The Major
The art and the history of art major is organized into two distinct programs: The History of Art and The Practice of Art.
Learn MoreWe offer introductory to advanced courses in art history and studio practice that enable our students to develop artistic awareness, historical understanding, critical faculties and practice in the visual arts.
Department Highlights
Eli Marsh Gallery
Our gallery displays a variety of student and visiting artist exhibitions throughout the academic year.
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Artist Studios
Our students share large, light-filled studio spaces for painting, printmaking, sculpting, photography, video and design.
Arts at Amherst
Together, Amherst’s dynamic arts programs foster a lively environment for the multidisciplinary study, creation and presentation of the arts.
Learn MoreArt & the History of Art Courses
Current Courses
ARHA 138
Visual Arts and Orature in Africa
Description
Explore new perspectives in the critical analysis of African verbal and visual arts, and examine the epistemological process of understanding cultural symbols, visualizing narratives, and verbalizing sculptures or designs.
ARHA 205
Sustainable Design: Principles, Practice, Critique
Description
Explore key tenets of sustainable design discourse and how they materialize in practice. Then examine sustainable design in relation to issues such as inequality and marginality.
ARHA 310
Witches, Vampires and Other Monsters
Description
Through works by such artists as Goya, Picasso, Dalí, Dreyer, Wilder and Almodóvar, explore how evil has been imagined as an array of monstrous creatures and plagues.
Arts & Activism: A Conversation Between Photographer Jess Dugan and Curator Mary Stazer
November 2, 2020
The Department of Art and the History of Art and the Program in Film and Media Studies hosted a conversation between photographer Jess Dugan and curator Mary Statzer. Dugan and Statzer that ranged from whether art can help during difficult times, the artistic process, and the collaboration between artist and curator.
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Join our mailing list to receive information about our exhibition openings and other special events.