Art
Turn your creativity into a career with an Associate of Art transfer major degree in Studio Art or Art History from Arapahoe Community College.
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 Arts degree in Art History or Studio Art. Start with at ACC and transfer almost anywhere to continue your education and path to your goals.
What You'll Learn
Art History
While you are in the Art History AA program, you’ll learn:
- Critical thinking
- Creative thinking and original thought
- Understanding of context, multi-cultural perspectives, and assumptions
- Analyze and evaluate evidence
- Written communication and presentation
CIP240101
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.
Admission Requirements
Program Requirements
- GT - One GT Pathways Math course (GT-MA1)
- Recommend MAT 135 Introduction to Statistics: GT-MA1
- GT - Two GT Pathways Arts and Humanities courses (GT-AH1, GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4)
- GT - One GT Pathways History course (GT-H1)
- GT - Two GT Pathways Social and Behavioral Science courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)
- GT - Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Science courses (GT-SC2)
Choose 2 courses from the same studio emphasis:
Drawing/Painting
ART 221 - Drawing II 3 Credits OR ART 128 - Figure Drawing I 3 Credits
ART 151 - Painting I 3 Credits OR ART 129 - Printmaking I 3 Credits
Photography
ART 138 - Film Photography I 3 Credits
ART 139 - Digital Photography I 3 Credits
Ceramics
ART 161 - Ceramics I 3 Credits
ART 261 - Ceramics II 3 Credits
Jewelry
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
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.
CIP 240101 (ATHD)
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.
Admission Requirements
Program Requirements
- ENG 122 - English Composition II: GT-CO2 3 Credits AND
- GT - One GT Pathways -approved CO3 course (GTCO3)
- GT - One GT Pathways Mathematics course (GT-MA1),
- prefer MAT 120 : Mathematics for the Liberal Arts.
- 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
- GT - One GT Pathways History course (GT-H1)
- GT - Two GT Pathways Social and Behavioral Science courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)
- GT - Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Science courses (GT-SC1, GT-SC2). One of these courses must have the required Laboratory (GT-SC1)
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.
Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60.
- 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, ECO, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PED, PHY (105 OR above), POS, PSY, SOC.
- HWE 124 - Fitness and Wellness 2 Credits
- ANY Foreign Language (including ASL) numbered 111 or higher
Any additional courses taken in the discipline covered by this agreement might not count toward the requirements of the major at the receiving institution.
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
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
CIP 240101 (SARD)
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.
Admission Requirements
Program Requirements
- ENG 122 - English Composition II: GT-CO2 3 Credits AND
- GT - One GT Pathways -approved CO3 course (GTCO3)
- GT - One GT Pathways Math course (GT-MA1)
- prefer MAT 120 Mathematics for the Liberal Arts.
- GT - Two GT Pathways Arts and Humanities courses (GT-AH2, GT-AH3, GT-AH4). No GT-AH1 courses.
- GT - One GT Pathways History course (GT-H1)
- GT - Two GT Pathways Social and Behavioral Science courses (GT-SS1, GT-SS2, GT-SS3)
- GT - Two GT Pathways Natural & Physical Science courses (GT-SC1,GT-SC2). One of these must have the required Lab (GT-SC1).
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.
- Any 3-credit Studio Art course
Elective credit must be completed from the following lists of approved prefixes or courses to bring the total credit hours to 60.
- Any Guaranteed Transfer course.
- Any course in the following prefixes except Special Topics, Independent Study, Capstone, and Internships:
ANT, ART, BIO (100 OR above), CHE, ECO, HIS, HUM, LIT, MUS, PED, PHI, PHY (105 OR above), POS, PSY, SOC.
- HWE 124 - Fitness and Wellness 2 Credits
- ANY Foreign Language (including ASL) numbered 111 or higher
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.
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
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
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 pre-requisites 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.
Studio Art
While you are in the Studio Art AA program, you’ll learn how to:
- Create original artwork using thoughtful content and subject matter that supports it
- Apply interdisciplinary research or conceptual synthesis to provide meaning to your creative work
- Create holistic compositions using strategies of visual arrangement
- Use technique while performing effective studio practices using your chosen medium’s tools, materials, and equipment
- Use professional presentation standards for finishing and signing / documenting artwork
- Critically analyze creative work (your own and others’) in verbal and / or written critique, using appropriate vocabulary.
Job Potential
Having an eye for beauty and being able to create something that is pleasing to the eye can lead to a number of artistic careers. With your AA transfer degree in Studio Art or Art History, you could be on a path to a career as a(n):
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.
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