Career Events and Career Planning

SMU Art History majors go on to careers in museums and galleries, as well as conservation, auction houses, art advisory and consulting, publishing, art law, cultural policy, architecture, urban design, teaching and non-profit management. Many recent SMU Art History undergraduates have gone on to graduate school at institutions such as Yale University, University of Pennsylvania and the University of Oxford. Learn more about some of our students’ graduate school journeys.

Every semester, the Art History Department hosts three Art History Career Events. These events are a great way to meet and get advice from a leading curator, gallery owner, architect, interior designer, conservator, art advisor, or other arts professional. At these free 1-hour events, our guest speaker describes their current job, their education and career path, how they prepared for their current position, their responsibilities and typical day, advice for students, and other insider behind-the-scenes tips. The second half of the event is dedicated to a Q&A with students, and the speaker stays for a brief period after the event to meet and mingle. So bring your questions and come ready to network!

Guest Speakers for Fall 2024 Career Events

  • Emily Summers, President and CEO of Emily Summers Design Associates
  • Kelly Cornell, Director, Dallas Art Fair
  • Fran Baas, Conservator, Dallas Museum of Art

It is never too soon to start thinking about your post-graduation career in Art History. Many entry-level positions, particularly in art museums, require internships or prior museum experience. There are several steps you can take to start planning your future after SMU.

First steps:

  • Meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Art History Department for advising related to internships, career options, graduate school applications, and more.
  • Make a Meadows Career Success Appointment (/meadows/alumni/students) to update your career materials (resume, LinkedIn profile, etc.), learn from a networking tutorial, and be matched with a Meadows Mentor, a successful SMU Meadows alum willing to provide industry-specific career guidance.
  • Make an appointment at the Hegi Family Career Development Center and view current internship postings on SMU 12twenty: /studentaffairs/hegi-career-center/career-development