Department of Visual Arts

This is an archived copy of the 2019-20 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://bulletin.ndsu.edu.

Undergraduate Programs of Study

  • Art
  • Art Education

Degrees Offered

  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

Department Description

Art and design students develop creative technique as well as a life-long commitment to visual understanding and expression. Careers that may result from an art degree include commercial art/graphic design, animation, illustration, arts marketing, commercial photography, museum/gallery work, exhibition design, independent studio art, municipal art programs, art criticism, independent art instruction, art media research, arts organizations management, arts-funding agency work, or continued study in graduate school. Emphasis areas include Graphic Design, Ceramics, Drawing, Photography, Painting, Printmaking and Sculpture.  With the degree in Art Education, career opportunities range from K-12 public and private education, community art education centers and museums. 

A comprehensive curriculum in visual arts is offered through a highly supportive studio program augmented by academic art history and theory courses. Emphasis is placed upon developing individual concept and content within a broad context of knowledge and skills. All students in our programs are required to courses that develop digital design skills. The faculty is composed of active studio and design based artists and an art historian.  All have extensive experience in both professional and academic settings. Well-equipped facilities are maintained for graphic design, drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, digital media, sculpture, and ceramics. Academic facilities both in the main library and in the James Falck Departmental Library house books, videos, and publications.

All Art majors develop a strong foundation in digital and hand processes while learning design skills and creative strategy. Then, through experiences in diverse art media, they develop an area of concentration which leads to either one or two public exhibitions depending on degree track.   High achieving students are eligible to compete for scholarships and international opportunities. Art students are encouraged to supplement their education with outside art experiences such as summer internships and to participate in national and international art and design competitions and exhibitions.