Why Study Art?
The study and practice of art provides the opportunity to express your creativity and become a strong communicator who considers new ideas, takes criticism well, completes projects, and works both independently and in groups. These skills will prepare you for careers in many settings, including schools, museums, galleries, nonprofits, hospitals, and advertising and graphic design agencies.
Art (BA) Concentrations
Choose a concentration of study that focuses on your talents and interests.
Fine Arts
Gain historical knowledge of art, technical training in different art forms, and the ability to become a thoughtful artist, ready to practice or pursue graduate study.
Graphic Design
Become a visual communicator, able to use your creativity and technical skills to carry projects from idea to reality in a professional environment.
Faculty
As practicing artists who actively produce and exhibit work, faculty foster your artistic and personal growth while helping you build community with your classmates. They also draw on connections to bring professional artists to jury student shows, exhibit their work, talk to classes, and meet with students.
Gallery Locations
Carlson Tower Art Gallery and Brandel Library both feature the work of students, faculty, and emerging and established artists. Students also have opportunities to participate in juried shows and work as gallery assistants, collaborating with classmates and faculty to curate exhibits. Each spring the Carlson Tower Gallery is home to our Senior Art Show, displaying the work of graduating students.
Scholarships
We offer promising students—art majors and non-art majors alike—a limited number of renewable art scholarships of up to $1,000 annually, awarded after a review of a student’s portfolio. This scholarship, offered in addition to other scholarships and grants, is renewable for four years.
Internships
Get hands-on experience to enhance your studio and classroom training. Faculty draw on their connections and knowledge of the dynamic Chicago art scene to help you land an internship that suits your interests. Art majors have interned at the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Field Museum, the Museum of Surgical Science, Tony Wight Gallery, Leo Burnett, and the Evangelical Covenant Church denominational offices.
Art Therapy
Be prepared to apply for a graduate degree in the healing powers of art through our pre-professional track, which combines art and psychology courses.