Art knows no boundaries. Prepare yourself for the same.

Art is more than a pastime—it is a disciplined craft and a professional pursuit rooted in skill, vision, and purpose. The art program provides comprehensive visual arts training grounded in fine arts traditions while incorporating contemporary techniques and creative exploration, allowing you to develop technical mastery across diverse media and artistic methodologies.

Through close mentorship and hands-on art education, experienced faculty guide you in foundational design principles, artistic theory, and portfolio development. You will graduate prepared for a sustainable career in the creative industries, equipped with the discipline, technical proficiency, and professional insight required to succeed in today’s evolving visual arts landscape.

Anchor: Stats & Accolades

By the numbers

$49,960

Average Artist Salary

6%

Industry Growth

80%

Faculty Hold Highest Degree in the Field

17:1

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Anchor: FAQs

Common Questions in Art

Anchor: Programs & Requirements
Programs & Requirements

Programs & Requirements

* The credit hours listed on this page only reference the specific program requirements and is not reflective of the total hours necessary to receive your degree. Cumberlands requires all students obtain a minimum of 60 hours for an associate’s degree and a total of 120 hours for a bachelor’s degree. Transfer and prior learning credits may be counted toward those totals.

To learn more about our General Education Requirements, please visit the page referenced below or explore our Academic Catalog

General Education Requirements

 

Bachelor of Science in Art

The Art program provides students with a broad foundation in studio art, design, art history, and creative expression while encouraging the development of individual artistic style and professional practice. Through coursework in drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media, graphic design, ceramics, photography, and visual communication, students explore both traditional and contemporary approaches to artmaking. The curriculum emphasizes technical skill development, creative problem-solving, critical analysis, and visual storytelling while helping students understand the historical, cultural, and social influences that shape artistic expression. Through hands-on studio experiences, portfolio development, and interdisciplinary learning, students gain the knowledge and creative confidence needed for careers in the arts, design industries, education, and related creative fields.

What You'll Learn

Students in the Art program develop knowledge and skills in:

  • Drawing, composition, and visual design principles
  • Painting techniques and color theory
  • Sculpture and three-dimensional design
  • Ceramics and studio-based artistic processes
  • Photography and digital imaging
  • Graphic design and visual communication
  • Digital art and emerging creative technologies
  • Art history and the study of major artistic movements
  • Creative problem-solving and conceptual development
  • Portfolio creation and professional presentation
  • Visual storytelling and audience engagement
  • Critical analysis of artwork and design
  • Studio practice and artistic experimentation
  • Cultural, historical, and contemporary perspectives in art
  • Professional communication within creative industries

Graduates leave the program with the ability to create and evaluate visual work, communicate ideas through multiple artistic mediums, apply design principles across traditional and digital platforms, and develop a professional body of work that reflects both technical proficiency and creative vision.

Course Requirements

Minor in Art

The opportunity to explore your artistic skills and see examples of work from other talented artists while pursuing a separate major degree in the meantime.

Course Requirements

As an art student at UC, I’ve learned not only how to express my passion as an artist, but to see every artistic and beautiful aspect of the world around us. 

Rachel Wade
Art Student
Anchor: Mission & Goals

Mission & Goals

The purpose of the University of the Cumberlands Department of Art is to provide a broad course offering to students who wish to pursue a fine arts career and those who want to obtain teaching certifications.

Develop your individual creative ability.
Investigate humanity’s cultural heritage as revealed through visual art.
Hone your psychomotor skills using a variety of media to create skillful works of art.
Learn to make intelligent and qualitive judgments about visual artwork.
Enrich the aesthetic environment of the college and community through art exhibitions and other opportunities.
Anchor: Career Outcomes

Art Careers & Outcomes

Use art to grow your individual capacity in the workforce across a variety of fields

Fine Artist: $68,870

This career includes creating, developing, producing, and exhibiting your work.

Illustrator/Graphic Designer: $50,710

Illustrating pictures and graphics for anything such as books, websites, and infographics.

Museum Curator: $67,490

Administer collections of art for museums and conduct public events for art museums.

Post-Secondary Instructor: $93,440

Teaching art classes at the college level, guiding students to develop their artistic talents, and providing resources to students for a career in art.

High School Teacher: $61,820

Teach high school classes related to art such as drawing, painting, and art history.

Art Tutor: $44,820

Individually tutor art students on how to strengthen and perfect their talents and skills within a subject of art.

Anchor: Faculty

Faculty Experts in Art

Learn more about the professors you will interact with and view the list of the art faculty. 

Geraldine Allen

Geraldine Allen

Assistant Professor
Art

Geraldine Allen

Contact Information

geraldine.allen [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building
Alexa Brooks

Alexa Brooks

Assistant Professor
Art

Alexa Brooks

Contact Information

alexa.brooks [at] ucumberlands.edu
Russell Weedman

Russell Weedman

Department Chair / Professor
Art

Russell Weedman

Contact Information

russell.weedman [at] ucumberlands.edu
Luecker Building

Request Information

Ask us anything about the art program at Cumberlands.

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