The Department of Art History and Theory was founded in 1967 and for its first decade, the central discipline was the history of painting, sculpture and architecture of Europe (with some reference to Australia). Since then, the Department has responded to the radical transformations in the nature of art history itself and to the explosion of 'visual studies', taking in the areas of film, television, digital technology, photography, design, costume, style and cultural studies. The Department has also responded to its geographical and cultural location by introducing the study of Aboriginal Art. The Centre for Asian Art and Archaeology, headed by Professor John Clark, is home to postgraduate research in Asian art.

Coursework degrees in art history allow students to build up a thorough foundation in the discipline, as well as specialist expertise in particular areas of interest. Students chose individual units across the full spectrum of Western European, Australian, Asian and contemporary international art history and cinema studies. There is a strong emphasis on building advanced critical and communications skills. There are no core units, allowing students to build their own study pathways.

Drawing on the Department’s expertise across the spectrum of Asian and Western art and cinema studies, curatorship degrees address a perceived need among many industry professionals for curatorial training informed by a strong foundation in the history and criticism of the visual arts. A unique feature of Sydney’s program is the combination of both art history and film studies in a single department. This means that our students are thoroughly conversant with the curatorial challenges posed by new media and emerging artistic practices, including all forms of screen-based arts, from film and video to installation and digital art. Sydney University is also the only institution in Australia combining Art Curatorship and Museum Studies [link here to MS]. Our program works closely with Museum Studies to offer students expert professional training in museological issues relevant to all curators. A key feature of the Diploma and Masters in Art Curatorship is the Gallery Internship program, in which students undertake two project-based placements in art museums and galleries. This provides students with essential professional training and work experience that is often an invaluable first step in making contacts and building skills in the visual arts industry.

Art History graduates work in all areas of the visual arts industry, including galleries and museums, arts and film journalism, festivals and biennales, art education and administration.

The Art Curatorship program provides professional training for future curators throughout the art sector, from public art museums and galleries to community and contemporary art spaces, to the commercial art sector of galleries, dealers and auction houses. For those already working in the industry, there is an opportunity to enhance curatorial skills and knowledge or move into a new area of your current organisations' work. Art Curatorship can also function as a ‘career change’ degree for those currently working elsewhere who are interested in moving into the visual arts industry.

There are no compulsory units for art history students; students chose from a range of available departmental options.

Curatorship degrees are structured to introduce student to key issues and debates, develop curatorial skills, and provide hands-on industry training and professional mentoring. Some units are taught at the Art Gallery of New South Wales; others bring leading industry professionals in for guest lectures and seminars, or involve site visits to key arts organizations across the sector. In addition to the compulsory units, curatorship students complete their degree by chosing from a wide range of elective units in art history, art curatorship, film studies and museum studies.

Compulsory core units introduce issues and debates relevant to art curators today: Art and Curatorship; The Art Museum: Past, Present, Future. Certificate students must enrol in one; Diploma and Masters students must complete both cores.

All students are required to undertake at least one of the designated curatorial electives (they may chose more than one), which focus on essential curatorial skills and current concerns and challenges; these electives vary from year to year.

From 2010, Diploma and Masters students are required to undertake two internship placements (Gallery Internship 1, Gallery Internship 2). Students are assisted by an Internship Officer and gain essential professional experience and exposure across a range of visual art organisations.

Summary of structure of Art Curatorship degrees
Graduate Certificate: 1 core unit + 1 designated elective + 2 other units
Graduate Diploma: 2 core units + 1 designated elective + 2 Gallery Internship + 1 other units
Masters: 2 core units + 1 designated elective + 2 Gallery Internship + 3 other units