Department of Art and Design

Discover your vision for the world

We are committed to intellectual practices that uniquely develop your creative and critical thinking-by-doing capacity that is crucial for success in contemporary visual arts professions. Our mission is to engage, educate, and mentor the next generation of visual arts leaders for creative social change.

Our programs

As an art and design major, you will begin your studies in our innovative and challenging foundations program.

• Courses in drawing, design, photography, color theory, and art history are collaboratively taught by full-time artist-educators and art historians.
• In these courses, you will learn through hands-on studio experiences and class projects that foster a foundational understanding of art theory, visual principles, skills and history necessary to excel in our specialized programs.
• Upon successfully completing a foundation portfolio review, you can choose from a rich selection of program offerings in art history, art education, graphic design, studio arts, with or without a concentration in art therapy.

Why study the visual arts at Marian?

• Study with credentialed P.h.D. and M.F.A. full-time studio faculty who are active professionals within their respective fields.
• Small class sizes that allow for individualized faculty attention.
• State-of-the-art digital art and design studio.
• High-quality exhibitions program and galleries that engage students with visiting professional artists and designers.
• Experience study abroad through consortium programs or Marian-sponsored courses (past courses have included Italy, Greece, France, Portugal, Spain and Turkey).
• Intern with local and regional arts organizations, design and advertising firms.
• Our close proximity to downtown Indianapolis provides excellent access to community arts events and organizations like the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Harrison Center for the Arts, Stutz Artists Association, and Mass Ave Arts district.
• Proven track-record for preparing students to become successful artists, designers, educators, and art therapists.