School of Visual Arts - Columbia College Chicago
Source: https://www.colum.edu/academics/visual-arts/index.html
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:11
School of Visual Arts - Columbia College Chicago
School of Visual Arts
Get ready to shape your future at the School of Visual Arts at Columbia College Chicago, where we embrace both innovation and artistic tradition. Our programs empower artists, illustrators, and photographers to develop their unique visions while collaborating closely with art historians exploring modern and contemporary art. From mastering traditional techniques to integrating AI in art creation, our curriculum encourages exploration and growth. You'll have access to a diverse range of curated spaces and galleries, fostering opportunities to showcase your work and engage with a vibrant creative community.
Apply Now
Visit Us
Undergraduate Programs
Fine Arts (BFA)
Illustration Bachelor's Degree (BFA)
Photography Bachelor's Degree (BFA)
Visual Arts Bachelor's Degree (BA)
Creative Professional Studies Bachelor's Degree (BA)
Minors
Art History
In the Art History minor, you'll cover the core art history surveys and take courses on modern and contemporary art, non-Western art, and art theory and criticism. Through research and presentations, you'll gain preparation for graduate study or a career in museums, galleries, art criticism, or cultural agencies.
Learn More...
Craft
The Craft Minor is intended to support a variety of students who seek to develop technical skill proficiency and material knowledge that will creatively inform or strategically complement their personal educational journeys and career aspirations. Students complete a 6-credit common experience of a Craft Culture and History course and three foundational classes introducing ideation sketching, and traditional and contemporary crafts of making. Students also complete 12 credits of electives from lower-and mid-division courses. Structured with inclusivity, accessibility, and flexibility in mind, this minor accommodates both those who wish to explore Craft more generally (by taking courses in a variety of media) and those who desire a more focused course of study of a particular tradition. Further, it supports those invested in advanced, project-based explorations of contemporary Craft practice.
Learn More...
Fine Arts
The Fine Arts minor is designed for students from any major who want a studio art experience. You'll learn how to conceptualize and execute fine arts projects using different materials and a variety of skills. This flexible minor allows you to explore a number of different methods and topics. Or, you can focus on a particular medium if you want to develop advanced art practice.
Learn More...
Illustration
The Illustration minor offers students an opportunity to develop drawing and visual storytelling skills using materials and techniques in both traditional and digital media (as well as a hybrid of the two). These illustration skills will expand students' communication abilities and professional possibilities. In required core courses, students will study the basics of drawing, as well as figure drawing, concept art, and the history and studio practice of illustration. Students also choose two electives, allowing them to explore and support their individual career interests.
Learn More...
Photography
A minor in Photography will boost your skills in visual communication and give you the tools and language you’ll need to collaborate across mediums as a designer, artist, filmmaker, journalist, performer, or entrepreneur. Focus your minor studies on a few key foundations courses, and add electives that will help you gain the specific skills you’ll need to feel comfortable behind a camera, in production, and as an editor.
Learn More...
VIEW ALL MINORS
Faculty
Visual Arts faculty are accomplished professionals, including Pulitzer Prize and Guggenheim Fellowship winners, who bridge the gap between classroom and career.
Facilities
The School of Visual Arts offers top-notch facilities designed to help students explore their ideas, work on projects and collaborate with each other.
Galleries & Museums
Our galleries and museums provide diverse perspectives on art, design, media and culture, serving local, national and international audiences.
Publications
Visual Arts students contribute to professional-quality publications of all kinds, gaining invaluable, real-world media experience.
Alumni
Visual Arts alumni are artists, illustrators, and photographers featured at venues like the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Whitney Museum.
Student Work
At Columbia’s School of Visual Arts, our students grow as artists as they develop their skills in illustration, painting, digital art, photography, and more.
Virtual Tour
Launch Experience
News
Guggenheim Fellow Jonathan Castillo MFA ’19 Explores Community, Place, and Power
Apr 22, 2026
Columbia College Chicago alum and faculty Jonathan Castillo shares insight into his work and the ideas shaping his practice.
‘Love You, Love Your Work’ Brings Student Art Crawl to Campus
Apr 07, 2026
A new exhibition showcases more than 150 works from Columbia’s foundation courses across three campus galleries.
April Events at Columbia College Chicago
Mar 31, 2026
A range of performances and experiences showcasing student and faculty artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming events at this time.
