Pursuing my MA in Art History at Carleton University opened up so many doors for academic and professional advancement. Carleton offered relevant and engaging coursework, valuable networking opportunities, academic mentorship, and a supportive community. The practicum program was especially useful in connecting me with institutions in Ottawa. These networking opportunities were critical in developing my resume and building professional relationships.
After graduating, I worked at the National Gallery of Canada in the Technical Services, Collections Management, and Conservation departments. I then worked as a Program Officer for the Canada Travelling Exhibitions Indemnification Program with the Department of Canadian Heritage. Afterwards, I moved to Vancouver to take a position as a Registrar at the Vancouver Art Gallery and then worked as the Registrar for the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at UBC. I am pleased to say that I am now working at the Art Gallery of Ontario as a Project Manager of Exhibitions.
As a PM at the AGO, I develop strategies, budgets, and schedules to lead the production of multiple exhibitions from conception to realization. I work closely with curatorial, design, registration, interpretive planning, marketing, visitor services, and logistics to facilitate workflow and ensure milestones are met. I coordinate with departments across the gallery and liaise with artists and partnering institutions to ensure the highest quality presentations that reflect the AGO’s mission, vision, and values. My studies in Art History helped to equip me with the tools I need to succeed in my current role and I am very proud to be a Carleton alumnus.
Kristyn Rolanty
MA in Art History
While a student at Carleton University, I had the privilege of working at the Carleton University Art Gallery for the wonderful Sandra Dyck. I credit not only my time in the Art History program as inspiration for my career choice, but my experience working at the gallery. It opened doors to me—both inspirationally and professionally. I am currently the Associate Curator/Curator of the Thomas Bouckley Collection at The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) in Oshawa, Ontario, where I’ve worked since 2008. In 2012, I was a Curatorial Consultant for the Lindsay Gallery, advising them on best practices for collections management and copyright. Prior to the RMG I worked for a private art dealer in Toronto, as well as the Canadian Heritage Information Network. Following the completion of my Honours BA at Carleton University (2000-2004), I completed a post-graduate certificate in Museum Management and Curatorship at Fleming College (2005-2006). To date, I have curated over 35 exhibitions, included the travelling exhibitions The lingering: Toni Hamel and Jay Dart: Greetings from Yawnder! (upcoming).
Sonya Jones
Honours BA Art History
As a government records archivist working at Library and Archives Canada (LAC), I regularly use the skills that I developed and honed as a graduate student of the art history program at Carleton University, including critical thinking, research abilities and communication skills. My interest in archival work began when I decided to conduct my MA thesis research on an important photographic collection housed at LAC – the Topley Studio fonds. Thanks to my supervisor, Dr. Carol Payne, I was placed in the institution as a practicum student to add and enhance descriptive records of photographs in the database. During this practicum, I learned how to properly handle and describe photographic material, including glass plate and nitrate negatives. I also developed my knowledge of archival theories and principals at this time. This practicum eventually led to a job offer as an archivist upon graduation, which I gladly accepted! I am currently co-responsible for government photographic collections at LAC and am continually learning more about the appraisal, arrangement, description and preservation of archival photographs.
Emma Hamilton-Hobbs
MA in Art History
I came into Carleton’s Masters of Art History Program already having worked within public institutions and organizations in the Toronto area for over two years. Carleton University was the perfect place to pursue my studies. The location and reputation of the school permitted for internship opportunities in the National arts institutions. I am also pleased to have been the first Masters student to have graduated from the coursework stream, which was introduced in 2011. Looking to continue my career within the realm of Collections Management, I wanted my knowledge base to remain diverse: spanning across topics in Historical and Contemporary Canadian Art. The breadth of knowledge that I gained at Carleton is invaluable to my job.
