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Art

Major | Minor

Find Your Creative Voice & Shape the World Through Art

Student in Art class

Are you a creative individual attracted to the visual and fine arts? Do you strive to carve out your own niche? As an art major or minor at Goshen College, you may choose from a variety of concentrations tailored to different artistic passions and career paths, including:

  • Art Entrepreneurship
  • Studio Art
  • Visual Arts Education (K-12)
  • Pre-Architecture
  • Pre-Art Therapy

At Goshen College, you’ll be part of a long tradition of preparing students for successful careers in visual and graphic design or top graduate art programs. Our art program gives you the freedom to explore your creative interests while building the skills needed for a dynamic career. Whether you choose to major or minor in art, you can blend your passion for visual expression with other fields of expertise, shaping a path that’s uniquely yours.

Why Study Art at Goshen College?

  • Small class sizes with faculty who are practicing artists.
  • Experiential learning opportunities through professional studio visits, field trips, public art installations and unique courses like Arts in London
  • Career readiness with internships in galleries, museums, studios and more

When you graduate from Goshen College, you’ll leave with both creative and practical skills, ready to pursue an imaginative and rewarding career in the arts.

Career Paths for GC Art Graduates

Art and design shape every part of our world, from branding and architecture to education and fine arts. As a Goshen College art student, you’ll develop the skills to turn your passion into a thriving career. Our alumni have found success in a variety of industries, working as:

  • Practicing Studio Artists – painters, ceramicists, jewelers, printmakers, sculptors
  • Graphic designers, photographers, illustrators and art directors
  • Architects and interior designers, fashion designers, and product designers
  • Art teachers in K-12 and higher education or art therapists
  • Arts administrators, curators, and museum educators
  • Small business owners and creative entrepreneurs

Where will your creativity take you?

For more information on career possibilities, visit the Occupational Outlook Handbook or explore professional associations like the American Institute of Graphic Arts and the American Art Therapy Association.

Curriculum & Credits

Through hands-on classes, gallery exhibitions, student art sales, and immersive experiences like our Arts in London course, you’ll develop both your artistic voice and the practical skills to thrive in fields like graphic design, education, architecture, photography, and more.

All students complete a 29-credit core and choose a concentration to complete the 35–45 credit hour requirement.

Concentrations to choose from include:

  • Teaching Art (K–12 Certification):If you’re passionate about inspiring the next generation of artists, this track is for you. You’ll take a combination of art and education courses while gaining hands-on (student-teaching) experience through student teaching in local classrooms. When you graduate, you’ll be certified to teach art in grades K-12.
  • Art Entrepreneurship: Want to turn your art into a business? This concentration blends business and marketing courses with specialized studio projects and internships in fields like jewelry, ceramics, and photography, helping you build the skills to succeed as a creative entrepreneur.
  • Studio Art:If you dream of becoming a gallery artist, pursuing graduate studies, or teaching art, this track gives you the opportunity to develop your artistic focus. You’ll work closely with faculty mentors—who are practicing artists themselves—to refine your skills and build your portfolio.
  • Pre-Architecture: A pre-professional program that blends visual design, communication skills, math, and physics, preparing students for graduate studies in architecture.
  • Pre-Art Therapy: A pre-professional program that combines studio art experience with coursework in psychology. This path prepares students for graduate studies in Art Therapy.

Learn more about the courses and concentrations in our course catalog.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

Most GC students receive financial aid, including merit-based scholarships for full-time junior and senior art or graphic design majors:

  • Arthur L. and Cordelia Sprunger Scholarship
  • Raymond A. Yoder Scholarship

For more scholarship opportunities, visit our financial aid page.

Meet our Faculty

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