BA in Studio Art • Academics • Beloit College

Professor George Williams encourages his students to paint from life, as well as to find their own style.

Experiment, create, and communicate visually

What is Studio Art?

Studio art is the study and practice of making visual art through hands-on experimentation, creative exploration, and thoughtful critique. It focuses on how ideas become images, objects, performances, or digital works. As a studio art major, you learn how to work in a variety of media while developing your creative voice, your technical skills, and your ability to communicate your artistic vision.

The field brings together creative thinking, craftsmanship, visual storytelling, and cultural awareness. You will explore concepts in drawing, design, painting, sculpture, photography, digital media, and graphic design while examining how art connects to communities and their histories.

Why study Studio Art?

Studio art is ideal for students who want to grow as makers, problem solvers, and creative thinkers. You will learn to express ideas visually, build strong portfolios, and understand how art influences the world around you. The major encourages you to experiment, push boundaries, and gain confidence in your work. Many students choose studio art because it pairs naturally with fields such as media studies, education, psychology, theatre, or creative writing.

A degree in studio art prepares you for artistic careers as well as roles that value creativity, collaboration, and design thinking. Graduates bring their skills into museums, galleries, communications, digital media, nonprofit work, design, education, and arts management.

Why study Studio Art at Beloit College?

Beloit College’s studio art program is rooted in hands-on learning, personal mentorship, and opportunities to create for real audiences. You will be part of a vibrant campus arts community that brings visiting artists, exhibitions, and collaborative projects directly into your classes and that encourages you to explore a range of mediums and experiment with nontraditional forms.

Students have access to Gallery ABBA, Beloit’s student-run gallery, that regularly showcases undergraduate work. Senior studio art majors are given their own studio space in the Wright Museum of Art to prepare a full exhibition during their final semester. These exhibitions are professionally mounted and serve as a powerful capstone experience.

Faculty work closely with students to develop a strong foundation in craft, conceptual thinking, and art historical awareness as they discover their own artistic voices. Campus culture supports artists at every stage, and Beloit College students often work across disciplines, creating performances, installations, book art, video work, or multimedia collaborations with peers in theatre, music, or creative writing.

With arts and culture active in the City of Beloit, the program invites students to stay curious, stay involved, and grow through practice.

Details

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Degrees

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Specialization

Major

Credits Required

11 units (44 semester hours)

Format

In-person

Related Departments & Schools

Related Offerings

Studio Art curriculum

Students learn through hands-on work in multiple visual art media while exploring artistic history, contemporary practices, and professional skills like portfolio development and exhibition design.

Studio Art Major (11 Units)

Nine departmental units:
1. Art 103 and 115.
2. Art History 245.
3. Five units of studio courses in a minimum of two media.* Of the 5 courses:
  1. At least 2 must be 200-level.
  2. At least 1 must be 300-level.
4. Art 384 and 385 (.5 each): Senior seminar must be taken in the fall and spring terms, and each student’s senior exhibit occurs in his or her last term in residency. While the exhibit is on display, art faculty conduct an oral examination with the student.
Two supporting units:
1. Two elective units chosen from Art History 110, 210, or 250, or Media Studies 100, 110, or 250, or Philosophy 232.
Writing/Communication requirement: The department of art teaches and refines skills that are essential for navigating our image-saturated world. Studio art and art history majors are engaged in interpreting, utilizing, and contributing to visual culture; developing the skills of visual, verbal, and written communication is an essential component in these endeavors. Through formal and informal writing assignments, oral presentations, and group critiques, students gain a level of comfort and ease in self-expression and effective communication.

*Students intending to certify to teach in schools are advised to distribute these units across a wide range of media, in consultation with their advisor.

These courses cover foundational techniques, conceptual frameworks, and culminating studio experiences.

[ART 115] Introduction to Drawing and Design: This studio course introduces the basic concepts, techniques, and processes of design and drawing. Pencil, ink, collage, charcoal, and other media are used to foster a comprehensive understanding of the descriptive, formal, and expressive possibilities of drawing and design.
[ART 125] Introduction to New Media: This course is designed to investigate the basic techniques, concepts, and practices of digital imaging, as well as to support students’ conceptual development. The application of photographic and graphic-related software, such as Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator Creative Suite, are introduced in this course.
[ART 205] Introduction to Painting: This course is an introduction and interrogation of the painting process. Students investigate the ways in which a visual language is constructed and the importance of theory, philosophy, and practice. Students are introduced to the relationship between the intuitive and cognitive creative process.
[ART 384] Senior Seminar in Art: A course concerned with theoretical and practical issues related to the senior art exhibition, including installation practices and publicity. The course also covers career issues such as artist résumés, graduate school portfolio applications, and copyright law.

Studio Art outcomes

Studio art majors graduate with a refined artistic voice, strong technical abilities, and the confidence to share their work with real audiences.

Students completing the Bachelor of Arts in studio art can:

Create original artwork through experimentation, critique, and dedicated studio practice.
Analyze visual culture and its forms.
Understand the historical and contemporary contexts of their work.
Communicate effectively through images, installations, and multimedia pieces.
Build portfolios that document and present their artistic development.
Curate exhibitions to share their work with diverse audiences.
Develop professional skills that prepare them for creative careers or graduate study in the arts.

Advertising & Creative Development: Develop concepts, produce materials, and support campaigns that promote products or services. ($50,000 → $110,000+)
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development: Plan ventures, test ideas, and coordinate operations for new or growing businesses. (highly variable)
Event & Production Management: Plan performances or events, coordinate logistics, and support smooth creative and technical operations. ($35,000 → $80,000+)
Fashion, Costume & Apparel Design: Create garments, explore materials, and develop visual concepts for artistic or commercial use. ($35,000 → $80,000+)
Film, Video & Multimedia Production: Create visual or audio content by planning, filming, editing, or producing multimedia projects. ($45,000 → $90,000+)
Fine Arts Practice & Exhibition: Create original artworks, develop studio practice, and exhibit work in galleries or community spaces. (highly variable)
Illustration & Visual Storytelling: Develop illustrations, characters, and visual narratives for publishing, entertainment, or digital media. ($40,000 → $90,000+)
Interior & Spatial Design: Shape interior environments by planning layouts, selecting materials, and supporting aesthetic and functional goals. ($45,000 → $80,000+)

Reviewed on November 2025. Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salary figures shown here are estimates. Actual pay will vary by position, industry, location, education, and experience. Some pathways and positions may require additional education or certifications. For more detailed information, please explore reputable career and salary resources.

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