Erin Rutherford
MA in Art History
Erin Rutherford, Collection Development Librarian, Edward P. Taylor Library & Archives, Art Gallery of Ontario
I chose to study in Ottawa because of the access to great collections like the National Gallery, and I chose Carleton because of its warm and welcoming atmosphere. The Art History program at Carleton is more than just a faculty, it’s a community. St. Pat’s building became my home away from home during my four years of study, and it was hard to say goodbye! The small size of the program means that you quickly get to know your Professors and they play a very active role in your academic development. The fourth-year practicum program gave me a chance to get my foot in the door working at SAW Gallery, and see first hand the application of an art history education. The variety of classes Carleton offers allowed me to pursue my own interests, and challenge myself by enrolling in BA classes that were mixed with MA students. This exposure to MA-level learning prepared me for my current role as an MA candidate at The Courtauld Institute of Art in London, England. As I embark on this next step, I’m proud to say I graduated from Carleton, and confident that my years there have given me all the tools I need to succeed in the future!
Virginia Carney
Honours BA Art History, Carleton University.
MA Art History Candidate, Courtauld Institute of Art
Moving to Ottawa from the East Coast was a big change, but it opened the door for many enriching and amazing educational and personal experiences. In the summer of 2012 I had the opportunity to become a summer guide on Parliament Hill. As a guide, I welcomed visitors, interpreted information and led groups of the general public through the building. Prior to working as a Parliamentary guide, I worked overseas, in France, as a Guide as well.
These experiences guiding allowed for exposure to many groups of varying cultures and backgrounds, which helped solidify my ability to interpret and disseminate information clearly and concisely. This led to a deep appreciation of art and architecture, which has grown exponentially as my education has exposed me to more and more in those fields. When I discovered Carleton’s Art History program, I was fascinated to find a program that covered my interests and seemed almost catered to them. This type of program is not available in the Maritimes, and once I started classes I absolutely fell in love with program and with the curriculum. An aspect that I find particularly rewarding is the opportunity to combine my personal knowledge and experience with skills and knowledge learned in the program. I apply subject matter covered in class to my job as a Guide, and I have learned to see the art and architecture in a whole new light. The intimate structure of the program allowed me to create meaningful relationships with the professors. Their guidance has helped me to explore all of the potential career paths in the Art History field. I don’t think that my academic and personal experiences would be anywhere as rewarding or even possible in another city or at a different institution.
Rebecca Muise
3rd year Honours B.A. in Art History
Upon transferring to Carleton in 2011, my academic and personal life flourished. Art history students at Carleton become a close-knit and supportive community, and the department is full of engaging and inspiring professors who challenge their students to think critically about what they are learning and encourage new ways of understanding works of art. Courses available in art history are also very wide-ranging, so there is a lot of flexibility to pursue a preferred area of interest.
In my own undergraduate experience, I am a huge advocate of art history’s practicum program. As an aspiring art librarian, I had the opportunity to intern at the library and archives of the National Gallery of Canada and at Carleton’s MacOdrum Library. The practical and professional practice I gained during these placements, complemented by a breadth of coursework and seminars, prepared me for my current position as Library Clerk at the Banff Centre Art Library & Archives. The Banff Centre is an internationally renowned institution and the collection housed at the library is quite extensive. The knowledge and experience I gained at Carleton has been invaluable in many of my current duties, such as helping artists or musicians find materials for their projects or engaging with the collection to create weekly themed displays for the public to enjoy. Each day I am learning something new about the artists in residence at the Banff Centre, and mapping connections with what I learned when I was at Carleton. Carleton’s Art History program enriched my passion for the field, helped me attain my current position at the Banff Centre, and will allow me to pursue in the near future a Masters in Library Science.
