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Here you can carry out art historical and design research; apply the theories and practice of information science; design and curate digital libraries, archives, and exhibitions; and communicate arts content and design effectively across diverse cultures and societies.
Pratt students at the Morgan Library Reading Room (courtesy Polly Cancro, History of Art and Design / Library and Information Science '18)

Pratt students at the Morgan Library Reading Room (courtesy Polly Cancro, History of Art and Design / Library and Information Science '18)

Type
Graduate, MAL
Start Term
Fall Only
Credits
60
Duration
3 years (typically)
Courses
Plan of Study
Student reading in the book stacks of the history Pratt Library on the Brooklyn campus.

History of Art and Design / Library and Information Science at Pratt

The MSLIS/MA History of Art and Design dual-degree program prepares you for careers in art and design, museum, and academic libraries. In this program, you will become an expert on the intersection of art and design and information, going deep into art, design, and historical archives, art and design collections, and more. With fellowship opportunities at NYC’s leading museums, libraries, and archives, such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Frick Art Reference Library, and MoMA, the dual-degree program offers unique experiential learning opportunities.

Student Work

You may also browse completed M.A. History of Art & Design Theses at the Pratt Institute Libraries.

The Experience

professor speaking with class, reviewing artwork onsite

Students in the dual-degree MSLIS/MA History of Art and Design program get to experience all Pratt has to offer by taking half of their program (30 credits) at the School of Information based in Manhattan, and the other half in the Department of History of Art and Design on the Brooklyn campus (30 credits). The first two years students take courses in both departments, with much of the thesis work taking place in the third year. With class sizes of just 8-12, you’ll collaborate closely with your cohort and faculty and be learning at the nexus of NYC arts and culture communities.

Internships

Internships at museums, libraries, nonprofit art organizations, and galleries provide professional opportunities in your area of interest and prepare you for future careers. Recent students have interned at prestigious institutions such as the New York Public Library, Franklin Furnace, and the Whitney Museum of American Art.

Study Abroad

Bernini's fountain in the Piazza Navona, Rome, Italy.

We are pleased to offer study abroad options for dual-degree students, including a new course offered for the first time during spring break 2024: “Artist Archives: Rome/New York”. We also recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of Pratt in Venice, which is a 6-week program that occurs each June and July. For more information on Study Abroad, see where you can go.

Learning Resources

We develop disciplinary fluency in our program of study and we celebrate the interdisciplinary nature of design critical to address the plurality and complexity of the environments in which we operate. Learning resources.

Our Faculty

Pratt’s distinguished faculty of outstanding creative professionals and scholars share a common desire to develop each student’s potential and creativity to the fullest. Bringing different views, methods, and perspectives, they provide a rigorous educational model in which students make and learn. See all History of Art and Design faculty and administrators and School of Information faculty and administrators.

Our Alumni

Pratt’s distinguished alumni are leading diverse and thriving careers, addressing critical challenges and creating innovative work that reimagines our world.

Where They Work

  • Librarian, Photographs and Prints Division, New York Public Library
  • Archivist, Center for Brooklyn History at Brooklyn Public Library
  • IT Project Manager, J. Paul Getty Trust
  • Head, Reference & Reader Services, Teachers College, Columbia University
  • Web Collection Librarian, Columbia University Libraries
  • Dean and Director of Libraries, Bard College

Success Stories

Ready for More?

HERE’S HOW TO APPLYOUR CAMPUS & BEYOND
Join us at Pratt. Learn more about admissions requirements, plan your visit, talk to a counselor, and start your application. Take the next step.You’ll find yourself at home at Pratt. Learn more about our residence halls, student organizations, athletics, gallery exhibitions, events, the amazing City of New York and our Brooklyn neighborhood communities. Check us out.

