About Art History
Founded in 1946, LSU’s art history curriculum is among the finest and most comprehensive in the South and the largest public program of its kind in Louisiana. Students may pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) with a concentration in art history, a Master of Arts (MA) in Art History, or a minor in art history.
Research Opportunities
While completing his thesis on Walter Lewy (1905-95) and “Tropical Surrealism,” Glauco Adorno worked as a graduate assistant in art history and in the exhibitions department of the LSU Libraries’ Special Collections.
Faculty Work
Meet contemporary art history assistant professor Allison Young, a specialist in postcolonial and contemporary art of the Global South.
Favorite Professor
Art history professor Darius Spieth has been named LSU’s “Favorite Professor” in the Reveille The Mag’s “Best of Campus Guide” for three years in a row.
Bachelor of Arts in Art and Design with a Concentration in Art History
Students interested in pursuing a BA with a concentration in art history must be admitted to the College of Art & Design. Students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0; have completed ENGL 1001 with a “C” or better; and have completed three hours of General Education Analytical Reasoning coursework.
The art history curriculum begins with lecture offerings in art appreciation and western art history and courses on Near Eastern and Egyptian art, Greek and Roman art, Asian art, and 20th-century art. Questions about the undergraduate art history curriculum should be directed to Ludovico Geymonat, art history undergraduate advisor.
Master of Arts in Art History
The Master of Arts program in Art History prepares students for careers in both academia and the art world by providing exceptional grounding in art from globally diverse cultures and by encouraging students to explore a range of historical strategies, research techniques, and critical theories. We accommodate students seeking a terminal graduate degree and those who plan to continue to a PhD program at another institution. Our graduates enjoy positions in museums and galleries nationwide, and many have gone on to PhD programs in some of the nation’s highest ranked universities.
Art History Faculty
The art history faculty in the School of Art are highly trained scholars and leaders in their respective fields. Our faculty teach a broad spectrum of courses and specializations in ancient, medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, modern, and contemporary art, as well as American and Asian art, decorative arts and design, new media, and critical theory of art.
Ludovico Geymonat, Assistant Professor
Joe Givens, Instructor
William Ma, Assistant Professor
Darius Spieth, Professor
Carla White, Instructor
Allison Young, Assistant Professor
View all School of Art faculty.
Beyond the Classroom
Student Art History Association
The Student Art History Association (SAHA) is an informal, student-run organization open to LSU students interested in learning more about art.
Visiting Artists Program
Visiting artists and lecturers supplement faculty and expose students to a wide range of interests and focuses within the discipline of art.
Art & Design in Louisiana
The high ground above the Mississippi River is an environment where landscape, climate, history, and culture allow for a lifestyle that is uniquely suited to the artistic temperament.
Facilities & More
College Facilities
Students have access to a traditional wood-working shop; digital fabrication, photography, and lighting equipment; large-scale printers and scanners; an arboretum; a foundry; a motion capture studio; high-end work stations; and more.
Galleries
The School of Art hosts exhibitions throughout the year at its on- and off-campus galleries. Students have abundant opportunities to see and experience innovative work from a wide range of perspectives and social themes.
New Arts Building
Renovations to the Studio Arts Building are complete. The new Barnes Ogden Art & Design Complex is the gateway to the historic part of campus and will promote arts to the community and provide state-of-the-art facilities and studios for artists.