When you are inspired to create, your future is a blank canvas!
The study of Visual Arts at Kirkwood prepares you for successful transfer into a four-year college or university or entry-level employment in the visual arts field. You’ll work and study in studios, classrooms, and labs filled with the latest equipment and supplies, while gaining skills to pursue work as an independent entrepreneur through diverse coursework in visual arts, business, and entrepreneurship. 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.
This immersive program also provides the opportunity for work-based learning in partnerships with local arts organizations, art educators, and art festivals, giving you experience in the field and exposure to various career paths in visual arts.
Students with a degree in visual arts can enter skilled trades in industries centered around pottery manufacturing, stained glass and glassblowing manufacturing, printing and design, tattooing, gallery coordination, and more.
Possible Career Choices Include:
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
Our visual arts faculty includes highly qualified, enthusiastic instructors — many who are professional visual artists themselves.
School Year: 2024–25
Program Entry Semester: Fall, Spring, Summer
| Fall | Spring | Summer | Fall | Spring | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours per Semester | 17 | 17 | 4 | 15 | 15 | 68 |
| In-State Tuition | $3,689 | $3,689 | $868 | $3,255 | $3,255 | $14,756 |
| Technology Fee per Semester | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $50 | $250 |
| Clinical Expenses (mileage, lodging, screenings, etc.) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Conferences/Seminars | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Course Resources (textbooks, software, etc.) | $640 | $210 | $125 | $505 | $185 | $1,665 |
| Course/Section Fees | $315 | $315 | $0 | $210 | $210 | $1,050 |
| Laptop (required devices) | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Testing Fees | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Third Party Credentials | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Tool Sets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Uniforms | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total Estimated Cost | $4,694 | $4,264 | $1,043 | $4,020 | $3,700 | $17,721 |
Costs provided are estimated and based on the following current tuition rates: $217 (In-State), $290 (Out-of-State), $400 (International).
Fees and costs are subject to change. To view all costs associated with attending college visit our Tuition and Costs page.
Visual Arts 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.
Students in Kirkwood's Visual Arts program are encouraged to join the Kirkwood chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus.
FCCLA is one of eight recognized members of the National Coordinating Council for Career and Technical Student Organizations (NCC-CTSO). CTSOs are co-curricular groups that help students in career and technical education programs further their knowledge and skills by participating in activities, events, and competitions.
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: