Art history is, unsurprisingly, the study of the history of art. It’s also a popular college major offered by nearly every university. Despite the popularity of art history at the collegiate level, very few high school students have access to studying art history beyond a course or two (if that, even) in high school. This leaves students in a tough position — how do you differentiate yourself from other applicants when there won’t be much on your transcript to show your interest in art history?
This is where extracurriculars come in, and why they are so important. What you choose to do outside of the classroom will have a huge impact on your application, so picking the right activities to spend your time on outside of school is crucial. Below, we’ve shared the four extracurriculars you need to be doing if you want to study art history in college.
If you’re preparing to apply to college but aren’t sure how to position your application, send us an email. We help students get into their dream schools from choosing the right extracurriculars to writing killer essays.
Find an Internship
One of the most important things you can do in your time outside of school, whether during the school year or over summer break, is to get an internship. Look for opportunities to study, interact with, and handle art at local galleries, museums, and auction houses. Don’t stress too much about the type of art at first, and you should expect to spend a fair bit of time behind a desk, because you are still in high school, after all. There may also be opportunities for a full-blown seasonal job with a museum or art-related historic site, like a house museum.
Finally, you should know that while we are listing this one first because it is so important, you should definitely bulk out your resume with some of the activities below before applying for positions. Showing previous experience engaging with the arts outside of a classroom will strengthen your application for any internship or job opportunity.
Join the Literary and Arts Magazine
If your school has a literary and arts magazine, you need to join it now. Submit writing, join the editorial team, and read past issues. Being part of a literary and arts magazine will give you an opportunity to practice writing about art, which will come in handy when you have to write about art in college for a grade. It will also help you develop your eye and hone your taste, focusing you in on what you are drawn to and why you find it interesting, arresting, or beautiful. And if your school doesn’t have a literary and arts magazine — start one!
Write for the School Newspaper
You should also pitch an arts column or section to your school newspaper that covers current art events, like exhibitions and shows, in your area. If there aren’t museums or galleries near you (and there probably are at least a few small ones), there may be shows at your local library or community center. Like writing for the Literary and Arts Magazine, this will empower you to develop your writing skills but with more of a current events perspective. You could also do interviews with local artists including teachers and fellow students.
Take a Summer or Online Course
Many high schools only have one or, at best, two art history classes — if they offer any at all. As we’ve said, this makes it hard to show what you’re passionate about on your transcript. Taking summer courses or online classes in art history is a way to augment, albeit unofficially, your transcript and sidestep the lack of courses available on offer at your school. Look into course opportunities at your local community college, an online course, or a summer program for high schoolers at an accessible university. When choosing a course, take advantage of the opportunity to dig into a style, period, or specific artist you care about.
Chances are, you probably don’t have many opportunities to study art history at your high school, so investing time in extracurriculars that build your interests is critical to strengthening your application.
If you’re not sure where to start, send us an email. We help students craft applications that lead them to their dream colleges and universities.