☰ In This Section

Use your art and design skills to express yourself—and discover a greater purpose.

The Department of Art and Design inspires students to shape the world through objects and visual communication. Here, we emphasize holistic creativity, helping students to grow in their creativity in deep and meaningful ways so they can become active contributors within the creative diversity of society outside the classroom.

Woven into this curriculum is a rich gallery program that brings many professional artists to campus for exhibition in our two galleries and for interactive artist talks. In addition, there are multiple opportunities each year for students to exhibit their own work in the campus galleries, plus additional opportunities in exhibition spaces in the Twin Cities’ extensive art scene. Gallery assistantships, internships and Teaching Assistant opportunities are available to all students who seek them.

Majors, Minors, and Programs

Art Major Minor
Art History Minor Minor
Art Therapy Major
Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) Major
Graphic Design Major Minor
Photojournalism Minor Minor

Recent News

News Feed

We believe everyone has a story to tell. Envision how Bethel could become part of yours.

Latest News and Stories

Upcoming Events

MAR 25 2024

Raspberry Monday

Johnson Gallery

The 52nd year of the annual juried student exhibition!

MAR 25 2024

Raspberry Monday Reception

7 p.m. Johnson Gallery

Join us in celebrating students for their work in Raspberry Monday!

MAR 26 2024

Raspberry Monday

Johnson Gallery

The 52nd year of the annual juried student exhibition!

MAR 27 2024

Raspberry Monday

Johnson Gallery

The 52nd year of the annual juried student exhibition!

Combining Creativity with Technical Skills

The Department of Art and Design offers majors and minors in art, fine art, graphic design, art therapy, photojournalism, and art history to help you shape the world through the media, method, and visual communication of your choosing. We teach each student the technical skills and processes needed for freedom of expression alongside the ideas, culture, art history and theory that make art and design meaningful vocations. No matter a student’s specific discipline or major, we encourage engagement with materials and media of every kind, from bronze, paint, ink and clay to graphics, video and photography. Our numerous studio spaces and professional faculty offer students the support they need to engage in the creative experimentation that will lead them to become successful emerging artists and designers.

Painting student mentored by faculty.

11:1

art majors to faculty ratio

6

exhibits each year featured in our 2 on-campus galleries

Program Highlights

Mentoring

You’ll receive instruction and one-on-one mentoring from professional artists every day. Our professors are all active and experienced artists and teachers that will come alongside you to encourage you in your artistic growth and help you find direction.

Real-world experience

We believe in giving our students experiences that prepare them for their creative lives as artists outside of the university. Throughout the year students have numerous opportunities to meet professional artists, publicly exhibit their work in our Bethel galleries and in the Minneapolis art scene, receive faculty and peer feedback, and collaborate with faculty on installations, research publications and grants.

Career preparation

You can’t automate creativity. Now, more than ever, companies seek those with skills in the creative arts. Not only will our courses and the faculty that teach them give you the artistic skills you need to succeed, we will teach you how to network, apply for competitive internships, write grant proposals, and create your personal website.

Access well-equipped studios 7 days a week

The department has nine studios that art and design students can access and use throughout the week. Beyond that, during your senior year as an art or design major, you will be given your own studio space, preparing you even further for your creative practice outside the classroom.

What can I do with an art and/or design major?

Art and design students at Bethel are creative and visual thinkers, hands-on learners, and imaginative makers. No matter a student’s particular major, our curriculum offers a full suite of courses in studio arts, graphic design, art history, and art therapy. This allows students to fully explore their art interests and expand their technical skills and creative expression as they progress through their chosen program. At graduation all of our students have a broad range of skills that prepares them for success in many career fields.

Careers

Bethel art and design graduates work as:

  • Animators
  • Advertisers
  • Architects
  • Art directors
  • Art historians
  • Art therapists
  • Artist or university educators
  • Brand developers
  • Community arts administrators
  • Computer graphics and digital designer
  • Craft artists
  • Creative directors at various churches
  • Creative marketers for businesses and corporations
  • Editorial designers
  • Environmental designers
  • Freelance graphic designers
  • Illustrators
  • Interior and furniture designers
  • Curators and assistants at art museums and galleries
  • Motion graphic designers
  • Photographers
  • Product managers and designers
  • Professional studio artists
  • Publishers
  • Set and costume designers
  • Transportation designers
  • User interface designer
  • User experience designers
  • Video and film producers
  • Web designers

Graduate Schools

Graduate schools our alumni have attended:

  • Yale University
  • School of the Art Institute of Chicago
  • Cranbrook Art Academy
  • Rhode Island School of Design
  • Pratt Institute
  • Claremont Graduate University
  • Hunter College, NYC
  • Prescott College
  • University of Minnesota
  • Minneapolis College of Art and Design
  • Academy of Fine Art, Vienna
  • Goldsmith School of Visual Arts, London
  • School of Visual Arts, NYC
  • CalArts, LA
  • The University of Barcelona