Art students will explore a wide variety of classroom and project experiences in the following required foundation courses:

• Design Fundamentals
• Drawing
• Art History
• Art Appreciation

Choose from a range of 2D and 3D studio courses according to your interest:

• Painting
• Sculpture
• Ceramics
• Photography
• Digital Photography
• Glass 

If you are interested in becoming a career artist, consider a class in entrepreneurship.

Why should you join one of Kirkwood’s student art clubs? Students actively involved and engaged with clubs and activities on campus perform better academically. Plus, involvement in clubs related to your interest area helps round out your education. Below are clubs specifically related to students interested in art.

• Student Photographic Society: hosted by Christine Flavin, faculty advisor
• Ceramics Club: hosted by Zach Wollert and Katie Baczeski, faculty advisors
• Glass Club

Kirkwood offers a diverse mixture of clubs and organizations. You can select from a variety of opportunities that suit your personal interests, as well as your program interests. A complete list of clubs and organizations can be found in Student Life.

The following resources can further help you discover careers in art:

• Career Coach provides valuable resources and data for exploring career options in art. Get access to current expectations for beginning, average and upper salaries for positions right here in Iowa. You’ll also get linked to current art employment job postings, as well as associated education and training information.
• The Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP), administered by Indiana University, is another great resource providing annual information about current occupations of arts alumni, where artists reside, education satisfaction, and how many arts alumni have gone on to earn graduate degrees. This source is perfect for exploring majors, skills, degrees, occupations, and earnings.

Regional galleries and museums like the following are great resources: 

• Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
• University of Iowa Museum of Art
• Figge Art Museum
• Des Moines Art Center
• The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Workspaces to check out are:

• The Ceramics Center
• Public Space One

Residencies include:

• Penland School of Crafts
• Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts
• National Park Service Residencies
• Anderson Ranch Art Center

ART-101 Art Appreciation (3)
Provides an overview of art from a historical, contemporary and aesthetic frame of reference. Recommended for non-art majors. Credits: 3, Hours: (3/0/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-133 Drawing (3)
Introduces analysis of visual form and principles of responsive drawing. Includes perspective, chiaroscuro, and figure drawing. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-203 Art History I (3)
Introduces the history of art chronologically, from the prehistoric period in Europe to the early Renaissance. Cultivates a meaningful recognition of different styles, concepts, and concerns through an analysis of selected paintings, sculpture, architecture, and other mediums. Emphasizes the thematic issues prevalent in various time periods and geographic/cultural areas. Examines interpretation, concepts, theories, and comparison of styles and techniques through readings, visual presentations, lecture, and discussion. Credits: 3, Hours: (3/0/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-204 Art History II (3)
Introduces the history of art chronologically, from the Renaissance to the 21st century. Cultivates a meaningful recognition of different styles, concepts, and concerns through an analysis of selected paintings, sculpture, architecture and other mediums. Emphasizes the thematic issues prevalent in various time periods and geographic/cultural areas. Examines interpretation, concepts, theories, and comparison of styles and techniques through readings, visual presentations, lecture, and discussion. Credits: 3, Hours: (3/0/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-120 2D Design (3)

