New BFA in Art History, Theory, and Criticism

January 13th, 2012 12:00AM

École Parsons à Paris is pleased to announce our newly established BFA in Art History, Theory, and Criticism that will be led by Dr. Vivian Rehberg.

In the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Art History, Theory, and Criticism students will explore the historically-grounded connections between global developments in artistic production and reception, critical theory, and their own art practice.

Interdisciplinary in nature and structure, this new BFA will conceive of the studio and the classroom as complementary spaces for creative expression, embracing the interaction of studio practice and academic work, and emphasizing the inherent inventiveness of all research in the visual arts. Emphasis will be placed on traditional studies in world art history with a special focus on modern and contemporary art and on art writing. Studio classes in art and design disciplines spotlight traditional techniques and skills, but are also informed by more current and experimental approaches to a wide range of media.

Students will benefit from the exceptional resources for art historical studies available in Paris museum collections, vast network of art galleries, publishers and research centers further afield in Europe, as well as our established partnerships with local French institutions, such as the Bibliothèque Kandinsky and the Bibliothèque des Arts Décoratifs as well as the Research Center of the Chateau de Versailles and the Université de Paris 1 Panthéon – Sorbonne.

Upon completion of this program students will be prepared to enter graduate level study in art history, theory and criticism, curatorial and museum studies, studio art, and liberal arts disciplines, as well as go on to careers in museums and galleries, private foundations, magazines and publishing companies, arts and other non-profit organizations or governmental agencies.

Dr. Vivian Rehberg is an art historian and critic who has served as Chair of Critical Studies at École Parsons à Paris for the last 5 years.