Where in Chicago Can I Take Art Classes?

Students that are looking for an art degree in the Chicago area have numerous schools to choose from. Here you will find information on some of the schools in the area where students can earn a bachelor's or master's degree in art and also different study options available.

What You Need to Know

Art students in the Chicago area may choose to pursue a bachelor's or a master's degree in the field. Art programs are offered by four-year schools in the region, both public and private. Admission requirements and prerequisites vary widely, according to degree program and school, but may include immunization records, a portfolio, and/or letters of recommendation at the baccalaureate level. Master's degree students typically hold a bachelor's degree, although it may not be in art. Admission requirements will likely include a portfolio or work samples, letters of recommendation, a resume, and a personal statement or essay.

Chicago Schools with Bachelor's Degree Programs in Art

Columbia College - Chicago

Columbia College's B.F.A. program is for students intending to pursue artistic-related careers. Some of the courses you may take include art history, 2D- and 3D-design, drawing and photography. Students have several opportunities to participate in exhibitions, competitions, professional reviews and internships.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
• Field of Study Options: Advertising art direction, fine arts, graphic design, illustration, interior architecture, product design
• Program Length: 128 credits (roughly four years, full-time)
• Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $27,176 per year for in-state and out-of-state
• Admissions Requirements: one letter of recommendation, immunization records
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 6,825 students (about 6,568 undergraduate)

Northeastern Illinois University

The B.A. program in studio arts at Northeastern Illinois University emphasizes hands-on learning within an analytical and technical framework. You can expect to take classes in 2D- and 3D-design, art history, drawing and contemporary art. This school enforces a strict attendance policy, and missing more than three classes may adversely affect your grades. You may need to pay additional fees depending on what classes you take.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts (B.A.)
• Program Length: 120 credits (roughly four years, full-time)
• Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $11,218 per year for in-state and $20,726 per year for out-of-state
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 8,103 students (roughly 6,390 undergraduate)

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Founded in 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has a long history of providing art education. Today, the school has the largest school-museum campus in the country. The B.F.A. program is flexible, allowing students to work across departments and explore their personal interests. Courses include studies in liberal arts, art studio and art history, and there is an option to compete a liberal arts thesis.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts (B.F.A.)
• Program Length: 126 credit hours (roughly four years, full-time)
• Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $49,310 per year for in-state and out-of-state
• Admissions Requirements: Personal statement, one letter of recommendation, portfolio
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 3,639 students (about 2,893 undergraduate)

Chicago Schools with Master's Degree Programs in Art

Columbia College - Chicago

The interdisciplinary program at Columbia College brings together a wide spectrum of artistic fields, including sound, visual art, writing, drama and movement. You'll take courses in such topics as programming languages, drama, digital image capture technologies, movement theory and practice, light and art theory. Students are exposed to a wide range of world-renowned artists through the school's Visiting Artist program.

• Program Name: Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Arts
• Program Length: one year (full-time)
• Graduate Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $2,237 per year for in-state and out-of-state
• Admissions Requirements: Essay question response, two letters of recommendation, resume, official school transcripts, work sample
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 6,825 students (about 257 graduate)

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

SAIC's M.F.A. program includes required courses in art history, theory and criticism. The program also offers cross-disciplinary seminars in which you'll get to work with students from other studio areas. Each semester, students participate in 'Critique Week,' where classes are suspended and visiting artists and faculty members conduct critiques of graduate students' work.

• Program Name: Master of Fine Arts in Studio (M.F.A.)
• Field of Study Options: Art and technology; ceramics; design for emerging technologies; designed objects; fiber and materials studies; film, video, new media and animation; interior architecture; painting and drawing; performance; photography; print media; sculpture; sound, visual communication design
• Program Length: 60 credits (roughly two years, full-time)
• Graduate Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $49,310 per year for in-state and out-of-state
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree
• Admissions Requirements: Personal statement, two letters of recommendation, portfolio, official school transcripts
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 3,639 students (about 746 graduate)

University of Illinois at Chicago

UIC combines two broad but related disciplines - architecture and art - within the College of Architecture & the Arts. Graduate students can attend the college's School of Art and Design to pursue an M.F.A. across a wide range of topics. All M.F.A. students take 16 credits of contemporary art theory, and there is an option to conduct a 16-credit independent research project. The school requires all incoming students to purchase a Macintosh laptop computer.

• Program Name: Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)
• Field of Study Options: Graphic design, industrial design, moving image, new media arts, photography, studio arts
• Program Length: 64 credits (roughly three years, full-time)
• Graduate Tuition and Fees (2018-2019): $16,792 per year for in-state and $26,479 per year for out-of-state
• Prerequisites: Bachelor's degree
• Admissions Requirements: Official school transcripts, three letters of recommendation, personal statement, portfolio, resume
• School Type: 4-year, public; about 20,783 students (about 10,900 graduate)

To summarize, this article presents some of the choices available to students looking to earn a degree in art in the Chicago area - Columbia College - Chicago, Northeastern Illinois University, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and University of Illinois of Chicago.