Jenna Dufour
BA (Hons.) Art History, 2013
Library Clerk, Paul D. Fleck Library & Archives, The Banff Centre
As Interim Manager of ART Rental and Sales at the Ottawa Art Gallery I am in constant contact with emerging and well-established contemporary artists in the Ottawa community. I enjoy researching the local arts scene, executing programming such as exhibitions and artists talks, and being involved in the formation of strong communal relationships. I am passionate about developing a career in the arts, and my studies at Carleton University equipped me with the tools I needed to make this important first step. The faculty and staff of the Art History Department were personable and supportive, as well as valuable resources for information and education. My peers were both inspiring scholars and good friends. I was encouraged to extend my research beyond the campus library and engage with the wealth of local and national institutions existing in Ottawa. I sourced material in the National Gallery of Canada archives, handled and examined Aboriginal artifacts at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, toured significant architectural buildings, and visited local galleries. I was able to do my practicum at the Carleton University Art Gallery on campus where I presented my research findings to director Sandra Dyck to be used as support material for exhibitions and publications while engaging with the invaluable permanent collection. The quality of the exhibitions at CUAG stimulated my research interests and my admiration for gallery practices and the professionals working there. I gained additional practical experience in my Museum Studies course when our class traveled to the Guggenheim in New York to study exhibition programming and design. The theoretical and practical skills I developed throughout my studies at Carleton have prepared me for the job I currently hold at the Ottawa Art Gallery, where I am constantly engaging, supporting and promoting the vibrant local arts community that I have come to love.
Rebecca Basciano
M.A., Art History, 2013
From the moment I began my studies at Carleton I felt I was a part of a community. Having previously studied at other institutions I can say it is a feeling not easily reproduced. I previously worked as a picture framer for several years, and while backpacking through Europe I was further drawn to art and its history, and that passion drew me to Carleton. With small classes that create a personal setting and professors that show an interest in their pupils and their progress, students find success and have fun doing so. Most recently I was able to assist Dr. Brian Foss on an upcoming exhibition for the Beaver Hall artists’ group of Montreal for the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, gaining research skills useful towards my degree and professional career.
Dan Cairns
Undergraduate student, B.A. in Art History
I undertook my M.A. at Carleton University for the faculty expertise, academic resources, and professional opportunities it offered in the study of Canadian art history. The faculty display an especially strong track record in this area of scholarship. Together with senior peers in the program, my professors provided the direction and instilled the confidence I needed to pursue professional networking, publishing opportunities, and academic conferences while still a graduate student. Situated as they are in the nation’s capital, Carleton students are, at most, a short ride away from rich troves of primary source material at Library and Archives Canada, the National Gallery of Canada, and a range of other significant national museums, art institutions, libraries, and archives. Ottawa lies along the major corridor between Toronto and Montreal. Its proximity to these centres ensures that the resources available in both are also quite accessible. In my first year at Carleton, I had a practicum placement with Curatorial Services at the House of Commons, an occasion that gave me access to the material that would lead to the original research I undertook for my master’s thesis. As a teaching assistant, I gained invaluable experience in communicating and discussing ideas with undergraduate students. I mounted my first exhibition as a research assistant at the Carleton University Art Gallery, undoubtedly one of Canada’s best university galleries. This chance provided me with a vital boost into the curatorial profession.
Andrew Kear
M.A., Art History, 2004
Curator of Historical Canadian Art, Winnipeg Art Gallery
When studying art history at Carleton, the fourth floor of the St Patrick’s Building – where the department is located – becomes your home, and I could not have asked for a better one. I felt welcome the first day and have felt the same thing every day since. From Diane in the Audio-Visual Resource Centre who helps you navigate the photocopiers, to the professors who lead and guide you through your degree, you are supported on all sides by people who care about you and your experience at Carleton. Because of the small size of the program I was quickly on a first-name basis with my professors, and the array of courses has allowed me to tailor my degree to my particular interests. Don’t overlook the practicum program, which offers opportunities to work at art institutions throughout Ottawa. The art history program at Carleton is not to be missed!”
Amy Johnston
Honours B.A., Art History, Carleton University, M.A. candidate
I chose to come to Carleton specifically for the B.A. Honours History and Theory of Architecture program. I was enticed by the unique opportunity to complete a degree that includes courses offered both by the Art History department and the School of Architecture. This multi-disciplinary approach has exposed me to a wide variety of views and approaches for analyzing the built environment, considering historical and critical aspects alike, and has left all doors open to me as I move forward. The opportunity to undertake independent research in my area of interest, through my Honours Research Essay, has allowed me to take responsibility for my own learning. The self-motivation and independence I have enjoyed as a fourth-year student have made me confident that I am prepared to continue my studies at the Masters level. And completing a practicum placement in the heritage field opened my eyes to the wide variety of professional opportunities available to someone with such a distinctive degree. My professors’ enthusiasm in seeing me succeed has been inspiring, and their availability for one-on-one consultation has made them not just professors but also trusted mentors.
