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The Case for the Preservation of Art History at McMaster University

1) THE FACULTY OF HUMANITIES PROPOSAL TO UC

The Proposal before Undergraduate Council (pp. 74–75 of the agenda) contains confusion and
errors.

1a) Throughout, the proposal understates the faculty numbers in Art History. One faculty
member is never mentioned and never counted. He is currently on sick leave.

1b) The proposal is predicated on an increase in BIUs described as likely.

1c) Phasing out Art History is said to enable ―a fifth position (mentioned above) in Studio Art‖
(p. 75). That position is never revealed, described, or accounted for.

1d) The ―faculty complement of nine‖ (p. 75) is an exaggeration. Four full-time Studio Art
professors are specified, and one full-time Art History professor, for a total of five. The missing
person in 1a) might make a total of six. One of these is to be a teaching professor, who will not
be counted as ―enhancing the research orientation of the School‖ (p. 75).

The remaining persons mentioned would have part-time or marginal connections to Art and Art
History.

We request that Undergraduate Council ask the Faculty of Humanities

for a correct and well-explained proposal free of inconsistencies,
contradictions, and errors.

2) CURRENT ENROLMENT IN THE ART HISTORY PROGRAM

Dr. Crosta: ―Demand for spaces in the standalone Art History program has dwindled to the point
where only seven students chose the specialty this year.‖ (Hamilton Spectator, February 17,
2010)

2a) Presenting only the Level II enrolment in one calendar session distorts the Art History
program’s enrolment picture. The Dean went on to quote only full-time enrolment numbers,
which are comparable to those in at least one other program. The Art History program also
involves many part-time students.

2b) The continual attempts to close the program, from 2006 to now, have caused significant
harm. Students are discouraged from enrolling in a program that is underfunded and repeatedly
threatened. That ―total program students will continue to decline‖ (Agenda, p. 75) is an
unwarranted assumption but may be artificially brought about.

―The program should be lauded for the fact that overall enrolments in Art History have
significantly increased over the past three years. This, in itself, is evidence of its high quality.‖
(Art History Program Review, 2009, pp. 1–2)
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We request that Undergraduate Council not accept a decision based

on a single year’s enrolment in one level, and that it consider the
entire favourable recent Art History Program Review.

3) THE DEMAND FOR ARTIST EDUCATORS

Dr. Crosta: ―Hamilton's growing art scene and the shortage of qualified art teachers for the
public school system are creating demand for university-educated artists.‖ (Hamilton Spectator,
February 17, 2010)

3a) An Art History program fosters the development of visual literacy, critical thinking, and
communication skills. It leads to a range of professional fields, among which are museum work,
law, architecture, and education. Most graduates of the Art History program have attained
advanced degrees in these diverse fields.

3b) Art History is essential for emerging artist educators because it informs them about history,
theory, and practice. A degree in Art History provides exposure for both Studio Art and Art
History students to the full range of topics in the visual arts.

We request that Undergraduate Council recognize with the Dean of

Humanities the growing need for artist educators and the crucial role
that the Art History program has played and must continue to play
in such education.

4) THE QUALITY OF THE ART HISTORY PROGRAM

Dr. Crosta: ―The Art History program has been struggling for many years.‖ (Hamilton Spectator,
February 17, 2010)

4a) ―The reviewers recognize the excellence of faculty, their commitment to the program, their
commitment to providing first-rate undergraduate training…Students perform well above the
guidelines required by their programs…with the knowledge and skills necessary for further
education and/or graduate school.‖ (Art History Program Review, 2009, pp. 1, 4)

4b) ―Art History has no designated budget. The three other programs in the School of the Arts
enjoy access to budget lines through which they draw on funds that are guaranteed to be
renewed every year. These programs…use their budgets to organize concerts, performances,
and speakers’ series, among other events. The faculty of Art History would very much like their
discipline to receive equitable treatment with the assignment of comparable resources to benefit
their students.‖ (Art History Self Study, 2009, p. 18).

