Art history has long had an undeserved reputation as something for the privileged. However, in today’s increasingly visual world, it is more important than ever. From Instagram to advertising, Netflix to magazines, we absorb images often without giving any critical thought to what we are seeing. Studying art history shows us how to read images, to see critically and to learn more about the world and our place in it through the creations of previous decades and centuries.

“If you can read the world around you, you can change the world around you.” – Trevor Horsewood, Campaigns Manager, Association for Art History

There are countless museums and galleries across the UK that are free of charge, making artworks and history available to all. By studying art history you can become more engaged in the art world, whether you are learning for fun, want to pursue a career in art history, or want to inform your other studies. I often visit the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, a free museum exhibiting a wide range of objects, from Ancient Egyptian sarcophaguses to contemporary pottery.

The video below features Professor Abigail Harrison Moore, Professor Griselda Pollock and students from schools in the Leeds area talking about the appeal of art history and its importance in today’s world.

Studying art history gives you valuable critical thinking skills that are vital to many careers, whether you are looking to work in history, law, creative writing or the visual arts.

If you want to learn more about how studying art history can help you achieve your career goals, read Professor Abigail Harrison Moore’s blog post: “An A level in art history can open up many possibilities”.

To find out more about our A level History of Art course, visit the course page.