Introduces design concepts and fundamental skills through studio exercises. Explores design principles and elements in two dimensions. Students generate creative ideas and employ a variety of media and materials to gain visual sensitivity through practical experience. Once passed, this course may be repeated one time. Credits: 3, Hours: (3/0/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-163 Sculpture (3)
Introduces techniques and concepts of sculpture using materials such as metal, glass, clay, wood, and plaster. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-164 Sculpture II (3)
Continues the exploration of techniques and concepts of sculptural form. Assignments are geared for progressive development in the individual's ability. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-163; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-165 Sculpture III (3)
Continues the exploration and development of techniques and concepts of sculptural form. Assignments are geared for progressive development of the individual's ability. May be repeated once for credit. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-164; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-173 Ceramics (3)
Introduces wheel-thrown forms and hand-building forms. Students examine methods of working with clay. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-174 Ceramics II (3)
Continues the development of wheel-throwing and hand-building skills. Assignments are geared for progressive development of the individual's ability. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-173; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-175 Ceramics III (3)
Continues the development of wheel-throwing and hand-building skills gained in Ceramics II. Assignments are geared for progressive development of the individual's ability. May be repeated once for credit. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-174; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-220 Ceramics IV (3)
Provides opportunity for students to do advanced individual projects in sculptural and functional ceramics. Assignments are geared for progressive development of the individual's ability. Technical awareness of glaze materials, glaze formulation, firing techniques, and studio operations are covered. Specific objectives are individualized and recorded in a contract signed by instructor and student. May be repeated for credit. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-175; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-420 Introduction to Glass (3)
Introduces contemporary and historic glass working techniques and concepts. Covers fusing, slumping, bead making, kiln casting, and hot glass blowing. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-430 Warm Glass I - Slumping, Fusing, Casting (3)
Investigates contemporary and traditional warm glass working techniques and concepts. Includes the creation of intermediate flat fusing, slumping, and solid cast forms. Involves group and individual demonstrations, discussions and critiques. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-420; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-431 Warm Glass II - Slumping, Fusing, Casting (3)
Explores advanced contemporary and traditional warm glass working techniques and concepts, through lectures, demonstrations, discussions, practice, and critiques. Includes flat fusing, slumping, torch working and solid cast forms. Course may be repeated for credit. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-430; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-440 Hot Glass I - Blowing and Sculpting (3)
Furthers contemporary and traditional hot glass working techniques and concepts. Consists of group and individual demonstrations, discussions and critiques. Includes the creation of hollow forms, solid forms, functional, and non-functional objects using hot glass. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-420; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-441 Hot Glass II - Blowing and Sculpting Casting (3)
Focuses on advanced contemporary and traditional hot glass working techniques, and concepts. Consists of group and individual demonstrations, discussions, and critiques. Introduces the application of bases, the use of color, color manipulation, annealer pick ups, advanced sculpting, and making cane using hot glass. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-440; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-134 Drawing II (3)
Continues skills begun in Drawing. Emphasis on figure drawing from model, various media. Emphasizes development of personal expression and portfolio. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-133; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-138 Figure Drawing (3)
Familiarizes students with drawing the human figure. Course focuses on observational drawing from the model, emphasizing the activity of drawing from life, refining skills in observation, and rendering. Attention is given to formal aspects of drawing, including methods of approach and execution, personal expression, and broader expectations vis-a-vis critique. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-133; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-143 Painting (3)
Introduces oil or acrylic painting. Emphasizes canvas preparation, composition, and craftsmanship. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-144 Painting II (3)
Builds on skills learned in Painting with emphasis on development of independent aesthetic judgments. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-143; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-157 Printmaking (3)
Introduces intaglio, relief and stencil printmaking processes and composition. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-158 Printmaking II (3)
Continues technical development in relief and intaglio techniques; aesthetics stressed. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-157; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-161 Digital Art (3)
Introduces the computer as a tool for visual communication and creation of various types of art in the Fine Art context. Includes raster- and vector-based image making, digital collage, digital image manipulation, basic animation, digital painting and drawing, blending of traditional and digital art-making, and experimentation in a variety of input and final output methods. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Coreq: ART-133, ART-301; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-184 Photography (3)
Provides aesthetic, ethical and philosophical frameworks used in understanding the historical and contemporary worlds of photography. Focuses on both film and digital cameras. Highlights principles and elements of design and photographic composition. Photographs are created in a traditional and contemporary setting for portfolio and display. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-185 Photography II (3)
Continues exploration of photographic capture/concept using traditional and digital media. Emphasizes development of personal vision while exploring the grammar of photography. The frame, focus, motion, and materials used to produce work provide a framework for dictating the visual outcome. Traditional and digital approaches are combined in the production of student portfolios and displays. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-184; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-186 Digital Photography (3)
Develops familiarity and proficiency with digital cameras, computers and printers. Studies technical and aesthetic issues in visual communication and digital image capture/presentation. Students complete presentations, critiques online, portfolio, and displays. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-223 Digital Photography II (3)
Improves proficiency with digital SLR cameras, computer applications, and printing. Students build on technical and aesthetic issues in visual communication and digital image concept, capture, and presentation. Students explore RAW format digital processing and digital photo management applications. Strongly emphasizes digital manipulation. Credits: 3, Hours: (2/2/0/0), Prereq: ART-186; Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A

ART-290 Projects in Photography (1)
Studies photography as a way to communicate or make art. Students propose a personal project that can be created in traditional or digital capture. Work is displayed and weekly meetings mark progress on student project. Credits: 1, Hours: (0/2/0/0), Arts & Sciences Elective Code: A