Hilary Grant
B.A. History and Theory of Architecture, Winner: 2012 Martin Eli Weil Prize for best architectural history essay in Canada, Master of Arts candidate, Cambridge University.
As an undergraduate student in Art History I found Carleton a warm and welcoming place. I loved having classes in the St Patrick’s Building, loved the underground tunnels on those cold, icy Ottawa days, loved how organized the university was in its registration system for classes and its generosity with scholarships. During my third year I had the opportunity to go on an international exchange, to the University of Edinburgh, and will always be grateful to Carleton’s keen staff at its International Office for inspiring students to study abroad. I grew so much during my undergraduate years, personally and academically, and have Carleton and its excellent Art History faculty to thank for that!
Tania Anne Woloshyn
B.A. Honours, Art History, 2002
Post-Doctoral Fellow, Department of Art History & Communication Studies
McGill University
I am extremely glad to have chosen Carleton University for my MA program. I’m originally from Western Canada and deciding to move to Ottawa was one of the major decisions in my life thus far. I have no regrets! The program has provided me with not only strong intellectual foundations and professional opportunities, but also great friends and memories. My coursework and thesis process challenged me intellectually, while the wonderful practicum program allowed me to apply the theories I learned to experiences that will be invaluable to my career. The faculty members are immensely supportive, and the close-knit community I developed with my fellow students will no doubt be the foundation for life-long friendships.
Erin Macnab
M.A., Art History, 2011
A few days after accepting an offer of admission from Carleton’s Art History MA program, I received a welcoming e-mail from my future thesis supervisor. His warmth and enthusiasm assured me that I would be entering an academic environment that values its young scholars and creates unique opportunities for their success. Now, as a graduate of the program, I realize that this first impression was a very accurate one. During my time at Carleton, I participated in and pursued projects that I am certain would not have been possible without the continuous encouragement of the department’s faculty members and the flexible structure of the program itself. By allowing each individual student to forge his or her own path of study, the Art History program enabled me to travel both physically and intellectually to new, sometimes intimidating, but always illuminating destinations. Participation in the practicum program gave me the chance to work with respected scholars and curators at the Canadian War Museum, and the generous funding opportunities offered by the department took me all the way to Germany. Thanks to the Art History program, I now venture confidently onto further graduate study, but will always look back on my time in the program with great fondness and deep appreciation.
Hayley Chown
M.A. in Art History 2010, Teacher Candidate OISE
I first came to Carleton University because it offered a qualifying-year program and was close to my hometown of Montreal. After marinating a few years in fine arts programs elsewhere, I returned to Ottawa to complete my undergrad degree. Carleton’s Art History program gave me many opportunities to figure out what I wanted to do, including a practicum at the National Gallery of Canada, a little archaeology and forensic anthropology at Caesarea in Israel, and self-directed study in London thanks to a scholarship. Art History at Carleton helped me decide to become a museum curator.
I never became a museum curator.
I landed in technology instead. Over the past 15 years I’ve worked as a user experience designer focusing on products that help people create, maintain and grow relationships with others. For the last three years I’ve been doing that at Twitter. In fact I’m doing what I’d hoped to do as a museum curator. Through Twitter I help bring people together, generate discussion and debate, and see the world a little bit differently. Through Twitter I am changing the world in my own small way.
I could not have segued between careers without the solid liberal arts training I received from the Art History faculty at Carleton. While I rarely – OK never – have the opportunity to discuss the architectural plans of Byzantine churches with my colleagues, every day I synthesize seemingly disparate facts and data points in order to come up with coherent design directions. Curiosity and persistence got me pretty far, but I got much farther with the critical thinking skills I honed at Carleton.
