As a Visual Studies student, you examine collections of museums, libraries, and archives at The New School and across New York City; explore experimental film, video, performance, and multimedia works; and engage with the stream of pictures and videos in popular culture and media.
By learning to analyze images, artworks, cultural artifacts and media practices, you gain deep insight into broader issues such as history and ideology, class, race and ethnicity, gender and sexuality, science and technology, the global political economy, and the environment. In addition to studying the theory, practice, and culture of seeing in rigorous academic seminars, you will also gain valuable knowledge about artworks and institutions through courses in curatorial and museum studies. Students pursuing the concentration combine the study of visual arts with the study of a liberal arts discipline.
Concentration requirements
Minor requirements
Connecting to New York City
While it offers the atmosphere and intimacy of a small college, Eugene Lang College is part of The New School, a major progressive university in New York City. The city and its many artistic and cultural organizations is a key resource for the Visual Studies curriculum. Classes include field trips to collections of museums, libraries, and archives, and to exhibitions, screenings, performances, lectures, and studio visits. The curriculum also addresses the city's architecture, public spaces, and infrastructure. Students also have the opportunity to work directly with a variety of cultural organizations via assignments or internships.
Career Paths
Visual Arts students go on to pursue advanced studies in anthropology, art history, film and media studies, gender studies, museum studies, and race and ethnicity studies, and also become arts administrators, curators, gallery or museum staff, journalists, publishers, and practicing artists. Consult our 4-Year Lang Career Pathways Map (PDF) for helpful steps and resources to link your academic journey to your future plans.
If you are planning to pursue graduate studies, consider applying to the Bachelor's-Master's program, which enables you to earn graduate credits that will apply to both your Lang degree and a master's degree in liberal studies at The New School.
Outcomes at Lang