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The History of Art and Design
department offers exciting lectures and
seminars on a wide range of approaches,
from connoisseurship to the most
recent theoretical approaches. Frequent
excursions and internships result from
our extensive working relationship with
the city’s museums, galleries, and cultural
organizations and are a crucial part of
the curriculum.
Graduate Degrees
The department of the history of art and
design offers the M.S. degree, requiring
36 credits as described below and a thesis.
In addition, a Certificate of Museum
Studies can be earned in conjunction with
this M.S. degree.
Two dual degree programs are
available: History of Art and Design with
Fine Arts, leading to M.S/M.F.A. degrees;
and History of Art and Design with
Library and Information Science, leading
to M.S/M.S degrees.
advanced certificate in museum
studies
The Certificate in Museum Studies
complements the M.S. degree in the
History of Art and Design Department
by offering both a solid base in art and
design history and practical, in-depth
experience in the museum world. History
of Art and Design courses are augmented
by Pratt’s School of Information and
Library Science, Department of Art
and Design Education, and the Arts and
Cultural Management program. Many
members of our faculty are museum
professionals who bring their expertise
and experience to the classroom. The
Certificate is intended to give graduates
an “edge” for those who seek museum
and gallery employment. The Certificate
is available to graduate students enrolled
in the History of Art and Design master’s
program as well those in the dual
programs with the Department of Fine
Arts and the School of Information and
Library Science and is only awarded upon
completion of those master’s degrees.
Some of the courses for the Certificate
may be taken within the credits required
for the M.S. degree.
materials, techniques, and
conservation
Art’s historical concern with materials
and techniques exists naturally in
connection with programs in the practice
of art. This is an emphasis in all our
courses, but it takes specific form in our
required Materials, Techniques, and
Conservation course. In addition, issues
related to conservation problems in
Venetian art history are explored with
the help of local experts on site in our
Venice program.
pratt in venice
Pratt in Venice is a six-week summer
program that takes place in June and
July. Art History of Venice (HA590I, 3
credits) and Materials and Techniques
of Venetian Art (HA600I, 3 credits) are
offered together with Painting (Art 590I,
2–3 credits) and Printmaking/ Drawing
(Art 591I, 2–3 credits). Graduate and
undergraduate students enroll for six to
eight credits. We collaborate with the
Università Internazionale dell’Arte and
the Scuola Internazionale di Grafica
in Venice. Group visits to Padua and
Bassano/Maser are included. The
program fosters interaction between
art history and the studio arts through
group events, faculty/student discussions,
visiting lecturers, and just by being
there together. Participants experience
the visual riches of Venice and have
the opportunity to conduct research in
extraordinary museums and libraries.
Right: Students at Pratt in Venice at the Gallerie dell’
Accademia in summer 2011