A professor advising a student in an art studio
Academics
Art History and Studio Art

Art Resources

Williams College anchors one of the most vibrant visual arts communities in the U.S. In addition to its own renowned museum, Williams sustains strong relationships with nearby arts institutions. The college’s Graduate Program in Art History, which has educated generations of museum curators and directors, extends opportunities for undergraduates as well.

Art Centers On and Near Campus

  • Established in 1926 to enable Williams students to encounter painting and sculpture firsthand, the Williams College Museum of Art (WCMA) houses 13,000 works that span the history of art and hosts myriad changing exhibitions. Permanent collections are particularly strong in modern and contemporary art, American art from the late 18th century to the present and the art of world cultures. Learn more WCMA’s magnificent new home, which will open in the fall of 2027.

    Explore WCMA

  • Near the edge of Williams’ campus is The Clark Art Institute, internationally renowned for its old master paintings; a strong collection of nineteenth-century American paintings with special emphasis on Winslow Homer and John Singer Sargent; an extensive group of Barbizon, Impressionist, and academic nineteenth-century French paintings; European and American decorative arts, notably silver; and important collections of prints, drawings, and photography. An acclaimed art museum and a leading center for research and higher education, The Clark welcomes Williams students with free access to its holdings as well as its world-class Art History library.

    Explore The Clark

  • Founded by Williams alumni, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) opened in 1999 is now a globally renowned contemporary art museum and fabrication center. Located adjacent to Williamtown in North Adams, MoCA enjoys close partnerships with Williams, and Williams students enjoy free access to this major art resource.

    Explore MASS MoCA

The Graduate Program in Art History

This two-year master’s program combines academic coursework, internships, co-curricular workshops, independent research and international travel. Faculty and supervisors are drawn from the Williams Art Department, the Williams College Museum of Art, and the research and curatorial staff of the Clark Art Institute and other affiliates. The Clark hosts the program and is its principal collaborator, setting an intense course of study within a renowned art museum and research institute. 

The program calls on distinguished local collections in the context of its courses, allowing students to work closely with objects, installations, and other art practices. Students are required to take classes across the broad range of fields in the history of art, even as they are also encouraged to develop specific areas of interest and allow for more specialized study.

Explore Grad Art