FASTFACTS

  • PC art majors get their own dedicated studio space – so you won’t have to work in your dorm room.
  • Every year, PC’s art majors visit places like New York City and Washington, D.C. to study contemporary and classic art.
  • Art majors organize senior exhibitions themselves – from hanging and lighting the artwork to publicity to coordinating the reception.

What You’ll Study When You Major in Art

By majoring in art, you hone skills that are important in the studio and in the real world. You develop the ability to observe and analyze as you study representative works from art history. Through projects, you learn to be more creative, develop concepts, solve problems, interpret criticism and see your work through to completion.

In the art department at PC, you gain experience in the tools and techniques of both traditional and new media. Your degree covers a wide range of courses in studio art and art history. The major, which totals 45 hours, allows you to choose 18 hours of electives that fit your interests. In your first two years, you take Survey of Western Art, and Studio Foundations courses in 2D and 3D techniques. Along the way, you’ll compile a professional-quality portfolio that includes your artistic statement and images of your work. Your final two years include art projects and seminars that culminate in your senior show in the Harper Center Gallery for the Arts on the PC campus. If eligible, you may also conduct an honors project, which earns you marks of distinction on your transcript and diploma.

MORE INFORMATION

  • CO = Co-requisite
  • POI = Permissions of Instructor
  • PR = Pre-requisite
  • RE = Recommended
  • XL = Cross-listed

CAREER OUTCOMES

Of course, creating art doesn’t require a degree. But if art is your passion, having a bachelor’s degree in art increases your marketability. According to Harvard Business Review, your liberal arts degree shows employers that you can communicate, collaborate, and think critically. Artistic creativity is an obvious and valued asset as graduates enter fields like graphic design, marketing, and art direction.

According to PayScale, those with a bachelor’s degree in studio art earn an average salary of $54,000. Many art majors go on to work as creative directors, project managers, and interior designers.

Graduates from PC’s art department have pursued advanced degrees in fields like art therapy and art education. They have attended notable graduate schools like New York University and Savannah College of Art and Design. Some alumni work in art-related fields such as fine arts education, auctioning, and architecture. Others work in law, medicine, and other fields outside of the arts.

CAREER PROFESSIONS

Museum and Galleries Administration

Collections Management

Restorations

Fine Arts and Crafts (self-employed)

Professor

Graphic Designer

Illustrator

Photographer

Gallery Curator

Full -time artist

Tatoo Artist

Art Ed Teacher

Art Therapist

FACULTY

Mr. Mark Anderson

Marianne and Elwood Gray Lassiter Professor of Art

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Mr. Ralph Paquin, Jr.

Professor of Art

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