511±¬ÁÏ

Based upon a strong art historical foundation, the BAMS program focuses on teaching practical museum skills and didactic knowledge for hands-on positions (such as registrar, preparator, and archives technician) alongside those needed for administrative and research positions in curatorial and related departments.

Ìý

Taught by practicing art historians, curators, and museum professionals, the program is designed to provide experiences and skills to support entry-level work as well as to serve as a launchpad for further study at the master’s and Ph.D. levels. ÌýBroad exposure to art historical and museological practices and theories prepare students to apply their learning upon graduation in museums and nonprofit organizations of all types and sizes, including art, children’s and history museums, as well as commercial art galleries, public art organizations and more.Ìý

Ìý

For BFA in Arts and B.A. in Visual Arts majors, BAMS adds valuable exhibition development and preparatory skills, art historical methodology and resources, and project management skills to support the growth and execution of your artistic ambitions.

Museum professionals are problem-solvers, innovators, initiators, storytellers, forensic investigators, and communicators and are driven to inspire interest in all areas of cultural heritage: artistic, historical and scientific.

Ìý

They understand collections (physically and intrinsically), audiences (physical experience and intellectual engagement) and how to tell stories by developing immersive, mesmerizing and captivating narrative displays that inspire curiosity and interest-driven investigation in visitors.

Ìý

Preservers and purveyors of cultural heritage, museums and their staff facilitate visitors' experiences with information and perspectives of the past, present, and future through interactions that educate, guide, and inspire visitors to learn and explore their world. The BAMS program will train students to create opportunities for transformative personal encounters with objects and invite visitors to explore stories waiting to be told, through the application of scholarship, close looking techniques, and technological tools.

Learning by doing is at the heart of 511±¬ÁÏ's educational mission and Museum Studies is no exception.

Ìý

Using the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery and additional college galleries as learning laboratories, graduates of this program come away with hands-on experience with museum operations and collections as well as exposure to 21st-century museum tools, best practices, and standards. In particular, the Scarfone/Hartley Gallery is operated by students and supervised by the director. Fifty percent of museum studies courses involve utilization of the gallery for implementing skills as preparators, with exhibition design, development and execution, as well as developing curatorial skills. Students are also encouraged to work for the gallery to grow their skills as student workers and interns.

Ìý

The program also studies and cares for the University of Tampa Permanent Art Collection, housed in Bailey Arts Studios. Students research, examine, and apply collection care skills to the collection. In this way, students generate more information about the collection every year for the University's collections management software, a common system used in the field, thus preparing them for entry-level positions at renowned institutions by offering them practical experience with displaying, managing, researching, and interpreting objects in a museum setting.

Students pursuing a BAMS degree will learn about a wide range of topics across the field, including:Ìý

• Art Historical Research and Theory
• Art History (Global Pre-Modern, Modern and Contemporary)
• Collection Management
• Curatorial Practices
• Exhibition Design
• Museum/ Nonprofit Administration
• Preparator Practices

Ìý

Like many other programs at 511±¬ÁÏ, BAMS prides itself on being student-focused and goal-oriented. We tailor each student’s experience through electives, independent study, special projects, and internship opportunities to provide thorough preparation for their choice of post-graduation experience, whether entry-level positions in museums and galleries or further education in museum studies, art history, and arts administration.

Complementary Majors:

The BAMS program is designed with a streamlined 38 credits, to be employed both as a focal major and a practicable secondary major, complementing many other majors offered at 511±¬ÁÏ. ÌýSome options include:

• BFA in Art
• BFA in Graphic Design
• BFA in New Media
• BA in History
• Communications : Advertising and Public Relations , Media and Culture
• Business: Marketing, Accounting, Entrepreneurship, Management , and Leadership Studies
• Education Degrees: Secondary and Elementary
• BS in Chemistry

Career Opportunities

A Museum Studies degree prepares students for many exciting careers within and beyond the field, such as:

• Administration and Public Relations
  • Historical House / Historical Site Manager
  • Events/ Rental Manager
  • Museum Public Relations Coordinator
  • National Park Service Ranger
• Collections Management
  • Art Handler/ Preparator
  • Assistant Collections Manager
  • Collections Manager
  • Collections Maintenance Technician
  • Conservator/ Restorer
  • Digital Collections Manager
  • Exhibition Designer
  • IT Specialist
• Curatorial and Research
  • Commercial Art Gallery Assistant
  • Curatorial Assistant
  • Curatorial Researcher
• Development/ Fundraising
  • Major Gifts Fundraising Assistant
  • Major Gifts Officer
  • Membership and Advocacy Fundraising Manager
• Visitor Services and Engagement
  • Community Outreach CoordinatorÌý
  • Docent Coordinator
  • Education Programs Coordinator (for Camps, Lectures, Tours etc.)
  • Visitor Services and Engagement
  • Volunteer Coordinator
  • Marketing/Branding
  • Social Media Coordinator