The degree programs housed in the Department of Art & Music Histories emphasize interdisciplinarity and global perspectives at every level, from the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Art History, Fine Arts, History of Architecture, and Music History & Cultures to the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Art History.

We equip students to be globally engaged and intellectually enterprising professionals in the visual and performing arts, cultural heritage, and academic sectors.

Students matriculating Fall 2025 or earlier may pursue the Art History B.A., History of Architecture B.A. or Fine Arts B.A., as well as minors in Fine Arts, Art History and History of Architecture.

Students matriculating after Fall 2025 may pursue the Art History B.A. and History of Architecture B.A. together, as these programs are expected to merge into the Art and Architectural History B.A. [pending approval]. Likewise, the Art History minor and History of Architecture minor are expected to merge into the Art and Architectural History minor [pending approval].

Global and interdisciplinary curricula

Art & Music Histories offers courses covering global histories of art, architecture and music from antiquity to the present day. Our programs are structured in a way that enables you to explore the histories of art, architecture and/or music while also gaining hands-on experience in curatorial work, studio art and music performance. Students may also petition to take courses in different colleges and schools across the University.

Immersive, experience-led learning

Immersive, experience-led learning is at the heart of all of our programs in Art & Music Histories. On campus, faculty and students collaborate with the Syracuse University Art Museum and the Special Collections Research Center (including the Belfer Audio Laboratory and Archive) at Syracuse University Libraries. Within the local community, our partners include the Everson Museum of Art, Light Work and the Society for New Music, to name just a few.

Faculty regularly organize immersive learning experiences. Students regularly participate in field trips to art museums, archives and performing art organizations. Senior art history majors co-curate exhibitions and travel to New York City to network with curators and cultural heritage professionals, many of whom are alumni of our programs. Faculty also maintain active relationships with academic institutions and arts and organizations worldwide, bringing internationally renowned scholars and industry professionals to campus to work directly with students.

A network of active and engaged faculty, staff, and alumni

Art & Music Histories focuses on fostering emerging professionals in the visual and performing arts, cultural heritage and academic sectors. The courses you take, the immersive experiences you have during your time here, and above all the highly individualized professional mentorship you receive will prepare you for an array of engaging careers.

Alumni hold key positions in museums, galleries, archives, performing arts organizations and media companies. Others have gone on to prestigious graduate programs and have subsequently secured academic positions.

Global citizenship

Helping students become global citizens has long been an important part of what Art & Music Histories does. The department is home to the oldest M.A. art history program accredited in the United States where most of the study—two of three semesters—is conducted in Italy.

We also encourage undergraduate students to learn on location through Syracuse University Abroad, which hosts programs in more than sixty countries around the world. You can choose from semester, summer, short-term and year-long options. Majors in our department have frequently studied in Florence, Strasbourg and London.