Art Education
Why pursue a degree in Art Education at North Central College?
In art education, you’ll develop your own artistic vision and foster the creativity of young people.
North Central’s exceptional art education curriculum includes plenty of studio time in our top-notch art facilities. Our facilities are outfitted with studios for painting, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, sculpture and interactive media. You’ll find your creative voice as a professional artist and have plenty of opportunities to share it in our dedicated gallery spaces.
The program also addresses current issues in K-12 education and leads to licensure by the State of Illinois. Because North Central graduates complete at least 155 pre-residency teaching hours, it’s no surprise that they enjoy extremely high teacher placement rates. Graduates are also prepared for a wide range of teaching possibilities in community art centers, children’s museums, art museums, parks and recreation departments and arts organizations.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN
- Creating and discussing art
- Helping students turn creative energy into works of art
- Educating the next generation
then a degree in ART EDUCATION might be for you.
Why study art education at North Central College?
In the Classroom
Art and Design Coursework:
- 2-Dimensional Design
- 3-Dimensional Design
- Art History
- Ceramics
- Digital Art and Design
- Drawing
- Painting
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
Education Coursework:
- Assessment of Learning
- Content Area Literacies
- Educational Technology
- Elementary Methods
- Equitable Learning Environments
- Equity and Access in Systems of Education
- Field Experience
- Foundations of Teaching and Learning
- Psychology
- Student Teaching Residency
- Teaching Students with Disabilities
Beyond the Classroom
As an art education major, you can:
- Participate in the Senior Art Show, solo and group exhibits, and juried events in the College’s dedicated exhibit spaces and local art galleries
- Network with prominent artists at on-campus gallery exhibits and talks
- Experience world-class art and architecture at galleries and museums in Chicago and Naperville
- Conduct undergraduate research and present your findings at the College’s Rall Symposium for Undergraduate Research
- Join the National Art Education Association, Artists Club, Photography Club or Ceramics Club
- Apply for competitive talent scholarships in art
- Access the University Partner Program offered by the Art Institute of Chicago:
- North Central students can gain admittance to the AIC free of charge with their North Central Student ID
- Experience lectures, educational programs, and other special events
Art Education, B.A.
Art education majors develop problem-solving skills and creative design thinking strategies through analysis, critique and creation of works of art. Students explore a range of media in foundational studio courses and refine their art practice in advanced courses, culminating in a senior art exhibition. Students pair the major with secondary education and are prepared for K-12 Art Teaching Certification as well as a wide range of teaching possibilities in community art centers, children's museums, art museums, parks and recreation departments and arts organizations.
For additional programs and courses in this department, see Art and Design.
Required Courses
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ARTD 107 - 2D Design: Explorations in Image Making
ARTD 107 - 2D Design: Explorations in Image Making
4 credit hours
A foundations course focused on process, study and application of core concepts of visual design — visual elements, principles of design and creative process. Course objectives include creative problem solving through acquisition of technical skills and introduction to a variety of materials.
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ARTD 120 - Drawing I: Observational Drawing
ARTD 120 - Drawing I: Observational Drawing
4.00 credit hours
An introductory drawing course focused on pictorial composition and black and white drawing media. Students sharpen perceptual awareness through drawing from direct observation and explore space, line, value, shape, form, texture, perspective and sighting and measuring.
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ARTD 130 - Painting I: Materials, Tools and Techniques
ARTD 130 - Painting I: Materials, Tools and Techniques
4.00 credit hours
An introductory painting course focused on the visual language of painting and the basics of pictorial composition. Students explore the fundamentals of color theory as well as the materials, tools and techniques of painting from various periods.
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ARTD 140 - Digital Art and Design
ARTD 140 - Digital Art and Design
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to digital imaging, computer graphics and graphic design to communicate messages using digital visuals. Emphasizes hands-on computer experience with digital image manipulation techniques, drawing and editing tools that allow students to create computer based graphic arts, design and page layout.
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ARTD 150 - Ceramics I: Introduction to Form and Techniques
ARTD 150 - Ceramics I: Introduction to Form and Techniques
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to clay placing an emphasis on hand building and wheel throwing techniques. Exploration of designing, decorating and firing procedures that address concepts of three-dimensional design and connections to historical and contemporary ceramics.
