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Art

Create Your Successful Future in Art

What sets our programs apart

Our distinctive programs include the only concentration in glass forming in Kansas and the only engraving arts concentration in the world — both of which feature state-of-the-art equipment.

Get out of the classroom and gain real-world experience with local businesses and clients in your discipline, designing and creating professional projects, commissions, exhibits and events. Request More Information

Art in the community

When you are part of the art program at ESU, you're part of a growing and thriving artistic community. ESU students regularly participate in community arts events, including Emporia First Friday.

Scholarships

Art scholarships are available to support your educational career as you hone your artistic skills. Learn more about scholarships for new and continuing students.

Academic Programs

Obtain a degree in one of our studio concentration areas, pursue a teaching degree in art education, or prepare for graduate study in art therapy.


Art Painting
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Student Work

Explore works by ESU art students

Our Programs

Art (BFA)

Bachelor of Fine Arts

This program of studies is designed to prepare students to work professionally in an art field or to study at the advanced level at a graduate or professional school. Students complete coursework focused on a concentrated subject area. ESU offers BFA concentrations in the following studio areas: Engraving Arts, Glass Forming, Graphic Design, Painting, and Ceramics.

Ceramics

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Concentration

In the ceramics program, you’ll learn the basics of traditional and non-traditional crafting techniques while getting experience working with a variety of tools, methods and other artists.

Engraving Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Concentration

Using hand fabricated objects, you will go beyond traditional engraving applications. Early courses focus on becoming acclimated with the tools. It is this program's ambition to explore the conceptual as well as the technical side of engraving. This program welcomes all disciplines in an effort to combine techniques. Installation, ceramics, bones, metal, assemblage, printmaking, sculpture, painting, found objects (and more) are all invited into the lab for exploration.

Glass Forming

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Concentration

This program is designed to prepare students to work professionally the glass forming field or to study at the advanced level at a graduate or professional school. ESU has a dedicated glass studio available for student use and brings in multiple visiting artists each year for students to work with. In addition, the Glass Guild Blowout is hosted on campus every year, which brings in visiting artists and the public.

Graphic Design

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Concentration

Students are prepared for the field of graphic design through courses covering print and digital delivery methods. Emphasis is placed on the development of a strong technical foundation as well as developing an individual visual vocabulary to solve real-world design challenges.

Painting

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Concentration

Students dive deep into researching other painters’ methods and motivations from the past and present, while creating a body of work inspired by historically significant painters. Projects in Painting and Advanced Painting students narrow their focus while working to develop a personal body of work. In addition to the required painting classes, additional classes are occasionally offered to broaden students’ painting experiences including, Figure Painting, Watercolor, Mural Painting, Independent Study in Painting, and Internship in Painting.

Art Education (Grades PreK-12)

Bachelor of Science in Education

If you want to teach art in elementary, middle or high school, the teacher education program is available at ESU. The Art Program partners with the department overseeing middle and secondary education. ESU excels in teacher education, as it has for over 125 years.

Art (BA)

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts in Art students pursue a well-rounded liberal-arts program of study, and elect a second area of study (for example, marketing, journalism, or public relations) to develop alternate career options. Art majors can become art therapists, teachers, professional studio artists, graphic designers, marketing directors, medical illustrators, gallery assistants and much more.

Pre-Art Therapy

Pre Professional Program

The Pre-Art Therapy Preparation curriculum track includes a second area of study in psychology. This course of study has been designed to prepare students for admittance to masters graduate programs in Art Therapy.

Art

Minor

This 21-hour program of studies offered by the Department of Art is designed to enhance a baccalaureate degree program, preparing students to work professionally in a field that may benefit from expanded study in the visual arts. Students may complete course work focused on a concentrated subject area.

Art History

Minor

This 21-hour program of studies in the Art Program is designed to enhance a baccalaureate degree program. Students may complete coursework focused on a concentrated subject area. The minor in art history is an enrichment program for students desiring recognition of accomplishments in the visual arts without the commitment required for a major in art.

Student in Plumb Hall

The art program at Emporia State University provides you with the resources and support to practice your craft in a supportive environment. Join us and become part of a community of creators. Your journey begins now.

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