20 PhD Programs in Arts 2023

Arts studies incorporate the history, culture, and practice of a variety of different art forms. Examples of topic areas include sculpture, film, painting, musical instruments, theater, and photography. Programs often combine classroom learning with hands-on work.

The PhD is a doctoral degree, specifically called a "doctor of philosophy" degree. This is misleading because PhD holders are not necessarily philosophers (unless they earned their degree in philosophy!). That said, PhD recipients are able to engage in thought experiments, reason about problems, and solve problems in sophisticated ways.