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The AAH Launches ART HISTORY NOW

The Association for Art History celebrates its 50th anniversary with the launch today of Art History Now – an online campaign featuring over 90 eminent art history advocates. Artists, art historians, writers and broadcasters have shared inspiring new reflections on what art history means to them and to society.

In a world bombarded by images, visual literacy and the study of art history has never been more important in helping us better understand visual cues, other cultures and creating an openness to diverse perspectives. The AAH believes that art history, the study of art across the globe, from the ancient world to the present day, helps us examine our histories and can actively shape how we understand what we see around us now. It equips us with the skills and tools to interpret and connect to an increasingly visual world and enhances our ability to analyse, question and critically engage with issues confronting society and individuals.   

Among the advocates featured in the Art History Now campaign are artists Sonia Boyce, Antony Gormley, Rebecca Salter, Grayson Perry, Cornelia Parker and Magdalene Odundo; museum and gallery directors Maria Balshaw, Nicholas Cullinan, Gus Casely-Hayford, Caro Howell, Gabriele Finaldi, Gilane Tawadros and Tristram Hunt; art historians, writers broadcasters Neil MacGregor, Janina Ramirez, Partha Mitter, Kate Bryan, Simon Schama, Sandi Toksvig, Jonathan Jones, Louisa Buck, and Waldemar Januszczak.   

Art history, like all arts and humanities disciplines, has faced challenges at university level in recent years, mainly due to the funding crisis in the higher education sector. Despite this, applications to study the subject at university have remained steady and the number of students sitting for the A-level in the history of art has increased by 33% since 2019 and 25% in the last two years alone. This speaks to the enduring appeal of art history and the need that young people have to learn more about art and visual culture. To this end, the AAH has also produced a series of Art History Careers videos as part of Art History Now – aimed at A-level students and their parents – which demonstrate the reach and importance of the subject in different sectors.

Gregory Perry, CEO of the Association for Art History, commented, “As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we are delighted and honoured by those who have joined us to champion the appreciation, study and preservation of the history of art. Their passion and commitment has clearly been instrumental in enriching our cultural heritage and in ensuring that diverse and fascinating stories of art through the ages continue to inspire future generations to engage with the visual arts. We are also encouraged by the new Government’s intention to break down the barriers to participation in the arts, as our advocates have, and with its recognition that encountering great art and historical objects is ‘inspiring, empowering and transformative'”.

Images: Paterson Joseph, Janina Ramirez, Sonia Boyce, Gus Casely-Hayford, Cornelia Parker, Kate Bryan, Gilane Tawadros, Grayson Perry, Gabriele Finaldi, Melanie Pocock, Maria Balshaw, Antony Gormley, Partha Mitter

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