AP Art History

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About the Course

AP Art History offers a mix of art and history that’s more than just memorizing dates and names. Spanning cultures across all continents and from prehistoric to contemporary times, in this course you’ll explore the different social and cultural beliefs, political and economic systems, and scientific and technological advancements that have led to the creation of well-known sculptures, paintings, buildings, and many other types of art.

Skills You'll Learn

Evaluating works of art from different eras and cultures
Seeing connections to artistic traditions, styles, or practices in a work of art
Developing a theory about the meaning of a work of art and explaining and supporting your interpretation

Equivalency and Prerequisites

College Course Equivalent

A two-semester college introductory art history course

Recommended Prerequisites

None

Exam Date

Thu, May 15, 2025

8 AM Local

AP Art History Exam

This is the regularly scheduled date for the AP Art History Exam.

Details Add to Calendar

About the Units

The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.

Course Content

Unit 1: Global Prehistory, 30,000–500 BCE

You’ll learn about the origins of human art across the globe during the stone ages.

Topics may include:

Human migration and a survey of prehistoric art techniques
Theories and methods of early art making
Collaboration with other disciplines, archaeology, and an introduction to historical interpretation

On The Exam

approximately 4% of multiple-choice score

Unit 2: Ancient Mediterranean, 3500 BCE–300 CE

You’ll study a broad range of artistic works from the civilizations of the ancient Near East and Egypt, as well as the Greek, Etruscan, and Roman cultures.

Topics may include:

The cultural context of ancient empires
The role of religion and royalty in early art
Exchange of ideas and the influence of outside cultures
The literary legacy and ongoing influence on artistic traditions

On The Exam

approximately 15% of multiple-choice score

Unit 3: Early Europe and Colonial Americas, 200–1750 CE

You’ll explore the evolution of art from the early middle ages through the mid-18th century in Europe and the Americas.

Unit 4: Later Europe and Americas, 1750–1980 CE

You’ll study the effect of rapid societal change on art from the modern period in Europe and the Americas.

Topics may include:

The effect of developments like industrialization and urbanization
Impacts of modern scientific and philosophical thinking
Modern styles and revival movements
The rise of corporate patronage, art galleries, and museums
New technologies, media, and art forms
Globalization and expressions of cultural exchange

On The Exam

approximately 21% of multiple-choice score

Unit 5: Indigenous Americas, 1000 BCE–1980 CE

You’ll understand the roots and evolution of indigenous American art from the ancient civilizations of Central and South America to Native North American societies.

Unit 6: Africa, 1100–1980 CE

You’ll explore the diversity of African art and the role it played in the many and varied societies on the continent.

Unit 7: West and Central Asia, 500 BCE–1980 CE

You’ll learn about the techniques, materials, and evolution of art throughout West and Central Asia.

Unit 8: South, East, and Southeast Asia, 300 BCE–1980 CE

You’ll study the tradition of Asian art from prehistoric times to modern works.

Topics may include:

Advances in technology and the effect on media and techniques
Unique art forms and imagery associated with Asian religions
The role of court life and social stratification
The effect of trade and cultural interchanges

On The Exam

approximately 8% of multiple-choice score

Unit 9: The Pacific, 700-1980 CE

You’ll study the wide-ranging types of art from the vast network of islands in the Pacific Ocean stretching from Australia to Hawaii.

Topics may include:

Forms of and materials used in Pacific art
Ritual and cultural significance of artifacts
History of Pacific island civilization, trade, and migration patterns
The role of the ocean, and familial, religious, and historical depictions

On The Exam

approximately 4% of multiple-choice score

Unit 10: Global Contemporary, 1980 CE to Present

You’ll study the many forms of modern art from across the globe.

Topics may include:

Transcendence of traditional forms of art and technology
Diverse venues and audiences for art
Subverting expectations and the “mash-up” as an act of creation
Global influences on art
New types of artists and new theories of criticism

On The Exam

approximately 11% of multiple-choice score

Course Resources

Link

AP Classroom Resources

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Khan Academy: AP Art History

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AP Art History Course and Exam Description

This is the core document for the course. It clearly lays out the course content and describes the exam and AP Program in general.

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AP Art History

About the Course

Skills You'll Learn

Equivalency and Prerequisites

College Course Equivalent

Recommended Prerequisites

Exam Date

AP Art History Exam

About the Units

Course Content

Unit 1: Global Prehistory, 30,000–500 BCE

Unit 2: Ancient Mediterranean, 3500 BCE–300 CE

Unit 3: Early Europe and Colonial Americas, 200–1750 CE

Unit 4: Later Europe and Americas, 1750–1980 CE

Unit 5: Indigenous Americas, 1000 BCE–1980 CE

Unit 6: Africa, 1100–1980 CE

Unit 7: West and Central Asia, 500 BCE–1980 CE

Unit 8: South, East, and Southeast Asia, 300 BCE–1980 CE

Unit 9: The Pacific, 700-1980 CE

Unit 10: Global Contemporary, 1980 CE to Present

Search AP Credit Policies

Course Resources

AP Classroom Resources

Khan Academy: AP Art History

AP Art History Course and Exam Description

Additional Information

Thank you.

AP Art History

Not a Student?

AP Art History

About the Course

Skills You'll Learn

Equivalency and Prerequisites

College Course Equivalent

Recommended Prerequisites

Exam Date

AP Art History Exam

About the Units

Course Content

Unit 1: Global Prehistory, 30,000–500 BCE

Unit 2: Ancient Mediterranean, 3500 BCE–300 CE

Unit 3: Early Europe and Colonial Americas, 200–1750 CE

Unit 4: Later Europe and Americas, 1750–1980 CE

Unit 5: Indigenous Americas, 1000 BCE–1980 CE

Unit 6: Africa, 1100–1980 CE

Unit 7: West and Central Asia, 500 BCE–1980 CE

Unit 8: South, East, and Southeast Asia, 300 BCE–1980 CE

Unit 9: The Pacific, 700-1980 CE

Unit 10: Global Contemporary, 1980 CE to Present

Search AP Credit Policies

Course Resources

AP Classroom Resources

Khan Academy: AP Art History

AP Art History Course and Exam Description

See Where AP Can Take You

Additional Information