I’ve just received a multipart ask about grad schools—particularly dealing with dec arts vs. material culture—that I think could be helpful to many people, but it’s a long answer, so I’m putting it here after the jump.
Hello! I'm currently an undergrad majoring in metalsmithing&jewelry and art history. I'm looking at grad programs, and I've run into... a uhm. Well, it's not even a wall. It's just a void in the middle of the sea where no winds are encouraging me onward. I was wondering if you'd be so kind as to explain to me: what's the difference between a decorative arts history degree, and a degree in material culture studies? Also, in that vein, have you enjoyed your decorative arts degree program? And, lastly what did you wish you knew to ask before applying for further education? I'm kind of lost as you can see, and grad school is very intimidating, and I'm terrified. Thanks in advance, and thanks for all of the wonderful detailed posts
First off, to anon: that undergrad degree is a perfect basis for a decorative art history MA since you’ve studied both the techniques involved in making things as well as the research techniques needed for art history, so you’ll do great in any dec arts program.
HISTORY OF DECORATIVE ART VS. MATERIAL CULTURE
The two subjects are really similar, and the definition of ‘material culture’ varies so much between books/institutions/scholars that sometimes the two are the same. They both deal with history through the lens of extant objects in conjunction with documents relating to objects (i.e. probate inventories, invoices, advertisements). Sometimes they only deal with references to objects that no longer exist (though this is moreso the case with material culture). Neither usually work in conjunction with archaeologists or deal with archaeological findings, though this is slowly changing as people finally admit that whether something has been buried/thrown out or not doesn’t necessarily change its intrinsic meaning. Generally though, it breaks down like this:
Studying decorative arts you’ll mostly be looking at the high-style stuff, like Sèvres porcelain (instead of Native American pottery). Part of the reasoning behind this is because the high-style objects get saved, treasured, and displayed while the utilitarian objects get used and discarded. You’ll work to place the object into the larger context of art/techniques of the time period and what the object says about its owners/makers. You’ll focus on techniques, styles, aesthetics, etc. In terms of museum exhibits, you’ll mostly study things that you’d find in house museums or art museums (as opposed to cultural institutions).
Studying material culture is only slightly different. Often, the point of material culture is study a group of people that is underrepresented because of a lack of written documentation. This makes you focus on more everyday objects. The main point is to use those objects as a lens to shed light on the larger culture in which they existed, instead of on their specific owners.
Generally, with material culture, you’ll be studying the culture at large (usually with a focus on underrepresented groups) while with decorative arts you mostly pick one aspect to focus on. However, these definitions are really fluid and they do often overlap. Many decorative arts programs have a material culture requirement, and many of the people in my program are actually writing material culture theses.
Choosing between decorative arts and material culture is really dependent on what you want for a career. If you want to work in a house museum, or as an appraiser, or an art museum, go for decorative arts. If you want to work in a cultural museum, museums that represent slavery/underrepresented groups/frontier life or representative examples of the time period, go for material culture.
The best advice I can give on this point is to contact people who currently have jobs you want to eventually have and tell them your situation. In my experience, people in this field are incredibly helpful and passionate enough about their topic to encourage newcomers rather than get competitive. Ask them the path they took to that job and if there’s any advice they would give to someone in your position.
Since my blog URL is on my business cards, which I’ve handed out to everyone on staff for my program, I absolutely LOVE this program, haha.
In all honesty though, I don’t want to sound pessimistic, but a graduate program (at least in this field) is only as good as the contacts they can get you. And this program can get you some pretty good contacts. Some programs open doors by virtue of their name alone, while most open doors by putting you face to face with potential future employers.
That said, if you hate the professors/students in your program, you’ll grow to resent the topic. I’ve never met a bigger group of dec arts nerds than in this program, so it makes getting excited about the topic super easy.
If anybody wants more details about my program and the programs I’m familiar with (regarding classes offered, hiring, requirements, tuition, etc), message me off anon so I can answer privately.
The biggest thing I wish I’d done before starting grad school was to contact professionals to ask about their academic journeys. When I applied, I had never even heard of Winterthur. (Needless to say I am still kicking myself for not applying.)
Look up the professors at each of the programs you’re considering. See what all they’ve published, and if you have easy access to their books, look at their acknowledgements to see who all they know. Look at their employment history: they’re sure to still have contacts/recognition at any museum where they’ve worked. Getting a professor everyone’s heard of or who personally knows the hiring staff to write you a letting of introduction or recommendation does wonders for getting into places.
Look up what kind of outside scholarships current students are getting (i.e. research grants, symposium attendance). If there are a lot, it probably means that the program not only encourages students to apply but also helps them find and qualify for them. Otherwise, you might be on your own (and it’s a big field to navigate alone).
Don’t necessarily trust the hiring data that the program supplies you. They’re out to attract more tuition. Go instead with what you hear from professionals and academics in the field who aren’t associated with any programs.
Internships are key for meeting people and getting experience to put on your resume, so look up the internships current students are doing. It’ll be much easier to do internships in the area of your program (since you won’t have to find short-term accommodations), so try to situate yourself somewhere with easy access to several institutions.
Know your end goal before you start. I know this is the hardest, but I personally think this is the most important. Grad school is too expensive to do when you don’t know if you actually want to use that degree. Plus, if you already have a focus and career goal in mind, you can tailor all your classes to that goal and save you from accidentally having to extend your stay or overlap credits.
If anybody else has anything to add or contradicting info, please send it in!
