Art BA & BFA
Why Pursue Art + Design?
At Piedmont, art and design students engage, inspire, and challenge themselves while building the skills to create a unique body of work. The Department of Art offers diverse courses and opportunities, from undergraduate programs to art education degrees, preparing students for creative careers.
Through BA and BFA programs, students gain professional preparation as artists, designers, curators, and makers, with concentrations in graphic design, ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, and sculpture. Collaboration across disciplines and real-world projects encourage research, innovation, and creative problem-solving.
- Bachelor of Arts (BA): A flexible degree ideal for students who want to combine art with an interdisciplinary double major or minor.
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA): An intensive studio experience for those pursuing graduate study or professional careers in art, design, and multimedia.
How a Piedmont Art Degree Helps You
Benefits of a Piedmont Art Degree:
- Develop a personal visual voice through concentrations in graphic design, drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, and sculpture.
- Build the skills to launch a career as an artist, designer, or maker.
- Train in world-class facilities, including the Smith Williams Art Studios and the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art.
- Gain valuable teaching experience through Piedmont’s general education curriculum.
Career Opportunities
An art degree from Piedmont opens doors to a wide range of professional pursuits. For instance, our graduates have gone on to build careers in:
Piedmont University’s Art Department combines small class sizes, hands-on studio experience, and dedicated faculty mentorship with proven job placement success—preparing you to excel as both an artist and an educator.
At Piedmont University, our art degree offers a comprehensive study of art history that deepens understanding of cultural, historical, and artistic contexts. This foundation equips students for careers in research, curatorial work, education, and museum professions with strong critical analysis and communication skills.
Piedmont’s Art degree blends art history, studio practice, and teaching methodology to prepare students for careers in education. Graduates are equipped for advanced studies and future roles as educators, researchers, and administrators in higher education.
The Art Department at Piedmont University prepares students to foster critical thinking and analytical skills essential for art criticism, combining in-depth study of art theory, history, and contemporary practices. Graduates are prepared to engage thoughtfully with artworks and contribute to scholarly discourse, journalism, and curatorial writing.
The Art Department at Piedmont University prepares students for careers in photo agencies and studios by developing strong technical photography skills alongside creative visual storytelling. With hands-on experience and personalized mentorship, graduates are equipped to produce compelling images for commercial, editorial, and artistic projects.
The Art Department at Piedmont University prepares students in art history, valuation, and provenance research. Graduates gain practical experience in cataloging and appraisal, equipping them to support successful auctions and art sales.
The Art Department at Piedmont University empowers students to thrive as freelance artists by building a strong foundation in technique, creative entrepreneurship, and self-promotion. Through studio-intensive courses and faculty mentorship, graduates leave with the skills, portfolio, and confidence to successfully navigate the freelance market.
Piedmont University’s art degree offers focused training in illustration, blending traditional techniques with digital tools to help students develop a unique visual voice. Graduates leave equipped to pursue careers in publishing, advertising, animation, and beyond with strong portfolios and professional skills.
Piedmont University’s Art Department prepares students with digital media skills and creative storytelling expertise for careers in internet media. Through hands-on training in design, animation, and content creation, graduates are prepared to craft visuals that captivate online audiences.
The Art Department at Piedmont University provides formal training in exhibit design and preparation, blending studio coursework with hands-on experience in planning and installing exhibitions for museums and trade shows. With a strong focus on professional practices, mentorship, and real-world opportunities, the program equips graduates to create engaging, educational, and impactful experiences for diverse audiences.
The Art Department at Piedmont University prepares students for careers by combining in-depth art history and material studies with practical experience in collection stewardship, exhibition curation, and public engagement through the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum. The program’s strong faculty mentorship, small class sizes, and real-world opportunities—from planning exhibits to managing gallery spaces—ensure graduates are well-prepared to work across all museum roles.
The Art Department at Piedmont University prepares students with the creative and technical skills needed for careers in display design. Through hands-on projects and coursework in spatial planning, visual merchandising, and fabrication, graduates are prepared to create engaging, effective displays for retail, exhibitions, and events.
