If writing about music is like dancing about architecture, where does that leave talking about visual art? You might be surprised by how immersive, expressive and image-rich these 14 art history podcasts are, through audio cues alone. Walk through museums with celebrities; examine a classical painting with an amateur — or professional — curator; and dive deep into the cultural milieu and influences that shaped an artist’s output. You’ll be sure to gain layers of perspective, depth and dimension.
1. “The Lonely Palette”
Host Tamar Avishai approaches each episode by first asking visitors to Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts to describe a particular piece, then dives into the history and context surrounding that object.
2. “A Piece of Work”
"Broad City" co-creator and star Abbi Jacobson makes modern and contemporary art approachable, between her conversations with curators and a roster of special guests.
3. “Bad at Sports”
A curious investigation of art makers, curators and critics who are shaping the present and future of art.
4. “The Jealous Curator: Art for Your Ears”
The gossipy inside scoop on contemporary artists before they reach the history books.
5. “The Modern Art Notes Podcast”
Host Tyler Green interviews artists, art historians and authors in this weekly discussion, both in the studio and live in art museums around the country.
6. “ArtCurious”
A non-boring art history podcast that sheds light on the weird, funny, mysterious and enthralling details of art from every era.
7. “Art History Babes Podcast”
Four art history masters students (now graduates) cover the breadth of art history, over wine.
8. “Raw Material”
An inside peek into the artists of today, from the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA).
9. “The Renaissance: A History of Renaissance Art”
Artist and art educator Denis Byrd hosts an in-depth look into the artists of the Renaissance.
10. “Art Talk”
Edward Goldman and Hunter Drohojowska-Philp host the twice-weekly Art Talk from KCRW, discussing art news and history from a writer-lecturer-critic perspective.
11. “Art Detective”
Art is a visual interpretation of a particular point in time through the hands of creative individuals; Dr. Janina Ramirez’s discussions with art experts bring these moments and creations to life.
12. “The Sculptor's Funeral”
History is in the making, as these interviews with living Western European figurative sculptors attest.
13. “State of the Arts”
A show in its own historical time capsule, exploring how art and its history shapes the world we live in today.
14. “Dr. Great Art! Short, Fun Art History Artecdotes!”
Dr. Mark Staff Brandl’s tidbits take listeners inside the world of visual art by merging historical art knowledge with aesthetic pleasure.
Art history is a part of the Visual Arts podcast collection on RadioPublic. For more audio collections like this, check out RadioPublic’s guide. Begin listening to the most recent episodes here, or download the RadioPublic app for iOS or Android to follow the shows from any of these links.
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