Art + Design

Department of Art + Design

The mission of the Department of Art + Design is to awaken the critical, creative, and analytical potential of our students through the teaching and practice of the visual arts.

Thank you for your interest in the visual art program at Central Washington University. We believe we have a lot to offer a wide variety of students through our BA and BFA degrees in the areas of Studio Art, Graphic Design, Art Education and Art History. The degrees offered are as follows: 

BA in Art, BA in Art Education, BA in Art History, BFA in Studio Art, BFA in Graphic Design

Our studio areas include: Ceramics, Drawing, Graphic Design, Jewelry and Metalsmithing, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Wood Design. The Bachelor of Fine Arts or BFA, with 110 required credits, provides more breadth and depth in art than the Bachelor of Arts or BA, with 75 credits. The BFA is considered the degree for professional preparation in the arts. The BA degree provides a solid art foundation for a career that may include the combination of another area of interest.

The Art Education BA satisfies the endorsement for visual arts. A comprehensive visual-art program that qualifies students to teach art at either the elementary or secondary levels. Students taking this major are required to apply to the Teacher Preparation Program and complete the Secondary Education program offered through the Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership Department, to receive their Washington State licensure.

The BA in Art History is an interdisciplinary major providing a global perspective from the prehistoric era to the present. This program prepares students to meet the growing demand for archivists, curators, and museum professionals. The Art History faculty offer field trips to museums and annual study abroad opportunities.         

The Department of Art + Design is in Randall Hall, a two-story building designed for visual art instruction. Within the confines of the building are large, specialized facilities for our various classes. Over 350 CWU undergraduates are currently majoring or minoring in the visual arts. With 20 diverse art faculty we are able to keep the student/teacher ratio low allowing for greater personal attention in the studio and classroom environment. The Sarah Spurgeon Gallery offers the campus of Central Washington University and the community at large the opportunity to view, experience, and display art firsthand. We also have Gallery 231, our student gallery for exhibiting our students’ final portfolio as their culminating experience.

Choosing the right college and creative environment to pursue a visual arts education is a difficult task. We are excited that as a creative and motivated person you have decided to attend Central Washington University and join us in the Department of Art + Design. During your time at Central you will work with faculty members who are professionals in their fields. The Art + Design faculty are recognized for their work regionally, nationally, and internationally. We are successful practicing artists, designers and scholars and are passionate about interacting with creative students such as you.

The Sarah Spurgeon Gallery offers the campus of Central Washington University and the community at large the opportunity to view and experience art and design first hand. The Gallery's exhibitions and related outreach programs (such as workshops, artist lectures, and interpretive programs) are designed to support the Department's educational objectives as well as to enhance, engage, and challenge the viewer’s knowledge and understanding of art.

Gallery 231: One of the first and only galleries in Washington devoted solely to student artwork, Gallery 231 at Central Washington University is a distinctive and professional space designed to showcase student talent. The gallery supports the student educational experience by dedicating space for undergraduates to mount exhibits and garner classroom critiques for their senior capstone project. A professional degree in art requires the skills and knowledge to mount a professional-quality exhibition.  Gallery 231 gives students the hands-on experience of designing and lighting an exhibit of their personal artworks. The gallery offers 600 square feet of exhibit space. Gallery 231 is located in room 231 in Randall Hall on the campus of Central Washington University.