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Art Historian - Personal requirements

Toi Tumu Kōrero

Skills & knowledge

Art historians need to have:
  • knowledge of the history of art, and past and present theories of art
  • knowledge of national history
  • knowledge of galleries and how they work
  • skill in analysing and evaluating art
  • sound research and report-writing skills
  • good people and communication skills
  • teaching skills.
Foreign language skills can also be helpful.

 

Leoni Schmidt, Professor Art History

"A lot of different skills go into being an art historian – looking, writing, communicating with people, and having an understanding of history."

Leoni Schmidt - Professor Art History

 

Personal Qualities

Art historians need to be:
  • enquiring and accurate, with an eye for detail
  • patient and persistent
  • able to make good judgements.
It is important for art historians to have an awareness and understanding of different cultures and the ability to deal with a wide range of people.

 

Physical Requirements

Good eyesight is an advantage for art historians, and they should have normal colour vision. Art historians also need to be reasonably fit, as some of the artworks they deal with can be heavy.

 

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Updated June 2009
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