The Graduate Institute of Art History was established in 1989 (previously, Program in Chinese Art History, Graduate Institute of History, 1971-1989). In addition to the Master's program, the Institute subsequently initiated its Ph.D. program in 2000.
Presently, the Institute's research fields include the history of Chinese painting, calligraphy, Chinese artifacts, Asian art, Buddhist art, Taiwanese art and Southeast Asian art and archaeology. It also focuses on regional studies, especially the artistic interactions between China and Japan. In the future, the Institute expects to broaden its scope of research to the arts of the Middle East and Europe. The aim of both programs is to prepare student for scholarship and teaching on the university level.
The programs train students to conduct independent research on art and culture by visual analysis of objects and critical thinking of art-related cultural problems, equip them with knowledge for further academic work, and familiarize them with skills for careers in museums, galleries, and related cultural sectors.
The Institute's compact library has a substantial collection of art books and teaching materials, including slides, plates, facsimiles and samples of art works. Presently, a computer database of images is in preparation. The collection is expanding constantly and is expected to grow continuously to become an important research center for Chinese art history in the future.