Modern & Contemporary Art History
saic.edu/maah
Our acclaimed graduate degree in Art History offers the opportunity to pursue research in a prestigious fine art school recognized for its curriculum in modern and contemporary art and connected to a museum of international renown. The program has a global focus, while drawing on Chicago, with its wealth of artistic, architectural, and cultural assets.
Wide-ranging scholarship
This two-year master’s program offers an immersive study of modern and contemporary art, design, and theory in its global and transnational contexts. Students develop a broad foundation of knowledge studying a wide range of artists and designers across a variety of art and design practices. Research culminates in a master’s thesis, written under the supervision of a department faculty member, on a topic of student interest.
Renowned faculty
Art History faculty members are scholars with global reputations whose research is on the cutting edge of trends in the field. Their specialties extend globally, including Africa, Latin America, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Europe, and North America. Their interdisciplinary teaching engages with a range of critical perspectives, such as race, gender, decolonization, performance studies, design history, and transnational, experimental media.
Careers
Graduates of the program enjoy successful careers, pursuing a wide range of professions that include curation, writing, research and teaching, with many going on to influential positions in museums, art galleries, alternative venues, publishing, and academia.
For more information on the program and application requirements, please visit: saic.edu/maah
World-class resources
Students have access to the Art Institute of Chicago and its extensive research collections including the Prints and Drawings Room and Ryerson and Burnham libraries. Additional resources include the Flaxman Library, Video Data Bank, Fashion Resource Center, Roger Brown Study Collection, and the Gene Siskel Film Center. Numerous visiting artists, designers, historians, and critics offer opportunities to expand knowledge and challenge ideas. Chicago’s vibrant cultural and artistic environment includes major cultural institutions, numerous artist-run galleries, and communitybased organizations.
SIMON ANDERSON
SHIBEN BANERJI
ANNIE BOURNEUF
DELINDA J. COLLIER (Graduate Dean)
JAMES ELKINS
MICHAEL J. GOLEC
SETH KIM-COHEN
JENNIFER DOROTHY LEE
DANIEL R. QUILES
DAVID RASKIN
NORA ANNESLEY TAYLOR
LISA WAINWRIGHT
MECHTILD WIDRICH
For complete faculty listing visit: saic.edu/maah
› Focuses on art worlds outside of Europe and North America or focuses on Global Art Theory. A list of courses that satisfies this requirement is available from the department every semester.
› ARTHI 5999 Thesis I (3) › ARTHI 6999 Thesis II (Independent Study) (3)
› Completion of thesis—a final thesis must be submitted to and approved by the thesis readers and the Department of Art History, Theory, and Criticism.
* Students may elect to follow a specialized pathway in Design History. MAAH students electing to follow the Design History pathway are expected to take ARTHI 5007 as their historiography seminar and ARTHI 5576 History of Design Criticism.
** Art History requirement: From the Graduate Seminars and additional courses in Art History, at least one course (3 credit hours) must be taken from the list of courses designated pre-1900 art history and at least one course (3 credit hours) designated 1900-1950s art history. A list of courses that satisfies this requirement is available from the Department of Art History, Theory, and Criticism every semester.
Application Process
Submit:
› Online application
› Official college transcripts
› Statement of purpose
› Letters of recommendation
› Critical writing sample
› Résumé