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ARTD 160 - 3D Design: Form and Space
ARTD 160 - 3D Design: Form and Space
4.00 credit hours
A studio foundation course focused on process, study, and application of core concepts of art and design through the form and structure of three-dimensional space. Course objectives explore creative problem solving through acquisition and development of conceptual and technical skills by using a variety of materials.
One of the following:
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ARTD 210 - Printmaking I
ARTD 210 - Printmaking I
4.00 credit hours
A survey of printmaking processes focused on the contemporary and historical roles of the multiple.
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ARTD 260 - Sculpture I: Modern and Contemporary
ARTD 260 - Sculpture I: Modern and Contemporary
4.00 credit hours
An introduction to the critical principles and communicative possibilities of sculpture. Methods include exploring and researching the conceptual and technical works of modern and contemporary artists and their material exploration. The key concepts, materials and processes of sculpture using carving, modeling and construction are developed through individual projects, analysis and reflection.
Studio Art Electives
- Four credit hours from studio art electives at the 200-level
- Eight credit hours from studio art electives at the 300-level
- Note: Studio electives should be from different methods for breadth
Art History Courses
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ARTH 100 - World Art Histories I
ARTH 100 - World Art Histories I
4.00 credit hours
Art history survey of visual art and architecture until 1400 CE. Geographic regions considered include the Mediterranean, Near East, Europe, Asia and Africa, emphasizing interactions between cultures.
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ARTH 102 - World Art Histories II
ARTH 102 - World Art Histories II
4.00 credit hours
Art history survey of visual art and architecture from 1400 CE through today. Geographic regions considered include the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa, emphasizing interactions between cultures.
One of the following:
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ARTH 302 - Modern Art
ARTH 302 - Modern Art
4.00 credit hours
Historical development of modernism in the visual arts and architecture 1870-1970. Emphasis on theory, research and writing.
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ARTH 304 - Contemporary Art
ARTH 304 - Contemporary Art
4.00 credit hours
Historical development of contemporary art internationally in the visual arts and architecture 1960-today. Emphasis on theory, research and writing.
Senior Art Exhibit/Capstone
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ARTD 496 - Exhibition I: Research and Development
ARTD 496 - Exhibition I: Research and Development
0.00-1.00 credit hours
Students generate viable exhibition project proposals through research and discussion. The proposals are presented for evaluation to a panel of review. The course forms the basis of projects to be presented at the senior student exhibition, the capstone experience of art and design majors.
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ARTD 498 - Exhibition II: Production and Installation
ARTD 498 - Exhibition II: Production and Installation
0.00-1.00 credit hours
Capstone experience where students produce exhibition projects that demonstrate their ability to design, justify, execute and present the results of original research based projects. Students work closely with an assigned project advisor, in addition to participating in supporting workshops, presenting at the senior student exhibition and defending the work at a final critique panel.
Notes:
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Education Requirements
Completion of the
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EDUC 331 - Elementary Methods: Art
EDUC 331 - Elementary Methods: Art
4.00 credit hours
An interactive study of art education issues and practices for the elementary portion of K-12 Art Teacher certification. Through discussion, observation and modeling, students use state goals and curricula to develop a meaningful, integrated art program. The focus is on sequential skill building, expressive content lessons and teaching strategies based on the physical, social and emotional needs of the grades 1-6 student.
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EDUC 332 - Elementary Field Experience: Art
EDUC 332 - Elementary Field Experience: Art
1.00 credit hours
Provides students with an extended field experience in an elementary school art classroom supervised jointly by an NCC supervisor and the classroom teacher. Students complete 50 hours of supervised field work, applying research-based methods to actual teaching situations in the elementary school setting. At least twice during the term, an NCC supervisor observes the students as they conduct lessons and conducts a follow up conference in which the student and supervisor evaluate and discuss the lesson. Students are required to provide proof of health insurance. Registration for this course at least 15 days prior to the first day of the term is strongly encouraged as additional background checks may be required; an additional fee could be incurred based on district requirements for background checks. Background check required. Tuberculosis test required.
Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the
Studio Art Education Internships and Jobs
A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.
Internships
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Art facilitator, DuPage Children’s Museum, Naperville
Careers
Recent graduates in art education include:
- Aurora school districts
- Chicago Public Schools
- East Aurora School District 131
- Naperville School District 203
- Indian Prairie School District 204
- Plainfield School District 202
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