Nancy Broden, Honours B.A., Art History, 1991
I applied to the Carleton’s M.A. in Canadian Art History for three reasons. The first was faculty; the second was the wealth of primary archival material and sources in Ottawa; and third was the program’s Practicum component. The combination of these three elements put Carleton at the top of my list of possible graduate schools. I found the faculty to be a most cohesive and supportive body and our relatively small class size was also of great benefit. An important facet of my Carleton experience was the particular shape of our class, from recent undergraduates to professionals already working in the field; this blend made for stimulating discussion and exchange. As for access to the extensive archival holdings the city has to offer: a student’s capacity to explore and mine a range of primary documents is invaluable to their developing research abilities and the Carleton program designs its courses with a view to developing these skills. In this sense, Carleton can’t be matched.
Tobi Bruce
M.A., Art History, 1999
Senior Curator, Canadian Historical Art, Art Gallery of Hamilton
Carleton’s Art History M.A. program is an ideal choice for anyone seeking experience both in the classroom and in the museums field. It offers small seminar courses and hands-on professional opportunities. Ottawa is home to some of the nation’s largest and most important cultural institutions, and the practicum component of the degree program gave me insight into museum practice in ways that I couldn’t have accessed through coursework alone. My professors were inspiring and incredibly supportive, and my thesis project allowed me to develop and hone my research and writing skills while exploring my topic under the guidance of experts. Best of all, Carleton’s program gave me the confidence I needed to pursue my passions.
Julia Lum
M.A., Art History, 2009,
PhD Candidate, Yale University
My experience doing my Master’s degree at Carleton was really positive in several ways. All the professors were readily available to consult with about projects or ideas. Classes were small and so all the students got to know each other well in settings that enabled strong discussions. My practicum at the City of Ottawa Public Art Program helped me make contacts within the local arts community, indirectly leading to my placement as a summer student at the Ottawa Art Gallery, which in turn led to my current position at that gallery. The training that I received at Carleton helps on a daily basis in terms of developing themes, theories and research methods for the exhibitions I to organize there.
Catherine Sinclair
B.Hum, College of Humanities, 2001; M.A., Art History, 2005
Curator, Firestone Collection, Ottawa Art Gallery
I look back at my time at Carleton University with much fondness. As a graduate of the both B.A. and M.A. Art History programs, I have taken away with me great memories, lifelong friends and strong professional associations. Positioned in the nation’s capital, the M.A. program provided me with ample opportunity to apply the strong theoretical basis learned in the classroom through practical experiences that have proved invaluable to my past and current places of work. Each year I look forward to returning to campus to attend the excellent programming at the Carleton University Art Gallery and the stimulating talks held regularly within the Art History department. Carleton University remains part of my extended family.”
Linda Grussani
B.A. Hons, Art History, 1999; M.A., Art History, 2003
Director, Aboriginal Art Centre, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
PhD Student, Queen’s University
My decision to pursue an M.A. in Art History at Carleton was, without doubt, one of the best of my life. In addition to studying with leading scholars and gaining hands-on experience through practicum placements, I benefitted immensely from the collegial environment fostered by the department. Professors from diverse areas of expertise took an interest in each student and provided unique opportunities for us to learn and grow both personally and professionally. The exceptional training and support I received at Carleton made it possible for me to undertake a Ph.D. in History of Art and Architecture at Harvard. After completing my doctoral coursework and general examinations, I welcomed the chance to return to Carleton to offer courses on African art and curate an exhibition of African textiles for the Carleton University Art Gallery. It’s a great privilege to be associated with the department – I continue to be inspired by the scholarship, generosity and commitment of its extraordinary faculty and students.
Catherine Hale
M.A., Art History, 2006
PhD candidate, Harvard University
I would recommend Carleton’s M.A. in art history to students interested in complementing their academic pursuits with practical work experience. I feel fortunate to have had opportunities to put my degree “to work”, through both practicum placements and employment at the Canadian Museum of Civilization.
Our excellent professors provided great guidance and support over both years of the program and beyond. I have also made lasting friendships with my classmates in both cohorts. The opportunities I’ve been given at Carleton have left me feeling more confident to pursue further graduate work in my field of study. The academic support, thesis research and employment experience I’ve gained through my years at Carleton have prepared me to undertake my Ph.D in Canadian Studies at the University of Edinburgh, beginning in September, 2011.
