Discover your strengths, develop your artistic sensibility, and challenge yourself creatively. Art offers the opportunity to do all this and more. Embark on an exciting career as an artist, educator or creative professional.
Why Study Art?
By studying art, you will gain a sense of who you are as a creator and observer of visual culture. Learn how to use different materials and methods to create a compelling body of work and tell your story. Think critically about your own creativity and that of the world around you. Understand how art impacts society.
A B.A. in art is valuable because it sets you on the path to develop a career. You will be suited for a career in a variety of creative industries such as illustration, photography, design, fine art, animation, fabrication, public art and more. If interested, you'll be prepared to pursue M.A. and M.F.A. programs in your chosen medium. You can also opt to take state-accredited art education courses and begin your career as an educator.
Why Study Art at CSUN?
Multiple Concentrations
How do you know whether you should study in one area or another? The Art Major does not have a portfolio requirement, so you can try many different media and experiment before you commit. Once you decide, you will be able to choose from eleven different concentrations:
- Animation
- Art education
- Art history
- Ceramics
- Communication design
- Drawing
- Illustration
- Painting
- Photography/Video
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
State-of-the-art Facilities
As a student you will have access to a sculpture shop, a printmaking lab, animation classrooms and other professional-level labs to help you achieve your artistic goals. The CSUN Art Galleries also offer a number of rotating exhibits and the opportunity for students to display their own work.
Accredited Institution
Our department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). This means that our undergraduate and graduate degrees meet the national standards established by this organization.
Education Within Reach
For decades, CSUN has been serving students in the local community seeking an affordable, high-quality art education close to home.
What You'll Learn
A B.A. program in art teaches you skills. But it also teaches you much more. You’ll learn drawing, design, color theory and three-dimensional design. You’ll also gain an understanding of different artistic traditions from around the world as you develop your voice as an artist. Most importantly, you will deepen your technical and critical skills in your chosen concentration as an active member of our creative community.
You'll also receive a well-rounded liberal arts education by taking courses in English, cultural studies, humanities and more. As you move into upper-level courses, you will fine-tune your creative practice in our art studios and labs. This will all help shape your final portfolio, which gives you the opportunity to conceive, create and present a body of work.
Careers & Outcomes
An Art major can prepare you for a career in design, advertising, media, publishing, gaming industry, galleries, museums, and more. Some students go on to M.A. or M.F.A. programs in their respective concentration. Others choose to focus on art education.
Gain agency experience before you graduate
IntersectLA is a student-operated and faculty managed full-service brand and creative strategy agency. Students from diverse disciplines come together to create integrated marketing campaigns for clients both on- and off-campus.
Art Department Scholarships
We offer a wide variety of scholarships and awards to honor outstanding achievement. Each one has different requirements based on concentration, number of credits, and special interests. Find out how to apply for scholarships.