More Events
×
×
×
School of Visual Arts
Get ready to shape your future at the School of Visual Arts at Columbia College Chicago, where we embrace both innovation and artistic tradition. Our programs empower artists, illustrators, and photographers to develop their unique visions while collaborating closely with art historians exploring modern and contemporary art. From mastering traditional techniques to integrating AI in art creation, our curriculum encourages exploration and growth. You'll have access to a diverse range of curated spaces and galleries, fostering opportunities to showcase your work and engage with a vibrant creative community.
Apply Now
Visit Us
Undergraduate Programs
Fine Arts (BFA)
Illustration Bachelor's Degree (BFA)
Photography Bachelor's Degree (BFA)
Visual Arts Bachelor's Degree (BA)
Creative Professional Studies Bachelor's Degree (BA)
Minors
Art History
In the Art History minor, you'll cover the core art history surveys and take courses on modern and contemporary art, non-Western art, and art theory and criticism. Through research and presentations, you'll gain preparation for graduate study or a career in museums, galleries, art criticism, or cultural agencies.
Learn More...
Craft
The Craft Minor is intended to support a variety of students who seek to develop technical skill proficiency and material knowledge that will creatively inform or strategically complement their personal educational journeys and career aspirations. Students complete a 6-credit common experience of a Craft Culture and History course and three foundational classes introducing ideation sketching, and traditional and contemporary crafts of making. Students also complete 12 credits of electives from lower-and mid-division courses. Structured with inclusivity, accessibility, and flexibility in mind, this minor accommodates both those who wish to explore Craft more generally (by taking courses in a variety of media) and those who desire a more focused course of study of a particular tradition. Further, it supports those invested in advanced, project-based explorations of contemporary Craft practice.
Learn More...
Fine Arts
The Fine Arts minor is designed for students from any major who want a studio art experience. You'll learn how to conceptualize and execute fine arts projects using different materials and a variety of skills. This flexible minor allows you to explore a number of different methods and topics. Or, you can focus on a particular medium if you want to develop advanced art practice.
Learn More...
Illustration
The Illustration minor offers students an opportunity to develop drawing and visual storytelling skills using materials and techniques in both traditional and digital media (as well as a hybrid of the two). These illustration skills will expand students' communication abilities and professional possibilities. In required core courses, students will study the basics of drawing, as well as figure drawing, concept art, and the history and studio practice of illustration. Students also choose two electives, allowing them to explore and support their individual career interests.
Learn More...
Photography
A minor in Photography will boost your skills in visual communication and give you the tools and language you’ll need to collaborate across mediums as a designer, artist, filmmaker, journalist, performer, or entrepreneur. Focus your minor studies on a few key foundations courses, and add electives that will help you gain the specific skills you’ll need to feel comfortable behind a camera, in production, and as an editor.
Learn More...
VIEW ALL MINORS
Faculty
Visual Arts faculty are accomplished professionals, including Pulitzer Prize and Guggenheim Fellowship winners, who bridge the gap between classroom and career.
Facilities
The School of Visual Arts offers top-notch facilities designed to help students explore their ideas, work on projects and collaborate with each other.
Galleries & Museums
Our galleries and museums provide diverse perspectives on art, design, media and culture, serving local, national and international audiences.
Publications
Visual Arts students contribute to professional-quality publications of all kinds, gaining invaluable, real-world media experience.
Alumni
Visual Arts alumni are artists, illustrators, and photographers featured at venues like the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Whitney Museum.
Student Work
At Columbia’s School of Visual Arts, our students grow as artists as they develop their skills in illustration, painting, digital art, photography, and more.
Virtual Tour
Launch Experience
News
Guggenheim Fellow Jonathan Castillo MFA ’19 Explores Community, Place, and Power
Apr 22, 2026
Columbia College Chicago alum and faculty Jonathan Castillo shares insight into his work and the ideas shaping his practice.
‘Love You, Love Your Work’ Brings Student Art Crawl to Campus
Apr 07, 2026
A new exhibition showcases more than 150 works from Columbia’s foundation courses across three campus galleries.
April Events at Columbia College Chicago
Mar 31, 2026
A range of performances and experiences showcasing student and faculty artists from diverse backgrounds and disciplines.
Upcoming Events
There are no upcoming events at this time.
More Events
×
×
×