Kaitlin McCormick
M.A., Art History, 2010,
PhD candidate, St. Andrew’s University (Scotland)
Pursuing a graduate degree in the School for Studies in Art and Culture was immensely beneficial for my career. I would not be where I am now were it not for Carleton’s M.A. program in Art History. The team teaching and the integration of critical theory with art historical practice made for a stimulating and enriching in-class experience. The professors were approachable and encouraging, and continued to be mentors after my studies were completed. Opportunities to interact with professionals outside the department – from curators to archivists, stonemasons to public artists – broadened my sense of the field. We were encouraged, or rather required, to utilize primary and secondary resources that were readily available both on- and off-campus. Looking back at my notes for the required first-year course I see that on just the second day we were given instructions on how to register at Library and Archives Canada and the hours of operation for the National Gallery of Canada Library and Archives. The program opened up research possibilities for me that I continue to mine today. Lastly, the proximity of the Carleton University Art Gallery, right there in the same building, played an important role in my professional development and underscored my conviction of the vital connection between scholarly study and the actual art object.”
Alicia Boutilier
M.A., Art History, 1998
Curator of Canadian Historical Art
Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University
My Carleton Art History program was a fantastic experience. I had the benefit of being supervised by Dr Ruth Phillips, an internationally acclaimed scholar whose editorial acumen, depth of knowledge and sage advice were essential to my thesis work. I have since published two essays based on my thesis, in two major museum publications: a catalogue from the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts and a book from the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Another highlight of my M.A. was my practicum experience at the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, where I worked to develop a self-guided tour for one of the museum’s exhibitions. That practicum led, directly but serendipitously, to my employment at the National Gallery of Canada, where I worked as a curatorial assistant under Charles Hill, Curator of Historical Canadian Art, on the exhibition Group of Seven: Art for a Nation, conducting primary research, managing loans and assisting with preparing material for the exhibition catalogue. The content of the exhibition dovetailed perfectly with my thesis research, allowing me firsthand access to primary research materials at the National Gallery and other cultural institutions in Ottawa, including Library and Archives Canada.”
Sandra Dyck
Director, Carleton University Art Gallery
Art History’s B.A. and M.A. programs gave me a range of academic opportunities that have provided me with a strong foundation for research, curatorial and teaching opportunities. Through the practicum opportunity I was able to work with leading curators at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and the National Gallery of Canada, gaining an excellent introduction to museum work and career possibilities. Carleton’s proximity to institutions such as Library and Archives Canada enabled me to pursue rich avenues of research in historical documents. During my M.A., teaching and research assistantships gave me valuable teaching and research experience. My professors also provided guidance in preparing successful scholarship applications.
Anne de Stecher
PhD, Cultural Mediations, Carleton University
Photo Credit: National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa.
Carleton’s Art History M.A. program provided me with research training, teaching experience and, most importantly, direct contact with professionals working in the federal cultural institutions that hold the most important collections of art and archival material in this country. Following the completion of my degree, these skills helped me to win a fellowship at the National Gallery of Canada, and to teach part-time at Carleton, at Queen’s University in Kingston, and at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax. The graduate program’s emphasis on theory and primary research were instrumental in giving me a solid foundation for museum work, and both of these approaches continue to inform my work as a curator at the Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography.
Andrea Kunard
Associate Curator, Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography, Ottawa
“Carleton University’s Art History M.A. program has offered me a warm, welcoming and open environment that has allowed me to experiment and grow as a student, and has given me the opportunity to work with original prints being housed in the Carleton University Art Gallery. The faculty members are open-minded, curious, and excited about projects even when those projects may not pertain to their own areas of study. With the faculty’s encouragement I’ve been able to be adventurous in my research, and I remain convinced that I would not have experienced the same openness and enthusiasm in any other Art History department. Further, the ongoing donation to the Carleton University Art Gallery of French prints from the late seventeenth to the nineteenth centuries, has allowed my professors to incorporate these objects into their lectures. Coming out of Carleton’s Art History program, I have already had the opportunity to touch, examine and work with primary objects on a regular basis.
