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Art program

Undergrad major Undergrad minor Teacher license

Photography. Design. Sculptures. Paintings.

Art is all around us. Studying art leads to distinct career paths, depending on your specialization. A degree in art also builds skills such as creativity, persistence, problem solving and critical thinking, which are valuable in careers outside the field.

UWL's Art Department blends liberal studies education with small studio classes where students gain hands-on experience. The department offers a creative and educational environment that encourages intellectual development, visual literacy and artistic production. All art majors will gain professional experience installing their own senior exhibition and learn about the business of art in the professional practices course.

Doing undergraduate research with Associate Professor Kate Hawkes helped me to expand my knowledge base. Her expertise, kindness and patience has enabled me to grow my confidence and showed me that art truly has a voice in the social and political world. I left UWL knowing I wanted to continue creating art for the rest of my life.

Emiko Wilks

Portrait of Emiko Wilks

Art careers

Teaching: The need for certified/licensed K-12 art teachers continues to be in high demand. School districts consistently seek UWL graduates in art education due to the rigor of UWL's program. UWL offers an Art Education major for those interested in this path.

Business and industry: Graduates may seek employment in areas of business and industry such as visual arts, multimedia design, illustration, communications and public relations.

Create and sell: Opportunities also exist for artists to make all or part of their living through sales of their works. Advanced training and hard work are essential, but individual competence is of the utmost importance.

Earn an advanced degree: With an ongoing need for professors of art, the UWL Art Department encourages and aids capable art graduates in pursuing master of fine arts (M.F.A.) and doctoral degrees required for college teaching. Although the department does not offer a full-degree program in art history, it provides a sound foundation for students pursuing an advanced degree. College and university teaching, museum work, conservation and restoration of art objects, and consultant positions in government and industry are available to those with an advanced degree in art history.

Positions

  • Art teacher (with teacher certification or at art institutes, colleges, or universities with an advanced degree)
  • Craftsperson
  • Freelance artist
  • Digital artist/web designer/videographer
  • Museum/gallery (various positions)
  • Photographer
  • Architect
  • Art/architectural historian
  • Arts administrator
  • Art director/editor
  • Ceramist
  • Curator
  • Gallery owner/director
  • Digital designer
  • Filmmaker
  • Illustrator
  • Interior designer
  • Jeweler
  • Jewelry designer
  • Multimedia artist
  • Metals researcher
  • Museum educator
  • Professional artist
  • Conservation and restoration
  • Technical artist
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What is art?

Art involves using creativity, imagination and technical skills to invoke an emotion, communicate an idea or appeal esthetically. Studying art allows creative expression difficult to find in many traditional college courses. It helps students build skills and values such as analysis, synthesis, evaluation, critical judgment, tolerance of ambiguity, appreciation of diversity, aesthetic literacy, and more.

What distinguishes UWL's art program?

Out-of-classroom art experiences

All students are encouraged to participate in various out-of-class experiences including department or faculty-led field trips to museums and galleries in Milwaukee, Madison, Chicago and Minneapolis; local, regional, and national art competitions in various studio areas; and undergraduate research designed for the student’s own interests and personal vision.

Exhibit your work

Art majors will gain professional experience installing their own senior exhibition and learn about the “business” of art in the Professional Practices course. Also, students are encouraged to apply for exhibition opportunities either in the La Crosse arts community or in other cities.

Excellent facilities and low student-to-faculty ratio

Our student-centered curriculum and low student-to-faculty ratio provide individualized mentorship and a rich sense of community. Art studios and classrooms offer students a dynamic creative environment for learning and feature a mix of new and traditional approaches to ceramics, digital art & design, drawing, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, art education, and art history.

University Art Gallery

The University Art Gallery, located in the UWL Center for the Arts, schedules art exhibitions by students, faculty, and regional and nationally-known artists. In conjunction with the gallery program, the department hosts visiting artists to present lectures and workshops for students and the public.

Job opportunities in the department

Art students have the opportunity to gain professional experience working in the Department of Art as studio assistants, digital imaging specialists, gallery assistants, lab technicians, and administrative support.

Scholarships and awards

Annually, the Department of Art gives promising art students scholarships and awards, including several specifically dedicated to incoming first-year art students.

  • The School of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) scholarships and awards
  • All Student Juried Exhibition awards
  • Work Study employment/assistantships in the Department of Art
  • Undergraduate Research and Creativity Grants also support independent art projects, research and travel. 

Printing Art...

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