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Art

Turn your creativity into a career with an Associate of Fine Arts or Associate of Art transfer major degree in Studio Art or Art History from Arapahoe Community College.

ACC art student painting

Humanity has appreciated beauty since before the ancient Greeks philosophized about its nature. Over the course of history, cultures have created ways to express their interpretation of what was beautiful at the time through drawing, painting, sculpting, and metalworking. Turn your passion and creativity into a career in art with your Associate of Fine Arts or Associate of Arts degree in Art History or Studio Art. Start at ACC and transfer almost anywhere to continue your education and path to your goals.

ACC Admissions
Admissions
admissions [at] arapahoe.edu
Katie Caron
Studio Art & Art History Program Chair
Art and Design Center
katie.caron [at] arapahoe.edu

Transfer Options

Getting your Associate of Fine Arts, Art History AA, or Studio Art AA degree can set you up with easy transfer options to public 4-year colleges / universities in Colorado. Check with your Advisor to make sure you are on the right path toward transferring to the university that is right for you. 

CIP 500702 (FSTU)

This program is designed to transfer to Metropolitan State University of Denver's BFA program.

The Associate of Fine Arts Degree in Studio Art, prepares students for transfer to Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs at four-year institutions. The degree is composed of the first two years of study toward the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. The Associate of Fine Arts degree will provide a well-rounded education with hands-on instruction in studio art courses to develop effective visual expertise in composition, media, and professional presentation standards.

Career paths in Fine Art include professional artist, craft artist, sculptor, painter, illustrator, and art teacher.

A full time student can complete the Associate of Fine Art (AFA) degree in two years. This degree prepares to transfer to a four-year university to complete the second half of a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA).

To be successful, a student should have a strong interest in creative endeavors, fine motor skills, ability to be self-directed, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Program Requirements

General Education Courses (30 credit hours)
Written Communication (6 credit hours)
Mathematics (3 credit hours)
  • GT - One GT Pathways Math course (GT-MA1)
  • Recommend MAT 1260 Introduction to Statistics: GT-MA1
Arts and Humanities (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Arts and Humanities courses (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4)
History (3 credit hours)
Social and Behavioral (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Social and Behavioral Science courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Science courses (GT-SC2)
Electives (3 credit hours)

Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60.

Guaranteed Transfer

Any Guaranteed Transfer Course

Any course in the following prefixes except Special Topics (275) and Independent Study (285): ANT, ART, BIO (100 OR above), CHE, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PED, PHI, PHY (105 OR above), POS, PSY, SOC

Specific Courses:

4 Credits OR higher MAT Course

ANY Foreign Language (including ASL) numbered 111 OR higher

Studio Elective: Students may choose either an advanced III/IV level in the same media emphasis, or choose a choose in a different media.

Total: 60 Credits

Graduation Requirements

  • Courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to be considered for transfer to another institution.
  • Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation

CIP 240101 (AA)

Program Requirements

General Education Courses (60 credit hours)
Written Communications (6 credit hours)
Mathematics (3 credit hours)
Art and Humanities/Social and Behavioral Sciences combined (18 credit hours)
Art and Humanities (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities courses from two different areas (GT-AH1, GTAH2, GT-AH3, or GT-AH4). See GT-Pathways Courses
Social and Behavioral Science (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two Guaranteed Transfer Social & Behavioral Science courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, or GT-SS3). GT-Pathways Courses
History (3 credit hours)
Student Option (3 credit hours)
  • GT - One Guaranteed Transfer Arts & Humanities / Social & Behavioral Science / History course (GTAH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4, GT-SS1, GTSS2, GT-SS3, or GT-HI1). See GT-Pathways Courses
Natural and Physical Sciences (7 credit hours)
  • GT - Two Guaranteed Transfer courses from: Natural and Physical Sciences, including at least one LAB course (GT-SC1 or GT-SC2). See GT-Pathways Courses
Electives (23 credit hours)

Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60.

Guaranteed Transfer
Any course in the following prefixes

Any course in the following prefixes except Special Topics (275) and Independent Study (285): ANT, ART, BIO (100 OR above), CHE, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PED, PHI, PHY (105 OR above), POS, PSY, SOC

Total: 60 credit hours

All courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to be considered for transfer to another Colorado institution. Transferability of courses to colleges or universities outside of Colorado is determined by the receiving institution.

Graduation Requirements

CIP 500703 (DATH)

The purpose of a statewide articulation agreement is to identify the courses a student at a Colorado public community college must complete as part of an AA/AS degree to be guaranteed to be able to complete the designated baccalaureate degree program at public four-year colleges and universities as designated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) transfer agreement.

For more information about this transfer degree please refer to the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.

Program Requirements

General Education Courses (31-32 credit hours)
Written Communication (6 credit hours)
Mathematics (3 or 4 credit hours)
  • GT - One GT Pathways Mathematics course (GT-MA1), prefer MAT 1240 Mathematics for the Liberal Arts.
Arts and Humanities (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Arts and Humanities courses (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4) EXCEPT the courses listed in the Additional Required Courses section below
History (3 credit hours)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Social and Behavioral Science courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)
Natural and Physical Sciences (7 or 8 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Science courses (GT-SC1, GT-SC2). One of these courses must have the required Laboratory (GT-SC1)
Additional Required Courses (18 credit hours)

Please Note: If these credits are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they will be applied to the Bachelor's degree as elective credit towards graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.

Electives (10-11 credit hours)

Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60.

