College of Fine and Applied Arts (FAA)
What is it?
The Painting and Sculpture Programs provide courses of study that foster the development of
students' individual interests, with an emphasis on concept and innovation, critical thinking
skills, familiarity with current art theory and practice, and visual and cultural literacy, as well as
professional skills and habits that allow students to establish a unique, self-directed studio
practice.
The mission of the Painting Program is to foster students' growth into working artists with an
understanding of the professional art world that will prepare them for advanced study in studio
art, for careers in museums, galleries, arts agencies, as critics and theorists, and as
professional studio artists.
The first year is devoted primarily to the study of design, composition, and the acquisition of
both representational and abstract drawing skills. The second year concentrates on introducing
the student to beginning painting skills and techniques with further studies in drawing and
composition. The last two years are devoted to the development of individual creative
expression in painting and other media.
When followed by a program leading to a degree of Master of Fine Arts in Painting, this
curriculum is recommended as preparation for a career as an artist and as a teacher of painting
and drawing and related subjects at the college level.
For more information, visit the School of Art and Design’s website at:
http://www.art.illinois.edu/content/undergraduate/programs/painting
Courses that Introduce the Major:
• ARTF 101- Contemporary Issues in Art
• ARTF 102- Drawing I
• ARTF 104- Drawing II
Students should consult with an academic advisor regarding course selection prior to the
advanced registration period.
Enhancing Your Academic Experience:
Participating in departmental research is an excellent means of getting experience within the
major. Additionally, there are many Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) on campus and
professional organizations related to this major. Here is one to check out:
• Art Club
Purpose: Art club is a club for anyone who is interested in creating art or learning how to
work with different art materials in a fun and friendly environment.
For more information on Registered Student Organizations, visit their website at:
http://union.illinois.edu/involvement/rso/a-z_list.aspx.
Other opportunities – investigate options for study abroad, volunteering your time and talents, or
participating in the Illinois Leadership Center i-programs.
Related Skills:
• Develop a personal visual language • Conceptual comprehension
• Ability to perceive works of art • Technical experimentation
critically • Research proficiency
• A mastery of the technical skills of • Artistic competence
painting
• Aesthetic development
Possible Career Opportunities:
• Advertising • Exhibition Designer
• Animator/Animatronics • Fashion Designer
• Architectural Design • Fine Artist
• Art Administration • Gallery Director
• Art Director • Graphic Designer
• Art Educator • Illustrator
• Art Restorer • Industrial Design
• Art Therapist • Interior Designer
• Background Artist • Package Designer
• Cinematographer • Photojournalist
• Comic Book/Cartoonist • Set Designer
• Display Designer • Story Board Artist
• Editorial Art Director • Transportation Designer
• Enviro. Designer • Video Director
Common Career Titles Related to this Major:
(Some careers may require education beyond an undergraduate degree)
• Exhibiting Artist • Illustrator
• Artist in Resident • Animator
• Installation Artist • Curator
• Freelance Artist • Gallery Assistant
• Portraitist • Arts Administrator
• Backdrop Painter • Teacher
Further Information Regarding this Major:
• For more information on what you can do with a major in Painting, visit The Career
Center’s webpage, What Can I Do With This Major:
http://www.careercenter.illinois.edu/findingpath/whatmajor.php
• For more information on the classes needed for a degree in Painting, visit the Program
of Study website which can be found on the Course Information Suite at:
http://courses.illinois.edu/cis/index.html
The following websites have been utilized to complete this document:
• http://www-old.art.uiuc.edu/a+d/program/studio/pa/pa_mission.html
• http://www.millstreetloft.org/pdfs/aisummer.pdf