When you’re inspired to create, your future is a blank canvas. The study of art at Kirkwood inspires you to develop your curiosity and understanding of traditional and emerging forms of visual art. You’ll work and study in studios, classrooms, and labs filled with the latest equipment and supplies.
Our supportive faculty provide an atmosphere that encourages you to blend your talents, technical skills, and creative aspirations to reach your artistic goals – whether it’s becoming a working artist, curator, gallery owner, art educator, illustrator, or photographer.
You'll exhibit your work in a variety of venues, including sites on campus and in the community, to further your exciting and rewarding career as a professional artist.
As a Liberal Arts student, you will choose electives from a variety of art disciplines that inspire your self-expression. At the same time, you will fulfill core humanities course requirements necessary for transferring to other institutions.
Your visual and performing arts advisor is incredibly knowledgeable and a key resource for guidance on meeting Kirkwood’s graduation requirements, as well as the admission requirements for your transfer school.
Your Advisor:
Karla Scriven
319-398-5896
karla.scriven@kirkwood.edu
336 Cedar Hall
Most people think of professional artists when thinking about what to do with an art degree, but the opportunities for a rewarding career in the arts are endless. Possible career choices include:
Kirkwood can help you explore all of your career options and provide exciting experiences in and out of the classroom to help you find the best path. With a future looking bright for art graduates, you’ll be able to leverage your creativity and love for art into a lifelong career.
Visual and Performing Arts offers nearly $140,000 in arts-related scholarships each year. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 per semester and students enrolled in any of Kirkwood’s career and college transfer programs are encouraged to apply.
Chris and Suzy DeWolf Family Fine Arts Scholarship
Visual and Performing Arts Scholarship
Ira and Doris Larson Fine Arts Endowed Scholarship
Madeline Roemig Bendorf Endowed Scholarship
Get to know the talented faculty our students learn from during their time at Kirkwood.
Art students will explore a wide variety of classroom and project experiences in the following required foundation courses:
Choose from a range of 2D and 3D studio courses according to your interest:
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.
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:
Regional galleries and museums like the following are great resources:
Workspaces to check out are:
Residencies include:
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
“I love how easily I can reach my professors with questions, or just chat! They have helped me immensely with coursework and choosing classes to take to transfer. One of my math professors is the person who helped me settle on my biomedical engineering major.”
Mariam Nawar,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa