Make art with a vision that matters.
Prepare to become a creative agent for positive social change.
Why choose studio art at Marian?
You will begin by building a strong foundation in art with opportunities to grow your knowledge and skills in both two- and three-dimensional media. Access to our studio facilities 24/7 provides you with the flexibility and support to produce high-quality art in an appropriate environment. Working with practicing professional artist-teachers, you will engage the professional art world through visiting artists, tours of local artist's studios, and opportunities to participate in Indianapolis community art projects.
Our program assists you with developing a mission and vision for your art and articulating how it interacts with the world. Advanced studies culminate with a senior exhibition, professional communication materials, and a comprehensive portfolio ready for graduate school application or a professional position in an arts organization.
What will you study?
Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts
Foundation studio courses (12 credits)
- ART 110: Drawing and Design I (3 credits)
- ART 206: Color Theory and Application (3 credits)
- ART 210: Drawing and Design II (3 credits)
- ART 255: Photography I (3 credits)
Art history courses (12 credits)
- ARH 235: Survey of Western Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance (3 credits)
- ARH 236: Survey of Western Art II: Baroque to Contemporary (3 credits)
- ARH 344: The Modern World —OR— ARH 346: The Contemporary Scene (3 credits)
- One 300 level ARH course (3 credits)
Studio art courses (21 credits)
- ART 201: Three-Dimensional Design (3 credits)
- ART 221: Painting I (3 credits)
- ART 200: Sculpture I or 203 Ceramics I (3 credits)
- ART 490: Senior Seminar (1 credit)
- ART 491: Senior Portfolio and Professional Practices (2 credits)
- Three additional ART courses (9 credits)
Recommended elective course
- ART 460: Art Internship (3-6 credits)
The following portfolio reviews are required for continuation in the program:
- Foundation portfolio review: First semester sophomore year
- Junior portfolio review: Second semester junior year
- Senior portfolio review: Senior exhibition semester in senior year
Sample four-year plan and checklist See our student portfolios
Minor in Studio Art (18 credits)
- ART 110: Drawing and Design I (3 credits)
- ART 206: Color Theory and Application (3 credits)
- ART 221: Introduction to Painting (3 credits)
- ARH 235: Survey of Western Art I: Prehistoric to Renaissance —OR— ARH 236: Survey of Western Art II: Baroque to Contemporary (3 credits)
Two additional art courses from:
- ART 200: Sculpture I (3 credits)
- ART 210: Drawing and Design II (3 credits)
- ART 201: Three-Dimensional Design (3 credits)
- ART 203: Ceramics I (3 credits)
- ART 237: Printmaking I (3 credits)
- ART 255: Photography I (3 credits)
Professional studio arts opportunities
Art and Design graduates pursuing a studio art career are valued by employers for their creativity, critical thinking abilities, problem solving-skills, and resourcefulness. Here is a small sampling of possible careers paths you can pursue upon graduating from Marian.
Accredited off campus courses
Marian University Art and Design majors may take up to 12 credits of pre-approved activities courses at the Indianapolis Art Center for application to their degree at Marian University. These are courses not normally offered at Marian University.
