About the Art Department

The Art Department at Saginaw Valley State University is a part of the College of Arts and Behavioral Sciences, with a teaching staff of ten full time and sixteen adjunct faculty. Because most classes do not exceed 25 students, you'll work closely with art professors who are accomplished artists in their own right. Their paintings, photographs, prints, and sculptures have been exhibited at numerous regional and national shows. You also will be exposed to the creativity of other outstanding contemporary artists whose works are exhibited in the Art Department University Art Gallery, located on the first floor of the Arbury Fine Arts Center.

The Visual Arts curriculum includes Art History and Studio courses in ceramics, graphic design, drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, two dimensional and three-dimensional design. Students may earn a B.A. in Art, Graphic Design, or Visual Arts Education, or a B.F.A. in Art. Students receiving the B.A. in Visual Arts Education are eligible to apply for a Michigan teaching license in Visual Arts Education, and to pursue teaching positions in K-12 education. 

Opportunities for Art Students

• Mentorship program for all freshmen and transfer students, led by our junior and senior majors.
• Interdisciplinary programs with other departments at the University that lead students to greater career opportunities and development.
• Active student organizations such as the Art & Design Creative League, AIGA Design Club, Cardinal Photography Students Association (CPSA), Student Art League, and the Comic Strippers Club.
• Visiting artists through the exhibitions and lectures at the University Art Gallery and through collaboration with the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum.

Job Prospects

Graphic Designer, Advertising, Art Director, Web Designer, Illustrator, App Designer, Art Dealer, Portrait Photographer, Art Curator, Gallery Director, Painter, Sculptor, Printmaker, Muralist, Studio Owner, Art Teacher, Arts Administrator and more!

Photos by Katie Stanton & Cassidy Spendlove