Kathryn Desplanque
M.A. in Art History: Art and its Institutions, 2011,
PhD Candidate, Duke University
I enrolled at Carleton intending to take a degree in Political Science or History, but when I took the art history introductory survey course I was converted into an Art History student. My classes were both challenging and fun, while the program’s many opportunities to study outside of the classroom gave me first-hand experience with works of art that until then I’d only experienced in reproduction. I learned to combine my love of art and my love of history, and eventually this led to a career with the Picture Division at the National Archives: a career choice I’ve never regretted! When I decided in the 1970s that I wanted to pursue graduate work in Canadian art there were no Canadian universities offering a Master’s level degree in the subject. Through the Institute of Canadian Studies, however, I was able to pursue a graduate degree that focused on Canadian art. Even after I began working full-time, Carleton offered me a home away from home to write and study, with colleagues who boosted my spirits and cheered my efforts. I deeply enjoyed my graduate years at Carleton, so much so that I helped develop the Art History practicum program, and I’ve been associated with the University ever since. Carleton’s Art History program is second to none, and its growth and development is a source of pride to me.
Jim Burant
Senior Archivist, Art & Photography Archives,
Library & Archives Canada
My initial interest in Carleton’s M.A. in Art History was due to the program offering strong interdisciplinary possibilities – something that is key to a graduate degree in art and culture. The faculty members encouraged me to pursue my interests in cultural studies and women’s studies, which I then applied to research and learning opportunities that exist in many of Ottawa’s national cultural institutions. The solid learning experiences that I received have allowed me to pursue curatorial experiences both in New York and in Canada, and eventually led to doing doctoral work with internationally acclaimed scholars. As a current Lecturer in the department, I continue to be impressed with how Carleton Art History maintains its enthusiasm for teaching and provides a strong and supportive learning environment; the intellectual curiosity of the faculty is contagious.
Cindy Stelmackowich
M.A., Art History, 1995
Lecturer and Curator
I recall my years in the Art History Department (as it was then known) – 1969 to 1972 – with great fondness. It had been established for only a year or two, with a handful of faculty. Class sizes were small, with upper-level seminars often numbering no more than five. I so well remember rigorous discussion both inside and outside the classroom; the scholarly solidarity felt by our core group of students; and the dedication of several of our professors. I think we were a lucky bunch: they led us on study trips regularly to major collections in New York, Boston, Washington and elsewhere, often arranging special meetings with curators. These were extracurricular activities, arranged at low cost through much dedication by faculty. How could I ever forget the one-time six-week summer course singlehandedly organized for six of us by Dr. Clifford Brown, following France’s pilgrimage roads to study Romanesque architecture! The solid grounding I received in Carleton’s B.A. program prepared me well for graduate school, and the intellectual curiosity it nurtured in me for works of art, art galleries and international travel has guided my career ever since.
Janet M. Brooke
Director, Agnes Etherington Art Centre, Queen’s University
The decisive factor for me choosing to enroll in Carleton University’s M.A. in art history was the fact that Ottawa, being the nation’s capital, is also home to many of the country’s premier art galleries and museums. For a student, these resources were invaluable, and one of the advantages of Carleton’s program was that I was able to do an internship at the National Gallery of Canada. Carleton’s art history program also gave me the opportunity to learn from some of Canada’s best-known scholars: individuals whose reputation extended beyond Canada’s borders. The people I met as a student continue to be a large part of both my professional and private life. I am very proud of my colleagues and know that while I attended Carleton, I was among some of the brightest and the best in the field.
Michelle McGeough
Assistant Curator, Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian,
Institute of American Indian Art, Santa Fe, New Mexico
As a B.A. student my passion for art history was born in Italy but nurtured by Carleton faculty members who were both great teachers and publishing scholars. They combined stimulating lectures with annual trips to museums and galleries in places like New York and Washington, in the process instilling in me a love of looking at buildings and objects. I still remember the first time I was allowed to hold a medieval manuscript in my own hands, on a Carleton trip to the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore. It was an unforgettable moment, and I knew then what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
Dr John Osborne
Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Carleton University
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