Guaranteed Transfer
Any course in the following prefixes
  • Any course in the following prefixes except Special Topics (2075) and Independent Study (2085): ANT, ART, BIO (1000 OR above), CHE, ECO, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PED, PHY (1105 OR above), POS, PSY, SOC.
Note(s):

Any additional courses taken in the discipline covered by this agreement might not count toward the requirements of the major at the receiving institution.

Total: 60 credit hours

All courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to be considered for transfer to another Colorado institution. Transferability of courses to colleges or universities outside of Colorado is determined by the receiving institution.

Graduation Requirements

CIP 500702 (DSAR)

The purpose of a statewide articulation agreement is to identify the courses a student at a Colorado public community college must complete as part of an AA/AS degree to be guaranteed to be able to complete the designated baccalaureate degree program at public four-year colleges and universities as designated by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) transfer agreement.

For more information about this transfer degree please refer to the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.

Program Requirements

General Education Courses (31 credit hours)
Written Communication (6 credit hours)
Mathematics (3 credit hours)
Arts and Humanities (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Arts and Humanities courses (GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4). No GT-AH1 courses.
History (3 credit hours)
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Social and Behavioral Science courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)
Natural and Physical Sciences (7 credit hours)
  • GT - Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Science courses (GT-SC1,GT-SC2). One of these must have the required Lab (GT-SC1).
Additional Required Courses (21 credit hours)

Please Note: If these credits are not required for the major at a receiving 4-year institution, they will be applied to the Bachelor's degree as elective credit towards graduation. Please check with the receiving institution to determine in which way these courses will be applied.

3 Credits OR
  • Any 3-credit Studio Art course
Electives (8 credit hours)

Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60.

Guaranteed Transfer
Any course in the following prefixes
  • Any course in the following prefixes except Special Topics, Independent Study, Capstone, and Internships:
    ANT, ART, BIO (1000 OR above), CHE, ECO, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PED, PHI, PHY (1105 OR above), POS, PSY, SOC.
Note(s):

Students planning to transfer to CSU-FC for completion of the BA in Studio Art must complete 2 semesters of one foreign language for their electives OR be able to pass the CSU-FC Foreign Language placement exam at the sophomore level. It may not be possible to complete the BA in Studio Art in two years without this prior foreign language competency.

Any additional courses taken in the discipline covered by this agreement might not count toward the requirements of the major at the receiving institution.

Total: 60 credit hours

All courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to be considered for transfer to another Colorado institution. Transferability of courses to colleges or universities outside of Colorado is determined by the receiving institution.

Graduation Requirements

ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.

Job Opportunities in Art

Art Degree Options at ACC

Associate of Fine Arts (AFA)

This program is designed to transfer to Metropolitan State University of Denver's BFA program. The Associate of Fine Arts Degree prepares will prepare you to transfer to Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs at 4-year institutions in Colorado. Our AFA degree program provides a well-rounded education with hands-on instruction in studio art courses to develop effective visual expertise in composition, media, and professional presentation standards. 

Art History

By studying art history, you will learn of the great works of art and the artists behind them, while learning how to create your own artwork. Our classes cover subjects from ancient to medieval, and the Renaissance to current art. You can then transfer your credits and knowledge to a four-year institution in Colorado to earn your Bachelor’s degree. We have close affiliations with the Denver Art Museum and other galleries in the region, so you can get connected and make your dreams a reality.

Studio Art

The Studio Art program is geared towards those who want to be fine artists using their medium of choice. Develop your artistic skills with Drawing & Painting, Ceramics, and Jewelry & Metals, so that you can create your own work to display and sell. We have small studio class sizes to provide individual instruction, and flexible scheduling including day, night, weekend, accelerated, hybrid, and online classes. Our professional, accessible faculty are on hand to help you achieve success in school and beyond, and there are opportunities for socializing and networking through club activities, Colorado Gallery of the Arts presentations, and even study abroad opportunities in Spain, France, Italy, and Turkey.

Ceramics

Get a little messy and indulge in your creative side in ceramics courses. You'll learn to throw pottery on the wheel, hand build and sculpt clay, and understand the properties of clay and glazes in a variety of environments, including various atmospheres. Learn to create works of beauty and functional pieces for everyday living. You will also learn how to load and fire electric and fuel-burning kilns, create a solid portfolio of your work and, most importantly, develop a strong foundation in designing and creating practical and fine art clay objects.

ACC ceramics student with mug

Drawing & Painting

Express your creativity through art with ACC's drawing & painting courses. Explore drawing, design, figure drawing, figure painting, oil painting, landscape painting, watercolor, and mixed media. Our instructors are artists and bring their own experience and unique style of teaching to their classes to inspire and encourage your talents. Develop a strong art foundation and self-expression, experimentation, and professionalism. Aside from traditional classes at ACC, you'll also be able to go off-campus for courses and workshops in New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah.

ACC students painting in class

Jewelry & Metals

Create wearable works of art in ACC's jewelry & metals courses. ACC has one of the best-equipped jewelry instructional studios in the Denver area providing basic jewelry construction, soldering, casting, small forging, and stone setting techniques. Build your skills in jewelry construction, forging, wax work, casting, and surface textures. Our advanced classes give you the chance to explore your personal interests in metalsmithing. Classes are conducted in a hands-on workshop style, so you'll get as much hands-on attention as you need.

bracelet and torch

Photography

Do you dream of taking photos of some of the most breathtaking, unique, and captivating places and people in the world? If you do, start at ACC with your Studio Arts AA with a focus on photography. We offer black-and-white, color, and digital courses so you can learn basic and advanced skills. You'll have access to our studio space to hone your skills. This option is for you if you want to transfer after ACC. Check out our Commercial Photography AAS degree if you want to start your career after you graduate.

 

Woman photographing mountains