Who else has a degree in Art History? If so what do you teach?

[Minnieisthedevilmouse]

This has been grating me for a while, I'd like alternative experiences please. I telephoned the help line recently to enquire what I can teach with my degree as I'm considering a career change. The (idiot) man on the phone said art. Bit surprised I asked if anything else. He said nope. Just art.

My degree does NOT qualify me to teach drawing or painting or sculpture. It didn't teach me to draw. It's not an art degree. It's art history! Sorry he really wound me up.

So, if you have my degree, what do you teach please? (I was hoping for history...)

[Guilianna]

Primary. I also tutor Art GCSE but have a fine art background as well.

[TheCheeseAlarm]

I teach Primary - my specialism is Maths and I'm English Lead at the moment. I started as History lead if that helps!

[TheFallenMadonna]

If you want to teach secondary, you need to demonstrate that 50% of your degree relates to the content of the subject you want to teach. What do you want to teach?

Art history wouldn't necessarily meet the requirements for Art and Design in fact...

[TheFallenMadonna]

Ah. Now seen your last sentence! Have you checked the requirements of local history PGCE providers?

[Minnieisthedevilmouse]

Well that was kind of it I guess. I wondered what bracket my degree might suggest, assuming that people were more knowledgeable than me. I like the idea of primary but am having trouble working out if locally I'm needed. Senior I could get on a programme and I quite like older kids as I like to engage with them. I've taught riding and fitness in some capacity and these age groups appealed. But without knowing a subject I might suit I kind of chickened it.

So then I phoned up and got told art! As it happens I can draw, but I can't see that being massively in demand...? Certainly not at the school I could train with.

I do keep thinking of certain teachers who caught my attention when young and now I have life experience too think it could work.

So long as I don't read many education threads here....

[Minnieisthedevilmouse]

Pgce I'm going to have another look at that. That might suit me longer term, personality wise. But art...? Not easy this. They want to pigeon you so quick. Websites a nightmare!

[TheFallenMadonna]

I think History is quite competitive. I know very little about Art History, so I don't know what case you could make. I do know that you need to be really convincing about why you want to teach the subject you are applying for, not just why you want to teach.

[TheFallenMadonna]

They want to make sure you have both the knowledge and skills to teach the subject. It's not that unreasonable!

[Guilianna]

Art History qualifies you directly for not a lot, ime.

[Lottiedoubtie]

Generally secondary teachers start with a passion for the subject they want to teach as well as a passion for the idea of teaching teens.

It is difficult without a NC subject degree. Have you thought about independent schools that have art history departments?

[beachyhead]

Why don't you teach History of Art at A level? There are quite a lot of colleges doing it now... Or look for an education job in an Art Gallery?

[Minnieisthedevilmouse]

Oddly enough an several industries quite like it. Antiques, restoration, conservation, heritage etc. in teaching I had no idea, hence the question.

This isn't in aibu. I know. Art doesn't have knowledge or skills from this degree. Fine art etc yes. I would argue that it covers quite a few. History, sociology, English, feminism for starters. Art isn't chronological. It leads and responds. Based on its surroundings.

I'm used to eyebrows raised. Apparently it's elitist....?! No. I wanted to learn about various subjects and histories and travel Europe. It's really quite a spectacular subject.

[Minnieisthedevilmouse]

Beachy, agree. Maybe I was woefully naive for being surprised. Oh I don't know. Maybe I need to rethink my approach. This is helping. So thank you all.

[TheFallenMadonna]

I think it would be a fascinating subject to study. The question is whether it is a good foundation from which to teach History. I had to list my courses to make my case for my subjects. Perhaps the make up of your degree does meet the requirements. You'll have to ask. Nobody has called it elitist, or raised an eyebrow, and the qualifying you for not much comment came from another art historian I think...

[Guilianna]

Yes, I said it didn't qualify you for much directly -there are curating and heritage jobs, yes, but ime the likliehood is using transferable skills rather than an ability to comment on Giotto or plastic form. I may have been unlucky though! I ended up in education and publishing and retrained as a teacher a couple of years ago.

[knitknack]

I teach history (although I do also have a post grad dip in medieval history). I actually find that art history has given me a better broad chronological understanding, and ability to really evaluate and analyse sources than the 'straight history' degree did. And I've explained that in interviews too! (Only had two, both successful).

I'd investigate history OP - I start a huge number of my lessons with a picture source on the board, for analysis.

[arthistoricallondon]

You can also teach leisure courses for adults, and guide on museum visits!

[phlebasconsidered]

History teaching is not a shortage subject. There are few jobs available and it's very competitive. It's dead men's boots for jobs where I am.

[NinahH]

zombie thread