The Art Department at Piedmont University prepares students for curatorial work through a strong foundation in art history, critical analysis, and hands-on experience with exhibition planning and gallery management. Our program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary learning and mentorship helps graduates build the research and communication skills essential for roles in museums and cultural institutions.
The Art Department at Piedmont University provides students a solid foundation in conservation, grounded in art history, materials study, and hands-on restoration techniques, while preparing you to care for and preserve artworks in museum or gallery settings. The program emphasizes experiential learning within the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum and faculty-led projects, giving students real-world conservation opportunities to develop critical technical and analytical skills.
The Art Department at Piedmont University prepares students for a career in collections by combining deep study in art history with practical experience in cataloging, documentation, and object handling. Through opportunities at our on-campus museum and personalized faculty mentorship, students gain the skills needed to manage and steward art collections in galleries, museums, and cultural institutions.
The Art Department at Piedmont University offers hands-on experience in professional gallery settings, including exhibition planning, installation, and curation at our on-campus Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art. With personalized mentorship and a curriculum rooted in both studio practice and art history, students graduate fully prepared to launch successful careers in galleries and the broader art world.
The Art Department at Piedmont University provides students with a strong foundation in graphic design through courses in digital design, visual communication, and creative problem-solving. With access to industry-standard software and personalized instruction, students graduate ready to pursue careers in graphic design, branding, packaging, multimedia and visual media.
The Art Department at Piedmont University prepares students studying art gain essential skills in computer graphics through coursework that blends digital tools with artistic principles. Our hands-on, studio-based approach equips graduates to create compelling visual content for careers in animation, game design, digital illustration, and multimedia production.
The Art Department at Piedmont University prepares students for careers in advertising by combining creative design skills with strategic communication and brand storytelling. Through real-world projects and personalized mentorship, graduates develop the versatility needed to create impactful campaigns across multiple media platforms.
The Art Department at Piedmont University prepares students with a strong foundation in design principles, technical skills, and creative problem-solving tailored for careers in design firms. Through hands-on projects and close faculty guidance, graduates are prepared to contribute innovative solutions in fields like product design, branding, and visual communication.
More About Art
Learn more about the Art degree and the variety of options available to you as a Piedmont student.
Both of Piedmont’s undergraduate art programs provide discipline, understanding, and experiential learning via a wide variety of coursework. Which path you choose will depend upon what your goals are after graduation. Piedmont’s bachelor of arts (BA) allows flexibility for students planning to pursue an interdisciplinary double major or minor in another field. Meanwhile, our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is a rigorous program designed for students planning to pursue a graduate degree in studio art, or for those students seeking a professional career as an artist, graphic designer, or other related multimedia areas.
Piedmont’s goal is to help you develop and inspire all your artistic instincts and passions. That is why our undergraduate programs look at all modes of creation, including traditional and digital means. We want you to grow and express your creativity in all methods so that you will continue to grow and learn even after you’ve completed your degree requirements.
Because of the way we structure our coursework, Piedmont allows you to balance the pursuit of art education with other undergraduate coursework. The result is that you can craft an education that provides a flexible and meaningful basis for a wide range of postgraduate pursuits – either for a career or to further your education.
Piedmont art instructors are aided by an inspirational backdrop. For instance, the Smith Williams Art Studios house dedicated spaces in ceramics, drawing, digital fabrication, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Meanwhile, the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art houses a permanent collection and holds exhibitions bringing artists from around the world to Piedmont University. And when you are a Lion, you will be able to make use of those facilities on a regular basis.
Related Programs
Intrigued by art? You might also be interested in one of these programs:
Meet our Faculty
Meet our talented faculty with both academic and professional experience in art.
Where do I start?
To begin your journey toward earning an art degree at Piedmont University, you can start by applying today! Or, schedule a campus visit and meet with admissions and financial aid advisors, as well as faculty members in health sciences.