Accelerated MA in Art History

Isabel Grewatz, 2026

How did you decide on the art history program?

I was originally a forensic science major here at Mason, but I quickly found that it was not meant to be. In high school I had attended a health sciences program with hopes of doing something in a lab, and I found that George Mason had a very good forensic science program. The school was close to all the museums in D.C. just in case I wanted a different career path – and I did. I have always loved going to museums, and art museums specifically, so I came into Mason with a minor in art history but I just never had the time to take art history classes, which were the classes I was actually excited to take. I eventually made the switch to art history and I am happier than ever. I found my love for learning once more; I'm able to create meaningful relationships with my professors, and the ability to go to the museums right there in D.C. is so beneficial.

What have you learned in an art history class that really surprised you/changed your perspective?

Before I had taken any art history classes, the idea of just looking at artworks and learning their dates and where they were made seemed a bit boring. However, when I actually took the classes, I realized they have been some of the most insightful times I've spent learning. Of course, the dates and origins of artwork are important, but what a majority of my classes focused on was the meaning of the artwork. This included what the artwork meant to the artist, the patron, the culture at the time, the religion at the time, and so much more. I was surprised to enjoy those connections – looking at an object and then being able to tell what the norms were, what the influences were, and most importantly what the artist was able to do. This way of learning makes art history so much more interactive and allows me to be an active participant in something that might have been created hundreds of years ago.

Tell us about your dream occupation…

My dream occupation is to be a curator of some sort. I have always loved the atmosphere in museums and learning about art is one of my favorite things, so to be able to share that love with other people in the form of creating and planning exhibits is what I want to do.

Have you had any internships? Or interesting jobs or volunteer experience? Tell us about it/them.

I completed an internship (Summer 2023) at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, VA, with the Development department. This was a museum I would visit when I was a kid, and even more as a high schooler. This opportunity was such a great milestone in my life so far.

Any accomplishments you’re proud of? Opportunities you’ve taken advantage of? Brag a little!

After I switched majors I was worried that I would be so far behind my fellow classmates, but I worked as hard as I could and not only made up for the time I was not an art history major, but found opportunities I had never thought of before. Here at GMU, I was hired as the Social Media Chair for P.A.C, which is a student-led campus organization that does events for students. I was also given the opportunity to become the Art History Program Ambassador for 2023-24.