One professor on research leave in 2006–07 was not replaced (by a CLA), another indicator of
lack of support for the program. The only year the Art History program has had a CLA in the
past decade is 2009–10, when one of two professors was replaced.
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Even a fine program like Art History cannot flourish without support. How has Art History been
supported since the last attack against our discipline in 2006? In the recent boost in funding for
Humanities, how much was allocated to the Art History program?

Also because Hamilton as a city is increasing its support for the arts, McMaster needs to
maintain and regain respect in the arts as a responsible educational institution.

We request that Undergraduate Council determine how the Art History

program has been supported or not supported in the past decade,
and why the administration claims it is not viable.

5) THE MINOR IN ART HISTORY

Dr. Crosta: ―Students will also continue to have the option to take a minor in Art History, and Art
History faculty will continue to offer courses.‖ (Daily News, February 3, 2010)

5a) There have been no follow-up statements about the minor. How many courses will be
available and how many faculty members will teach them?

5b) A minor in Art History is not an acceptable result. According to a recent survey, 62% of Art
History alumni pursued graduate study (Art History Review, 2009, p. 80). A minor will bar
students from an MA in Art History (among many others—never mind a PhD). A minor will not
attract students who wish to seriously pursue this discipline. Graduates from the Art History
Honours/Combined Honours degree programs and their accomplishments are presented in an
attachment.

5c) Art History continues to serve as a significant field for careers and leadership for women.

5d) McMaster University was the first university in Canada to offer Art History courses, in the
1930s (Art History Self Study, 2009, p. 5). Brock University is mounting a major in Art History to
start in Fall 2010. Certainly this indicates demand for a degree in this discipline in this region.
The resources at Brock University cannot match the library or museum at McMaster University.

We request that Undergraduate Council reject the minor in Art History

as the only option for this program.

6) THE MCMASTER MUSEUM OF ART (MMA), THE ART GALLERY OF HAMILTON (AGH),
AND JAMES STREET NORTH ARTISTIC COMMUNITY

MMA Official Website: ―Acquisitions policies emphasize the relationship between the teaching of
Art, Art History, and other subject areas (especially within the Humanities), as well as broader
concerns such as learning, research, and public enjoyment.‖
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6a) The MMA’s historical collection, the AGH, and the growing James Street North art
community provide excellent, thriving connections for Art and Art History students and the
university.

6b) ―Several parallel goals were defined [for the Levy bequest spending]: reinforcement of the
concept that the optimum method for learning about art is direct experience with tangible
objects; immediate support of teaching and research initiatives in Art and Art History, combined
with broader support of interdisciplinary and lifelong learning.‖ (The Levy Legacy, McMaster
University Press, 1996, p. 28)

We request that Undergraduate Council consider the connection of

the excellent resources at McMaster and in Hamilton to the
Art History program.

7) LACK OF COMMUNICATION WITH FACULTY, STUDENTS, AND ALUMNI

Dr. Crosta has refused to meet with students about Art History. Her Associate Dean has been
an unacceptable substitute. Members of the administration (Dean Crosta, Provost Busch-
Vishniac, and President George) have not responded to student, alumni, or faculty e-mails.

7a) Faculty members in the School of the Arts, students, and alumni have been informed of this
decision through media, rumour, and misinformation.

7b) We suggest a public forum for the Dean to discuss this matter with the relevant
stakeholders mentioned above. We deserve the chance to discuss matters directly with the
person responsible for this decision.

We request that Undergraduate Council delay this decision until the

Dean of Humanities meets with students and faculty members in the
School of the Arts and in the Faculty of Humanities.
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Art History is central to the Humanities because it engages all of the other disciplines including
Politics, Philosophy, Languages, History, Cultural Studies, Sociology, and Classics, in addition
to Anthropology and Economics, among others. Art History graduates are multidisciplinary
masters with wide knowledge, visual skills, information skills, integration skills, and highly
effective communication skills.

This discipline should be given prominence.

IN CONCLUSION, we believe that Undergraduate Council has enough

information in the seven categories above to reject the proposal
submitted by the Faculty of Humanities to phase out
the Art History program.