I'm ready to share my art with the world.
You’ve always seen things a little differently. For you, art is a personal, tangible form of expression, and you’re not particularly interested in compromising your art for anyone. You'd rather fight for your ideas. And if you’re ready to turn your passion into a career where you can do what you love—whether as a fine artist, designer, educator, exhibit curator, or another pursuit—you need to start with our Visual Arts degree program. As your future begins to take shape, you’ll be surrounded and inspired by other talented, creatively driven students. And you’ll be pushed, challenged, and, above all else, supported by experienced faculty* who are committed to helping you succeed in the real world. The only thing we can promise you is that it won’t be easy. Just like most things that are worthwhile.
*Credentials and experience levels vary by faculty and instructors.
It's time to take the next step.
A Bachelor’s degree is a great way to turn your passion for art into the start of a career. But if you’ve been working long enough to get a real-world sense of what you—and the industry—are looking for, a master’s degree could be in your future. You’ll focus on a primary medium and work closely with instructors to develop your own personal ideas and artistic process as you explore areas like history, aesthetics, and world cultures to broaden your understanding of contemporary art. You’ll document your influences and thought processes through a written thesis and exhibition of your work. And with your graduate degree, you’ll be ready to become a practicing fine artist, an artist-in-residence, an exhibition curator, educator or designer.
Degrees Offered
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Arts
Master of Fine Arts in Visual Arts
What Will I Study?
I just need a chance to show what I can do.
The curriculum for both the Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs blend traditional skills and today’s technology. The focus is on helping you build the key skills you’ll need to make a living in the world of fine arts. You'll study:
Bachelor of Fine Arts- Concept Design
- Art Direction
- Layout Design
- Image Manipulation
- Digital Illustration
- Observational Drawing
- Design Fundamentals
- Digital Color Theory
- Three Dimensional Design
- Figure Drawing
- Figure Sculpture
- Ceramics
- Drawing
- Principles of Photography
- Painting
- Studio
- Digital Art
- Intermediate Layout Design
- Narrative and Sequence
- Web Design
- Printmaking
- Professional Development
- Three Dimensional Media in Illustration
- Internship
- Animal Imagery and Archetypes
- Public Art and Entrepreneurship
- Mural Techniques
- Digital Matte Painting
- Exhibition and Portfolio Development
- Issues in Contemporary Art History
- Modern Art Seminar
- Critical Theories in Art History
- Art Deco Seminar
- Teaching Methodologies
- Critical Thinking and Writing
- Seminar on Aesthetics
- Idea Generation and the Creative Process
- World Cultures and Ethnographic Studies
- Methodology of Discovery
- Graduate Studio
- Thesis Research Seminar
- Exploration of Diverse Media
- Thesis Writing Seminar
- Graduate Seminar
- Professional Development Seminar
I'm looking for my proving ground.
The Art Institutes system of schools, creativity is our core, our calling, our culture. Our Visual Arts degree program is built on that creative foundation. It’s also built on our knowledge that a creative career is not for the faint of heart. Because it’s tough out there, it’s tough in here. But along with that toughness comes all the support you’ll need at every step along the way. That’s why we provide the mentoring and real-world experience to help you prevail, with faculty* who’ve worked in the field, along with opportunities to learn that go far beyond our kitchens. You’ll be encouraged and expected to be bold. To take risks. To push yourself and the people around you. It won’t be easy. In fact, it’ll be the hardest thing you’ll ever love.
*Credentials and experience levels vary by faculty and instructors.
