
Art
Prepare for a diverse career in the arts through the arts program at the Cornish College of the Arts for Seattle University!
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Overview
Art, BFA
Our art program gives you the tools you need to hone your artistic skills across a range of mediums, including drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture and new media. The flexible format of the major allows you to take relevant classes from other departments such as music, dance and film so you can explore interdisciplinary practices.
You will have access to dedicated studios and facilities for photography, green screen and animation, digital media labs, the Multimedia Checkout Center and a state-of-the-art fabrication studio. With an average of 15 students per class, you will have personalized instruction and mentorship from our faculty comprised of experienced artists and educators.
The art program provides coordinated opportunities that match you with galleries, museums and art organizations in Seattle for internships and student residencies, including the world-famous Pilchuck Glass Studio Summer Session. You will also apply skills in real-world projects, from individual artworks to collaborative installations. Students also participate in exhibitions and showcases that simulate professional art environments and dynamics.
With guest lectures, workshops, critiques from industry professionals and an emphasis on portfolio and website development, the art program prepares you to be job-ready upon graduation. Graduates pursue careers as fine artists, art educators, gallery directors, curators, art therapists and arts administrators.
Program Information
Program Type: Major
Degree: Bachelor of Fine Arts
School: Cornish College of the Arts
Campus: South Lake Union
Learning Format: In-Person
Duration: 4 years
Start Date: August, January
Credits: 120
Department Info

At-a-Glance
Core Skills & Techniques
The Art program at Cornish College of the Arts fosters innovative and interdisciplinary practices, offering students the opportunity to pursue depth of individual media (drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and new media) and flexibility across disciplines. This means students can cross pollinate and combine media to express original ideas in new ways.
Students are exposed to a variety of digital and traditional media in the first year to give a solid foundation for informed choices on the path to graduation. The program emphasizes critical thinking, creative experimentation, and professional development, preparing students for diverse careers in the arts. As one of the most flexible majors at Cornish, and among national programs, the Art program allows students to receive credit for taking relevant classes in other departments such as music, dance, design, and film + media.
After all, contemporary art takes many forms.
Learning Outcomes
- Synthesize and articulate relationships between making and meaning.
- Demonstrate technical skills through research, discipline exploration, and defined goals.
- Analyze and present complex ideas verbally, visually and in writing.
- Work effectively in collaborative, inclusive cohorts, and negotiate diverse perspectives toward shared goals.
- Situate art practices within larger cultural, political, and historical contexts.
Student Work