Curate Your Listening Experience with the Best Art Podcasts

It's never too late to learn about the famous art and artists that have shaped our world. Art historian Allyson Healey created her podcast Art History for All for art lovers, haters, and those on the fence alike. Each episode looks at a specific work of art and explores its significance and larger impact on the field. It's an enjoyable and non-judgmental space for listeners who want to learn more about why art matters.

"Art for All." With its slogan, Jo's Art History Podcast tells you everything you need to know right up front. An art historian and curator, host Jo McLaughlin aims to disrupt the elitism surrounding art history by creating a space for people from all walks of life, education levels, and interests to talk about the art they find meaningful. Episodes explore everything from paintings, sculpture, and art patronage to architecture, jewelry, and ceramics, promising that we can learn from art history in all its forms. And Jo's enthusiasm and unique approach to art education is truly welcoming to all listeners.

There are no stupid questions on this 10-episode series about modern and contemporary art hosted by actor and comedian Abbi Jacobson. In collaboration with the Museum of Modern Art, Jacobson uses her art degree to crack the world of art wide open for all listeners. She also interviews artists and curators, as well as fascinating friends and creatives like RuPaul and Questlove, about the role of art in our day-to-day. A Piece of Work explores everything from Andy Warhol's art of self-promotion to the widely underappreciated art of emojis.

Actor and art lover Russell Tovey teams up with gallerist Robert Diament for a podcast dedicated to proving that art really is for everyone. Talk Art seeks to show how art connects us and improves our lives in countless ways. The hosts regularly interview artists and curators, as well as interesting figures in music, journalism, film, and television, including star of The Mandalorian, Pedro Pascal. For listeners who find talking about art intimidating, this podcast is a great, accessible way to learn more about this fascinating field and its often-surprising fans.

Artists are often depicted in popular media as "starving,” "tortured," or otherwise miserable. But artist Preston M. Smith thinks that's a disservice to creatives and those hoping to pursue a life in art. In The Living Artist, Smith shares his personal insights and career experiences to show the wonderful, joyful side of life as an artist. He also brings his sense of wonder and humor to interviews with fascinating—and thriving—working artists from around the world.

Are you interested in a career in art but scared to take the leap? Are you a professional artist trying to advance your business? Sergio Gomez is a trusted, positive, and practical advisor whose podcast does exactly what the title promises, taking you to that next level. Along with sharing his own tips, he interviews other artists about their success and lessons learned. The Artist Next Level Podcast is a must-listen for anyone trying to make a big move in their art career.

There's a lot more to life and work as an artist besides making art. When Nicole Mueller and Amanda Adams were establishing themselves as artists, they quickly realized their lack of education and skills on the business side of art. Sensing that they weren't alone, they started Beyond the Studio as a place to have open discussions with artists about their business plans and goals, financial practices, time management, collaborating with others, setting boundaries, burnout, and much more. For those working in the art world, this podcast offers lots of valuable insider tips.

If you're looking for a way to inspire your next project or get back on the path to living your creative potential, illustrator Andy J. Pizza is exactly the accountability buddy you need. His podcast Creative Pep Talk serves as a weekly check-in for artists, with creativity tips and tricks, engaging storytelling, and self-esteem boosts. Every few weeks, Pizza is joined by creatives—artist Lisa Congdon, poet Morgan Harper Nichols, and comedian Abbi Jacobson are among the past guests—who share their own processes and pointers for thinking outside the box.

Learning about art history may bring to mind fusty college professors and dusty old textbooks. But on ArtCurious, contemporary art curator Jennifer Dasal shows listeners that art history can be fascinating, surprising, bizarre, and thrilling. By looking into the most interesting figures and stories behind famous art, Dasal takes listeners on a journey that is anything but boring. Dasal's enthusiasm for her subject matter is infectious, and ArtCurious is sure to educate you while also entertaining you. (And if you like the show, be sure to check out Dasal's audiobook, ArtCurious).

