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Art
Painting. Drawing. Sculpting. Designing. Creative pursuits driven by skill and vision. If you have a passion for crafting your vision into works of art, consider an art degree from Dordt. It will prepare you to turn your passion into a career.
Program Overview
As an art major at Dordt, you’ll learn how to compose eye-catching designs. Designs that convey emotion. Creativity. Skill. And professionalism. You won’t simply make art. You'll learn how your skills can craft a response of praise to God. You’ll learn to create beauty in the world around you.
Dordt’s art and design coursework includes a balance of classroom learning, training in digital media programs, and hands-on work. You’ll have opportunities for internships. You’ll design for local companies and organizations. And you’ll create real, practical work before you graduate, so you’re ready to succeed in the workforce.
What can I do with an art degree from Dordt University?
After graduating from Dordt, you'll be ready to pursue a career in fine art, graphic design, art education, or architecture. You’ll have opportunities to combine your love for creativity with a rewarding professional future. Most importantly, Dordt’s professors will help you understand how you can use the creativity process to glorify God in everything you do.
Dordt’s art and design degree offers a Christ-centered art program where your creativity reflects the glory of God. Our program had a career outcome rate of 100 percent in 2021. Why? Because we focus on preparing students for a successful career and helping them pursue a job they’ll love.
Artist
An Artist uses their expertise and creative mind to create different forms and pieces of art.
Art Director
An Art Director is responsible for determining which photographs, art, or other design elements to use in different layouts.
Animator
An Animator will typically use illustrations and computer programs to create graphics and animations.
Career Preparation
Dordt University's 2023 Career Outcome Rate was 99.4%! “This data point tells us that Dordt graduates are prepared for the careers of their choosing,” said Amy Westra, director of Career Development. “A Dordt education provides students with industry-relevant courses and connections that make a difference.”
Program Options
Art & Design Major
Through Dordt's art program, you'll be prepared to take the next step in your career, whether that looks like graduate school, entering the workforce, or perfecting your craft.
With a degree in art, initially, you'll take courses that will help you develop your fundamentals in all aspects of art, including design, painting, photography, drawing, and more. As you move through the program, you'll lean into your specific interests, as you work toward perfecting your craft.
Art majors have opportunities to find internships at local companies and production firms and can choose to participate in the Chicago Semester Program, where you will work in an internship, build your portfolio, and gain practical experience.
To learn more, you can also view the program strengths and learning outcomes for this program.
Our graduates work as designers, publishers, printers, teachers, and studio artists. Combining art with another major such as psychology could lead to a career in art therapy, while art and businesses or communication could lead to marketing or art director positions.
Graduates from Dordt’s art program have worked for businesses like Global Reach, Lemonly, Staples Promotional Products, and Unitron.
The career outcome rate for our art and design graduates in 2021 was 100 percent.
A degree in art will require students to complete classes in a variety of topics including design theory, drawing, and art history. These classes include various studios and hands-on experience. In addition, each student will choose an emphasis with additional classes in their area of interest.
Design Theory: Manipulation of two-dimensional design through the use of the basic art elements: line, shape, value, color, texture, and space. The course is intended to develop a visual vocabulary and an imaginative approach to design.
Drawing I: Acquiring the basic skills of drawing through an objective investigation of reality. Common media and tools are used.
Art History: Contemporary Art and Architecture: This is the third course in a historical survey of art and architecture. The course will begin with the foundations of modernism in the last half of the 19th century and then cover the plurality of styles in the 20th century.
Senior Seminar in Art: A critical examination of contemporary problems and trends in the field of art. The course will include readings, discussions, a paper or presentation, critique of current exhibitions, and a senior art show.
Art Minor
Dordt’s art and design minor offers a Christ-centered art education where your creativity reflects the glory of God. It also combines fluidly with a number of majors Dordt offers, helping you become a well-rounded and successful professional in the working world.
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Education Emphasis
If teaching and art are your passions, there are many options to combine an education degree with an art specialization at Dordt. This combination will prepare you for a career as an art teacher.
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Ready to take the next step?
Faculty
With experience in a variety of fields, our faculty members are equipped and ready to help you succeed.
Student Stories
Dordt students and alumni use their gifts to make a difference in the world. Check out their stories to see how Defender Nation lives out our mission to work effectively toward Christ-centered renewal in all aspects of contemporary life.
Harmonizing Worship Arts and Design
Nicole Mahoney“I think there’s something really powerful about the community at Dordt; we get to do life together and know each other’s stories, and then we get to worship together."
Nicole Mahoney
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Finding a Faith-Focused Education and So Much More
Grace Bruin“I wanted to be in an education program that was founded and rooted in faith rather than having Christianity as an appendix to the program. It was clear from the first time I talked with Dordt education professors that they are passionate about Christian teaching.”
Grace Bruin
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An Artist Takes Flight
Emma Nydam“One of my favorite classes was Avian Biology. We had to memorize and identify 150 bird species by sight and sound, and I’ve painted almost all of them because that’s how I study best. I also found that I could pay attention to all the details when I put it to paper.”
Emma Nydam
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Embracing Mess, Creating Beauty
Megan Veurink“I enjoyed many of the psychology courses I had taken during my freshman year, so I continued to look in that broadened field. This is when I discovered art therapy, a dream career I didn’t know existed!”
Megan Veurink
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From Art Student to Assistant Curator
Yovica AlethiaAlethia works as the assistant curator for Dordt’s art collection. Associate Professor of Art & Design David Platter calls Alethia his “right hand in helping manage student workers, install exhibits, and pack art for shipping.”
Yovica Alethia
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Leap of Faith
Hope KramerAfter struggling with the practicality of art being a career, Hope's first year at Dordt allowed her to take the leap of faith she needed to pursue God's calling and develop the skills and relationships that would last her a lifetime.
Hope Kramer
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Taking Chances
Jenna StephensComing to Dordt with little art experience, Jenna was able to learn and grow as an artist over her four years and develop all the skills she needed to find a successful career after college.
Jenna Stephens
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Looking the World Back to Grace
Sara de WaalConnect with us
Submit your information to request more information about Dordt and this program. We'll also use this information to connect you with your admissions counselor!
Plus, we'll send you our e-book, "Top Things to Look for in an Art & Design Program." 🙌
Related Programs
Still looking for the right fit? Here are some additional program options that we think might interest you or are often paired with this program. You can also view the programs page to keep exploring your options.
