Department of Art

When potential finds its path

Do artistic concepts and creative energy flow through your mind and your soul? Are you ready to take your talents and see how far you can go? Whether your passion lies in textiles, furniture design, new media, painting, photography, ceramics, silkscreen, video art, design, applied arts, other creative areas, or art history, Saint Mary’s College is where you can develop, expand, and launch your gifts beyond your imagination.

Sample of student art from Saint Mary's College – Notre Dame, IN

15
maximum number of students in all studio art classes

"I love Saint Mary’s because I get to take everything I’m learning – Italian, psychology, philosophy – and put it into my art."

– Ellen Smithey '17

Read her story

Study the arts abroad

You always knew your art could take you wherever you dreamed. At Saint Mary’s, you can combine your love of creativity with a study abroad opportunity in more than two dozen countries around the world. A favorite destination for art students is the Rome program, which offers exposure to historically significant sites in the art world and a variety of course offerings to complement your studies.

About Study Abroad  Rome Program

58%
of art majors study abroad

Create a Body of Work – Your Work

Your four years at Saint Mary’s will culminate in your senior comprehensive exhibition — a body of work with depth and unity in your studio art or design concentration, or a research project in art history, that will be presented in one of our galleries. Your exhibition becomes an invaluable portfolio for both career and graduate school applications. You’ll also have many opportunities to work collaboratively with other students, with direction and nurturing from our dedicated faculty, all of whom are accomplished artists and scholars themselves.

100%
of all art majors create a comprehensive body of work for exhibition

Join a community of creativity

Through exhibitions and events in our Moreau Art Galleries, you will meet with national artists and participate in special projects and workshops. You’ll also engage in a variety of fun and meaningful activities, like field trips to museums and galleries, and Art Club activities like film screenings.

Customize your art degree

Customize your experience – from pottery to paintingOur BFA and BA degrees in art allow you to focus your studies in Applied Arts, Design, Painting, Fibers, Sculpture, New Media, Ceramics, Photo Media, or Printmaking. We also offer multiple options if art history is your calling from a minor, concentration or even double major. And if your passion for art is something you would love to pass on to future generations, we offer a Teaching Certification for the Visual Arts (PreK–12) in partnership with our department of education. You’ll also find that the liberal arts curriculum at Saint Mary’s gives you a broader understanding of people and the world, a skill set that has led many graduates to leadership positions.

Create your career

With an art degree from Saint Mary’s, you’ll discover that career opportunities are near limitless. Our graduates are employed in a variety of fields as creative directors, graphic designers, UI/UX designers, and art directors. Many also have started their own businesses or teach art. Others work as art therapists or have achieved graduate degrees in numerous disciplines. Where will your dream take you?