Studio Art Major

Develop your ideas by working alongside practicing artists.

A studio art major goes beyond learning how to create art. You'll also discover important skills that will prepare you for a career in the arts or another industry.

Why study studio art at the College of Charleston?

Our program combines artistic training with a liberal arts education. You'll grow creatively and academically. You'll join an active learning environment with hands-on training. You will train in the making and study of art. Create your own program of study by choosing to focus on drawing, sculpture, printmaking, photography or painting.

What will I learn?

Develop your artistic skills. Learn how to shape materials. Explore traditional and contemporary ideas. In addition, you'll gain problem-solving skills. You'll develop skills in research, communication and critical thinking. You'll hone your creativity.

View Curriculum: Studio Art

Program Highlights

You will study the technical, conceptual and historical tools used for art. You'll learn to create in a variety of media. You'll gain experience by working with other artists.
  • Hands-On Learning

    Take a mix of traditional classes and studio courses. Your classes will be active learning environments. You'll get hands-on experience creating projects you're passionate about. Most studio courses meet for approximately four contact hours per week. You'll also have class discussions. You'll get individual attention from our talented faculty.

  • Location

    The College of Charleston is located in the center of the city's art district. You'll be a part of a strong artistic community on and off campus. We offer a wide array of facilities and state-of-the-art equipment for students to use. You may take part in the Spoleto Festival USA and Piccolo Spoleto Festivals.

Careers & Outcomes

You'll be ready to be a working artist when you graduate. A studio art major prepares you for a range of fields.
  • Art conservation
  • Museum curator
  • Education
  • Arts administration
  • Art therapy
  • Gallery owner
  • Web page designer
  • Community arts programming
  • Advertising
  • Filmmaking
  • Auction houses

Our recent Studio Art alumni have gone on to diverse art careers.

  • Directors and curators of art galleries, museums and organizations
  • Art writers for magazines and newspapers
  • Directors of arts and film festivals
  • Web, interior and publication designers
  • Graduate students in top MFA programs
  • Graduates of curatorial masters programs
  • College art professors
  • Commercial photographers
  • Art handlers
  • K-12 art teachers
  • Successful professional artists

 

Play video Accent Image

Artistically Speaking

Difficult conversations are easy to ignore. Three college seniors are discovering how art can help start a dialogue. They're using their art to raise awareness about food insecurity.

Read More
Accent Image

About the Minor

A minor in studio art is perfect for any student interested in art. It's also a good fit for students who want to gain technical and practical skills. You'll gain critical thinking and creative problem solving skills.

View Curriculum: Studio Art Minor