Dr. Norman Vorano
Head, Department of Art History and Art Conservation
Associate Professor, Art History
Welcome to the Department of Art History and Art Conservation. From its early start in 1933 with the appointment of Goodridge Roberts as the University’s first Resident Artist, the study of visual art, architecture, and material culture at Queen’s has been an important way of exploring and understanding our interconnected, dynamic, and culturally complex world. For more than half a century, the Department has trained many leading professionals now working in major museums, universities, and public and private cultural organizations around the globe. Whether art is a curiosity or a career calling, it is the place at Queen’s for the study of the visual arts and community based arts research.
Taking great pride in the fact that we are an international destination for the study of arts, architecture, museums, and visual culture, the Department offers expertise in diverse geographical, temporal, and cultural areas, as well as innovative theoretical, contextual and technical methods. Research interests of faculty and students bring them to all corners of the world including the Americas, Europe, Africa, Asia, and elsewhere. My own research is primarily in Indigenous traditions in the Canadian Arctic; having been a curator at the Canadian Museum of History for nearly a decade, I now work with cultural workers and Inuit communities in the North to build better access to heritage and museum collections.
With our longstanding Summer Venice Programs, the only Master’s Degree in Art Conservation available in Canada (only one of four in North America), and recurring internships with museums around the world, students have unrivalled opportunities for cross-sector professional development, networking, and career possibilities. As well, the Department’s close relationship to the Agnes Etherington Art Centre at Queen’s allows students to have first-hand curatorial and research experience with one of North America’s most important university art collections, which includes an outstanding historical European painting collection – with a remarkable total of four Rembrandt paintings – a global Indigenous art collection, African arts collection, modern Canadian art, and decorative arts.
Our tradition of experience-driven learning, innovative scholarship, and intimate seminar settings led by internationally recognized experts, helps our students realize their potential to become transformative thinkers and leaders. I invite you to explore our website and contact us if you are interested in learning more about our exciting community, including our remarkable network of globe-spanning alumni.