Sophomore Lauren Miller has always enjoyed art and going to museums. But it wasn’t until she came to Baker University and took an art history class that she really fell in love with it.
“I just didn’t know much about art or art history,” Miller said.
And while Miller isn’t sure what she will do with her intended art history major after she graduates, the opportunities are endless, Assistant Professor of Art Brett Knappe said.
“With an art history major … you can usually get work just working in galleries,” Knappe said. “And the great thing about that, is every city has galleries. As long as you want to live in a medium to large size city, you could work in a gallery … And art conservation is a growing field. Everything is getting old, and it’s a really big field.”
Students at Baker who are interested in art can major in studio art, art history or art education.
Art Department Chair Lee Mann encourages students who might be interested in those majors, especially studio art, to pursue some sort of graduate school after they earn their bachelor’s degree from Baker.
“Here we’ve got just the basics in studio art and art history,” Mann said. “A bachelor’s degree from a liberal arts college, in just about any area of art, is going to require you to go on and get a graduate degree. And usually when you go on to graduate school, then you do a focused specialty.”
Miller isn’t sure what she will do after graduation, but she hasn’t ruled graduate school out yet.
“I’m not exactly sure what I’m going to do after (graduation), so graduate school is a possibility,” Miller said.
But some jobs do not require students to go to graduate school.
If graduates are interested in owning their own art gallery, become a jewelry maker or want to be a freelance photographer, graduate school isn’t as vital.
“It all just depends on your level of expertise and motivation,” Mann said. “It’s very, very, very individual.”