About Us

The Art History Program at the University of Massachusetts Amherst was established in 1970 within the Department of Art. In 2014, the Program became the Department of the History of Art and Architecture. It is the only program at a public institution in New England that offers both undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field. Our emphasis is on the cultures of Western Europe, North America, Islam, and East Asia.
Interested in an Art History major?

With its broad emphasis on culture and history and its focus on writing, analysis, and research, History of Art and Architecture provides an excellent liberal arts degree for students seeking flexible but rigorous training for a variety of careers.
Graduate Studies

Founded in 1969, the M.A. Program is the only graduate degree program in the field at a public university in New England.
Spotlight

Our faculty, students, and alumni continue to progress the field of art history through their dedicated efforts on a local and global scale.

Distinguished Professor Walter Denny will Chair the Met's Visiting Committee for the Department of Textile Conservation

April 08, 2019

UMass' Distinguished Professor of Art History, Walter Denny, has been closely involved with the Textile Conservation Department at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for 11 years. Additionally, Denny...

Art History Major Constance Roberts Receives Rising Researcher Award

March 23, 2019

Art history major Constance Roberts was recently deemed a Rising Researcher by the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. The Rising Researcher acknowledgement program is designed to raise the...

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Faculty Profile

Professor Walter Denny

Walter B. Denny, Distinguished Professor, joined the faculty of the UMass Amherst Art History Program in 1970. His primary field of teaching and research is the art and architecture of the Islamic world, in particular the artistic traditions of the Ottoman Turks, Islamic carpets and textiles, Islamic imagery in European art, and issues of economics and patronage in Islamic art.

Continue reading about Professor Walter Denny

Interested in an Art History major? With its broad emphasis on culture and history and its focus on writing, analysis, and research, History of Art and Architecture provides an excellent liberal arts degree for students seeking flexible but rigorous training for a variety of careers.

Graduate Studies Founded in 1969, the M.A. Program is the only graduate degree program in the field at a public university in New England.

Spotlight Our faculty, students, and alumni continue to progress the field of art history through their dedicated efforts on a local and global scale.

Distinguished Professor Walter Denny will Chair the Met's Visiting Committee for the Department of Textile Conservation

Art History Major Constance Roberts Receives Rising Researcher Award

Professor Walter Denny

Interested in an Art History major?

With its broad emphasis on culture and history and its focus on writing, analysis, and research, History of Art and Architecture provides an excellent liberal arts degree for students seeking flexible but rigorous training for a variety of careers.

Graduate Studies

Founded in 1969, the M.A. Program is the only graduate degree program in the field at a public university in New England.

Spotlight

Our faculty, students, and alumni continue to progress the field of art history through their dedicated efforts on a local and global scale.