The Center for Material Culture Studies

The Center for Material Culture Studies (CMCS) builds on the University's distinguished international reputation in the interdisciplinary study of American material and visual culture. Through the Center, students and teachers examine material objects as living artifacts, as texts and contexts, to better imagine, interpret, and appreciate the world we inhabit; experience American material and visual culture in a dynamic learning, teaching, research, and public service environment; participate in seminars, field-based research ventures with institutional partners and state, regional, and national organizations; and contribute to the national effort in documenation, interpretation, preservation, and teaching of American material and visual culture. The Center offers a January International study trip and research assistantships.

The Museum Studies Program offers courses and a certificate for students who plan careers as museum curators, educational directors, or administrators.

The M.A. in Early American Culture is a multidisciplinary graduate course of study offered cooperatively by the University and the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum. At the Ph.D. level, the Department of Art History offers specialization in the decorative arts.

The Center for Historic Architecture and Design is a multidisciplinary research and public service group exploring the evolution of historic architecture, engineering, and the built environment. Graduate students in art history may qualify for CHAD grants, internships, and research assistantships.

In cooperation with Winterthur, the University offers the M.S. degree in the conservation of artistic and historic objects and the Ph.D. in Art Conservation Research. The Department collaborates with these programs, which offer graduate courses in the history of materials and techniques to interested graduate students.