The art history program at the University of Richmond offers students the chance to explore the historical, social, and philosophical contexts of art, with courses covering both Western and non-Western traditions, as well as museum studies. Students are encouraged to study abroad, gaining firsthand experience with the cultures behind the art they study, while also developing a broader understanding of how different societies value art. A distinctive feature of the program is the opportunity to work on University Museums-sponsored exhibitions and complete a year-long senior thesis, culminating in a public presentation at the annual A&S Student Symposium.
Graduates of the program have gone on to diverse careers, from academia and museum work to positions in non-profit art organizations, auction houses, and galleries. Some have used their cross-cultural skills in roles with organizations like the Peace Corps, while others have pursued advanced degrees in fields such as international relations or law, demonstrating the versatility of the critical thinking skills gained through the study of art history.
The visual and media arts practice program at the University of Richmond educates both majors and non-majors on the significance of creative practice in contemporary and historical contexts. Through interdisciplinary approaches to traditional and modern media, the program fosters students’ creative and critical development.
Foundation courses and art history surveys prepare students for deeper engagement with various media, leading to individualized projects at higher levels. The capstone sequence, including the Interdisciplinary Arts Seminar, Advanced Studio Seminar, and Senior Thesis Exhibition, challenges students to develop and present a body of work for the Thesis Exhibition. Along the way, they gain valuable skills in documenting their work, writing artists’ statements, applying for grants, building professional resumes, and networking within the art world.
Renovated and expanded in 2018 and 2019, the Department of Art & Art History has one of the best-equipped spaces in the country for a University and program of its size. The area spaces for drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, film, sound, video, and animation are state of the art, as is the new art history seminar room and auditorium. Combined with the facilities of the University Museums, the department provides a fantastic environment for education in the visual arts..
The Visual Resource Center offers guidance on image searching, copyright, and usage, alongside access to global image collections, art-related news, reference books, and a DVD collection. Students also have access to ARTstor, a vast image database with over a million images, including 15,000 locally digitized collections, accessible both on and off-campus for study and presentations.
Art professor Jeremy Drummond brings world-class filmmakers to campus through his Frames of Reference film series.
Sandy Williams IV, assistant professor of art, was named a 2024 Joan Mitchell Fellow for their work in socially engaged sculpture and performance art.
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Sandy Williams IV, assistant professor of art, published “Dawould Bay: ‘Elegy’” in CAA.reviews, a review of the “Elegy” exhibition at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
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Tanja Softić, Tucker-Boatwright Professor of Art and Art History, exhibited in the print installation "When We Meet Again, You Will Not Know Me" in the exhibition Edge Effect at the Wurks Gallery as part of the 2024 Southern Graphics Council International Annual Conference.
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Jeremy Drummond, associate professor of art, presented his film “Dark Holler” as part of the exhibition What Does the Land Know?
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Art professor Sandy Williams IV is featured.
Art professor Sandy Williams IV is featured.
Art professor Sandy Williams IV is featured.
Art professor Sandy Williams IV is featured.
Mailing Address:
Department of Art and Art History
451 Keller Road
University of Richmond, VA 23173
Phone: (804) 289-8272
Interim Department Chair: Timothy Barney
Visual and Media Arts Practice Coordinator: Jeremy Drummond
Academic Administrative Specialist: Miriam Blackmon