Department of Art & Art History
Art and Art History Programs at Rollins
Learn more about the Studio Art and Art History majors and minors.
Learn all about our art history program from our amazing professors and art history majors!
Why choose Art History or Studio Art?
Studying art history or studio art gives you the flexibility to pursue any minor or fulfill requirements for secondary teacher certification. Many students also choose to double major in Art History and Studio Art. And with ample opportunities to engage in art historical or archaeological research and writing, or produce advanced studio artwork, you will graduate prepared to further your education at graduate school, and pursue a career in museum work, art publishing, artist residencies, sustained professional studio practice, or other similar professional activities. Most importantly, a bachelor's degree in art prepares you to think creatively in any career or life pursuit you choose.
See an example of how our students apply their visual analysis skills to current issues in their examination of war imagery, published in Rollins's student newspaper (pages 6-8) Learn more
Majors in Studio Art or Art History prepare students for careers in a variety of fields. Our majors have pursued graduate study in numerous disciplines, including studio art, art history, theology, social work, physics, medicine, business, and law. Graduates of our department currently work as artists and art consultants, in museums, as entrepreneurs, teachers, and attorneys, and in social justice, publishing, and fashion. For more information on career opportunities, please see the links on our After Graduation page.
Major in Art History
In our increasingly globalized and image-saturated world, the skills students learn in Art History have never been more important. Art History teaches us how various art forms express a given culture’s values, enriching our understanding of diverse traditions and enabling us to connect the present with the past. Art History majors learn to become critical viewers of visual material and articulate, informed communicators. One of the broadest fields in the Humanities, Art History incorporates the study of many disciplines, including history, politics, economics, psychology, philosophy, science, and cultural studies. Our professors are enthusiastic teachers and active scholars who are dedicated to working closely with students in and out of the classroom. Whether in our small classes, collaborating on research with faculty, engaging with art at Rollins’ Cornell Fine Arts Museum, studying abroad, or gaining professional experience in internships, our majors benefit from a diverse and stimulating academic experience that can lead to a wide variety of career paths.
Art History Major Courses | Degree Planner
Art History Minor Courses | Degree Planner
Major in Studio Art
“Being a studio art major has led me to become a much stronger creative problem solver when difficulties arise. I have learned that it is almost guaranteed for things to not go exactly as planned, which has taught me to be able to quickly adapt to difficult and frustrating situations. This major allows me to be creative in any way I want, and is virtually limitless in what I can do.” - Studio art senior, 2023
"I have really enjoyed my past four years throughout this program. Coming into school, I didn’t think that I was going to be an art major and I really did appreciate the flexibility within Rollins and their curriculum to add the second major to my agenda. I also feel that having this major and learning the creative thinking skills that I have acquired over the past four years has sent me a part in my job search in a professional and corporate setting.” - Studio art senior, 2023
In studio courses, students explore the tools and materials of the creative process while learning experientially about conceptual issues and creative strategies in visual arts. Young artists are challenged to develop their critical skills and to articulate their ideas and creative strategies through class discussions and critiques. Studio majors can choose to fulfill their requirements by taking elective courses in photography, sculpture, printmaking, book arts, graphic design, painting, drawing, and mixed media. Many courses also offer opportunities for professional development through community engagement projects. In addition, the year-long capstone experience leads studio majors through an intensive creative process in which they build a body of work to submit for the senior exhibition. Students who wish to declare the studio major or minor should contact their adviser or the Chair of the Department of Art and Art History (if the student does not have an adviser in the Department of Art and Art History) to discuss course sequencing and degree planning.
Studio Art Major Courses | Degree Planner
Studio Art Minor Courses | Degree Planner