Art Slice is a fascinating, funny, and out-of-the-box podcast for listeners curious about American art history from an artist's perspective. Visual artists Stephanie Dueñas and Russell Shoemaker believe in art history without stuffy formalities and gatekeeping. They dig into some of the prominent figures you may already know, as well as fantastic artists overlooked during their time because of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or class. Each conversation ties the topic back to today's world and why it's important for contemporary art.

Art goes far beyond paintings and other forms of visual art, and Decomposed shows that the history of classical music is just as crucial to understanding the art world as other mediums. Classical concert pianist Jade Simmons takes listeners on a journey through the famed figures, secrets, and scandals of the classical music world, while revealing lessons today's musicians and artists can learn from them. Each story is accompanied by samples from symphonies, operas, and other musical masterpieces.

Though you may not be able to drop into an acclaimed art museum every day, you can access museum curators and their collections from the comfort of your own home through podcasts like this one. Hosted by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, Talks invites you to join artists, historians, filmmakers, musicians, and curators as they explore how learning about art and its histories can help us better understand the world around us and our shared humanity.

Wish you had more friends to chat with about your love of art and art history? The Art History Babes is the podcast for you! Four friends who love art, Corrie, Ginny, Nat, and Jen host a show that balances historical info, quick facts, and fun convos about art and all things visual culture. They have three styles of episodes—their regular model that’s the perfect blend of college seminar and house party; short duration "Art History Babe Briefs" about specific topics; and "Hot Takes," which mixes things up by focusing on topics outside of traditionally recognized art history.

Sometimes, all it takes to get passionate about history is the right person to teach it to you. Former art history professor Tamar Avishai is bursting with excitement for her subject matter, so she started her podcast The Lonely Palette to make art history accessible for all. Avishai's beautiful descriptions bring visual art to life through your ears, and her explanations of the history, psychology, and sociology behind famous artwork is sure to amaze you.

Women artists haven't always gotten their due in society and art history—an unfortunate fact that art historian and curator Katy Hessel aims to change. In The Great Women Artists Podcast, Hessel expertly interviews both women artists about their work and historians, writers, and curators about women artists who inspire them. With a blend of contemporary and historical artists to explore, this podcast will give you a peek behind the palette of some truly fascinating and influential figures.

Plenty of podcasts dig into the history of art, but The Week in Art is more interested in the current and future state of the art world. Produced by the team at The Art Newspaper and hosted by Ben Luke, this podcast takes an in-depth look at breaking art news from New York to London, from Paris to Seoul. Special guests help examine how new developments change the art landscape, as well as how political and social issues intersect with the art world. Listening to The Week in Art will help you keep your finger on the pulse of today's art scene.

If you love art and gossip, then this podcast is for you. When Danielle Krysa, aka the Jealous Curator, studied art history, her favorite part was discovering the juicy details of what was going on behind the scenes for the artists while they were making their iconic works. In Art for Your Ear, Krysa interviews contemporary artists and creatives about how the forces in their personal lives impact their work and their ties to other artists. This podcast will show you that there's always more to art than meets the eye—and teach you about phenomenal rising star artists before they make the history books.

Photography is a unique and fascinating art form that also has wide-reaching implications for personal privacy. Mirror with a Memory, a six-episode podcast hosted by acclaimed artist Martine Syms, looks at how photography intersects with artificial intelligence and surveillance. Syms interviews prominent artists, creatives, and thinkers about photography's role in our perceptions of the environment, international borders, racial bias, and many other aspects of our lives.

You can learn a lot about an artist's work through their inspirations and mentors. On A Brush With…, another podcast from The Art Newspaper, journalist Ben Luke interviews high-profile artists from around the world and asks them about the contemporary and historical artists who inspire them, their most beloved museums to visit, their creative process, and the purpose of art in our lives. It's a phenomenal way to peek into the artist's studio and learn more about the figures shaping the art landscape.