Studio Arts Major

If artistic expression is your passion, you'll be able to expand your skills and experiences at Grand View. You may enter school as a painter and fall in love with printmaking. You might start out sculpting in clay but discover that wood is your true love. From your teachers, you’ll learn skills and techniques that will help you work more efficiently and consistently. With your peers, you’ll practice the art of critique. And in art history classes, you’ll learn from great masters new and old.

Why Grand View?

Engage in hands-on learning experiences that enhance your development as an artist.
Create your portfolio of work to show to prospective employers or graduate schools.
Experience the strong connection between studio arts and design that makes your work versatile and unique.
Work with faculty who are well-connected to the vibrant Des Moines arts community.

Career Options

Turn your passion for art into a career as a:

Illustrator
Technical illustrator
3D animator
3D modeler
Studio artist
Production artist
Motion designer
Medical illustrator
Printmaker
Painter
Sculpter

What Can I Do With This Major?

Course Requirements

View Course Requirements

Student Testimonials

Rachel Schwaller

“Rachel has been an exceptional professor and mentor during my 4 years at Grand View. She influences me to take risks and has helped me process and talk about what I want to say as an artist. In the fall, Rachel offered her time to personally meet with me on several occasions to talk through ideas and to help me prepare for graduate school. I appreciate and value the honest feedback and helpful advice she provides. I look up to her not only because of all the hard work and energy she puts into her practice as an artist but the passion she brings when she is teaching. I want to thank her for believing in me, helping me through my failures, and for always listening.” - McKenna Quandt

Aaron Tinder

“Aaron has been a huge motivator, supporter, and mentor in the months that I have been at Grand View. I'm not sure that I would have found my career path if it weren't for Aaron. I knew I wanted to be a teacher, but I wasn't completely sure. He described the way I fit perfectly into the role of a high school art teacher. He mentioned how he sees my abilities in my interaction with my classmates. His support and direction solidified my idea and made me excited to graduate and to get out into the workforce. He supports every good idea, adjusts and guides when necessary, and provides all the tools that I need to succeed. I greatly appreciate his open mind, his dedication to myself and my peers, and his ability to see creativity everywhere.” - Chloe Vogel

GV Degree Combinations

You may also be interested in one or more of the following:

Awards and Accomplishments

Students

Four Grand View students were selected for the 2017 Des Moines Arts Festival Emerging Iowa Artists program. Julia Meyer, Emma Nichols, Janelle Logemann and Jenna Nunamaker presented their work in the downtown event as part of the program for Iowa college students. This year only 11 students were selected from the entire state.

Approximately 30 students were selected for the Juried Grand View Student Exhibition in 2017. Award winners were Kaitlin Bishop, Kayla Bates, and Brittney Hanson.

Faculty

Small Works professional exhibition at Olson Larsen Galleries in West Des Moines, Iowa (2016-17)

Notes, Documents & Postcards Never Sent (one-person show) at Firetrucker Brewery in Ankeny, Iowa (2016)

Hell Bent/Hold Fast (one-person show) at Hill Vintage in Des Moines, Iowa (2016)

Did You Know?

Many students enter M.A. or M.F.A. programs in art or move directly to careers in the visual arts, working in galleries or museums or as artists, designers or art educators. Still others use the creative skills they developed in related fields like advertising, marketing, public relations and arts administration.

At Grand View, you may get the chance to spend part of your last year working independently in the studio, with the goal of creating work for a final presentation to the public. However, expect occasional critiques by teachers and other students along the way to help you craft your studio artwork.

You’ll do more than create your art at Grand View. You’ll also exercise business and organizational skills as you produce your show. You’ll need to choose a space, manage a budget, and publicize the event. By the time your opening rolls around, you’ll have a taste of what it’s like to be a pro.

Studio Arts Major

Why Grand View?

Rachel Schwaller

Aaron Tinder

GV Degree Combinations

Awards and Accomplishments

Students

Faculty

Did You Know?

Faculty

Rasmussen Center