Professionalization, University Presses, Specializations, and the Ecology of Art Historical Scholarship, 1970-2009

Publication in art history and arts-related studies is a complex landscape, permitting art historians a larger venue in which to publish their scholarly endeavours. Trade presses, university presses, and museums are major players in art historical publication, adding to the complexity of publishing, especially for academic art historians. This exploratory discussion attempts to frame art historical publishing within a larger publishing dynamic that influences art historians, specialization, and the wider ecology of publishing within the area of art history as a professional activity. As scholarly communication is challenged by economic and professional concerns affecting art historical scholarship, this discussion attempts to further explore an enterprise that is as varied as its intellectual and specializations demand.