 2–3 institutes from the list above and check their official website for current admission details.
- Save this career and compare it with 1–2 others you're considering.
Example from the field
Arshiya Lokhandwala — An art historian, curator and founder of Lakeeren Art Gallery (1995–2003) in Mumbai India. She completed her BA and MA in Sociology in 1986 and 1991 respectively. She is the recipient of the Charles Wallace India Trust award in 2001 for an MA in Creative Curating at Goldsmiths College, London. She is also a curatorial committee member of the Arts Pension Trust.
SourceThis profile is shared for training/educational purposes only, as printed in the source card.
Sources and update notice
- Career card source: Exploring Career Paths with Career Cards, Volume 1, printed page 63 (NCERT / UNICEF India / PSSCIVE Bhopal, First Edition, April 2025).
- Income source: https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/art-history-careers
- Last reviewed on this site: 2026-08-21
The Indian Institute of Crafts and Design, Jaipur is printed in both the government and private lists on this card; it appears once here, under government. The card also lists the College of Arts, Delhi University in Uttar Pradesh — it is in Delhi, and the location is corrected here.
Eligibility, fees, exam patterns and admissions change often. Always verify current details on official institute, exam-body or government websites before making decisions.