About the Art Major
Art is a way to think, act and communicate—a means of personal expression, as well as of participating in a larger conversation with both the past and contemporary culture. In Carroll University’s art program, you’ll explore the relationship between the worlds of intellect and imagination. You’ll learn to develop and nurture a creative process that moves your work and ideas into unexpected and exciting directions. Carroll's art curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and prepares its graduates for a lifelong journey of art making and art appreciation that insists on engagement with the ideas of our times and on personal growth.
What Can You Do with an Art Major?
Our program focuses on both depth and breadth of knowledge. Our students are prepared for success in a variety of fields, including teaching, museum and gallery work, art therapy, design, graduate school or working as a professional artist. At Carroll, we study skill development in a variety of media, including painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics and photography and you’ll be encouraged to bring your knowledge of other disciplines into your work. Our emphasis quickly turns to content, challenging you to think more deeply about the nature of your work, ideas and influences. You’ll have the advantage of studying in small classes with faculty who are working artists.
Our spaces include several large studios, the campus gallery, student exhibition areas, an art library and three MAC computer labs. Our students gain experience outside the classroom through participating in internships and have an opportunity in their senior year to exhibit in a professional gallery in the media of their choice. You’ll leave Carroll prepared with a career-ready portfolio.
The art education program prepares you for K-12 art teacher licensure when paired with Carroll’s secondary education major. Art education students take a broad array of art courses: drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry and photography. You’ll also focus in a medium and concept of your choice as a senior, which culminates in an exhibition of your work in Carroll’s gallery before graduation. This combination of broad exposure to many areas of art, specialization in one, as well as education classes through Carroll’s Education Program prepares you to teach K-12 art. Art education candidates spend their last semester off-campus, student-teaching full-time.
Art education students benefit from Carroll’s small size where art and education faculty work closely together to guide students successfully through both programs.