Social media

@prattischool
Pratt iSchool

@prattischool

  • Playing cards are all the rage these days! In this Pratt News article, find out about some of the ways they are being used, including work from Profs. Shruthi Chivukula, Nancy Smith, and Claudia Berger (MSLIS ’21), as well as recent alums Erica Weidner (MSLIS ’24), Gabriella Evergreen (MSLIS ’24), Meina Naeymirad (MSLIS ’23) and Abby Hurst (MSIXD ‘23). Link available in our bio.
  • Students head to Princeton, faculty start a research group, and more news in the July School of Information newsletter; link available in our bio.
  • Today Vinette Thomas, Assistant to the Dean, was recognized for her 42 years of service to @prattinstitute at the staff BBQ. Vinette is retiring on January 3, 2025, and we wish her well on her next journey. 👏 🙌 🎉
  • Following a year-long revisioning process and community feedback in the cold winter months, we are pleased to rollout our new Vision, Mission and Goals for @prattischool! You can find the full update on our website; link available in our bio.
  • The view from @prattischool this morning… turns out that thing on the @empirestatebldg is supposed to be a dragon 🐉 Don’t see that from this vantage point :-/
  • Students in INFO 625 Management of Archives and Special Collections have worked this past year to process and describe archival records of the School of Information, most of which were housed in the less-than-ideal basement of Pratt Manhattan Center. Today, the batch of records from the spring ‘24 course, representing records from the 1950s to the 2010s, were transferred to the archives on the Brooklyn campus. And yes, they all fit into the trunk of a Chevy Malibu!
Playing cards are all the rage these days! In this Pratt News article, find out about some of the ways they are being used, including work from Profs. Shruthi Chivukula, Nancy Smith, and Claudia Berger (MSLIS ’21), as well as recent alums Erica Weidner (MSLIS ’24), Gabriella Evergreen (MSLIS ’24), Meina Naeymirad (MSLIS ’23) and Abby Hurst (MSIXD ‘23). Link available in our bio.
Playing cards are all the rage these days! In this Pratt News article, find out about some of the ways they are being used, including work from Profs. Shruthi Chivukula, Nancy Smith, and Claudia Berger (MSLIS ’21), as well as recent alums Erica Weidner (MSLIS ’24), Gabriella Evergreen (MSLIS ’24), Meina Naeymirad (MSLIS ’23) and Abby Hurst (MSIXD ‘23). Link available in our bio.
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/6
Students head to Princeton, faculty start a research group, and more news in the July School of Information newsletter; link available in our bio.
Students head to Princeton, faculty start a research group, and more news in the July School of Information newsletter; link available in our bio.
1 week ago
View on Instagram |
2/6
Today Vinette Thomas, Assistant to the Dean, was recognized for her 42 years of service to @prattinstitute at the staff BBQ. Vinette is retiring on January 3, 2025, and we wish her well on her next journey. 👏 🙌 🎉
Today Vinette Thomas, Assistant to the Dean, was recognized for her 42 years of service to @prattinstitute at the staff BBQ. Vinette is retiring on January 3, 2025, and we wish her well on her next journey. 👏 🙌 🎉
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
3/6
Following a year-long revisioning process and community feedback in the cold winter months, we are pleased to rollout our new Vision, Mission and Goals for @prattischool! You can find the full update on our website; link available in our bio.
Following a year-long revisioning process and community feedback in the cold winter months, we are pleased to rollout our new Vision, Mission and Goals for @prattischool! You can find the full update on our website; link available in our bio.
Following a year-long revisioning process and community feedback in the cold winter months, we are pleased to rollout our new Vision, Mission and Goals for @prattischool! You can find the full update on our website; link available in our bio.
3 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
4/6
The view from @prattischool this morning… turns out that thing on the @empirestatebldg is supposed to be a dragon 🐉 Don’t see that from this vantage point :-/
The view from @prattischool this morning… turns out that thing on the @empirestatebldg is supposed to be a dragon 🐉 Don’t see that from this vantage point :-/
4 weeks ago
View on Instagram |
5/6
Students in INFO 625 Management of Archives and Special Collections have worked this past year to process and describe archival records of the School of Information, most of which were housed in the less-than-ideal basement of Pratt Manhattan Center. Today, the batch of records from the spring ‘24 course, representing records from the 1950s to the 2010s, were transferred to the archives on the Brooklyn campus. And yes, they all fit into the trunk of a Chevy Malibu!
Students in INFO 625 Management of Archives and Special Collections have worked this past year to process and describe archival records of the School of Information, most of which were housed in the less-than-ideal basement of Pratt Manhattan Center. Today, the batch of records from the spring ‘24 course, representing records from the 1950s to the 2010s, were transferred to the archives on the Brooklyn campus. And yes, they all fit into the trunk of a Chevy Malibu!
Students in INFO 625 Management of Archives and Special Collections have worked this past year to process and describe archival records of the School of Information, most of which were housed in the less-than-ideal basement of Pratt Manhattan Center. Today, the batch of records from the spring ‘24 course, representing records from the 1950s to the 2010s, were transferred to the archives on the Brooklyn campus. And yes, they all fit into the trunk of a Chevy Malibu!
1 month ago
View on Instagram |
6/6

From the Catalog