History and Purpose

Welcome to the Midwest Art History Society, an organization that brings together academic, museum-based, and independent art historians in the common goal of scholarly inquiry and the exchange of ideas. Founded in 1973, the organization is open to all art historians, regardless of specialization.

The membership is focused in the states that comprise the Midwestern United States, but residents of any state or country are welcome to join. The Society gathers once a year in the spring, for three days of scholarly presentations, panel discussions and workshops. Meetings are usually hosted by universities, colleges and museums, and the programs reflect the collaboration between these institutions.

The Board of Directors meets every fall and during the annual meeting in the spring. Members of the organization work to foster close relationships between museum and academic art historians, and have devoted themselves to mentoring and encouraging the development of young art historians who are just entering the profession. Graduate student participation is eagerly encouraged, and grants to offset the expenses incurred by students presenting papers at the annual conference are offered.