Department of Art & Design - University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Forging creativity and
academics into careers

Fall 2024 Spring / Summer 2025 Fall 2025

Welcome to the Department of Art and Design

Welcome to the Department of Art and Design! We are happy that you are considering becoming a part of art instruction established in 1969 under the leadership of innovative African American arts educator, John Howard. Our department expands your talent and technique to prepare you for a successful career that allows you to pursue your passion.

Careers for those with degrees in Art and Design vary from fine artists who display their work across the globe, to graphic designers, to teachers, photographers, marketing professionals, or even interior designers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 94,000 jobs are projected to open each year through 2031. Whether you want to create emotional and compelling works of art, or design in a way that is commercial in nature, our department is excited and prepared to help you open doors to opportunities and nurture your creativity.

If you want to fuel your passion for art and design while learning the historical, global, and academic aspects of these fields, you should become a part of The Pride’s Art and Design Department.

Apply today!

Contact Us

Dr. Karen DeJarnette
Chair, Department of Art and Design
University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
(870) 575-8236
dejarnettek@uapb.edu

The Department of Art and Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Our Mission

The Department of Art and Design exists to prepare talented students for professional and teaching careers in the visual arts, and through a strong foundational program that combines teaching excellence with individual attention and a commitment to build academic success in a creative, stimulating and rapidly changing environment. The department’s historical legacy of providing the underserved population continues to nurture and develop scholars into positive and socially responsible graduates who affect change in the workplace and the community. The department is committed to preserving and enriching the appreciation of the arts throughout the community and beyond the state while gaining national and international exposure.

Art & Design Features

Matthew Fields
B.S. in Visual Arts
Class of 2019

OUR IMPACT

Notable Alumni

John Miller Howard, artist and founder of the arts department at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, was a nationally recognized artist and art influencer in the state.

Grants

The UAPB Art Department is extending more scholarship and project opportunities to students thanks to a $2.2 million gift that established the Windgate Foundation Scholarship Endowment.

Scholarships

UAPB’s Art and Design Department is a proud participant of Tiffany & Co.’s About Love Scholarship Program, an ongoing partnership with the Carters and collaboration with BeyGOOD and the Shawn Carter Foundation, where students benefit from $2 million in scholarship funding.

Portfolios and Exhibits

To showcase the talent within our department, we are excited to share student, faculty and alumni exhibits, in addition to outstanding student portfolio work.

Degree Options

The Department of Art offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Art, with a curriculum for Visual Art (non-teaching and a curriculum in Art Education (teaching). The curriculum in visual arts is designed to prepare students for graduate or professional school and to meet the market needs in commercial or fine arts. The curriculum leading to teaching certification is designed for those students who wish to pursue a career in teaching in the elementary and secondary schools.

General Departmental Requirements

Art majors should acquaint themselves with the institutional requirements and the requirements of the department.
The department assigns all art majors a faculty advisor and expects all art majors to consult their advisor prior to registering each semester.
Art majors must take a drawing or painting course each semester until they complete all required courses.
The department reserves the right to keep students’ work produced in the studio classes for exhibition and demonstration purposes.
The department advises all art majors to select a strong minor area of study.
The art education major must meet the requirements for admission to the teacher education program. (See Admission to the School of Education)
All art majors with 30 hours from graduation must meet with the art faculty for a senior review and to discuss final details for their senior exhibition.

Bachelor of Science in Art Education
The Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education focuses heavily on the student’s knowledge of art and art production, and on the articulation of that knowledge. Degree requirements include 50 hours in art (art studio, art history, art education) and 77 hours in professional education, general education, and institutional requirements. Prior to graduation, all art education students must present a comprehensive slide portfolio of work produced during the last two years of enrollment.
Students majoring in Art Education must make a formal written application to Teacher Education (see criteria for admittance listed under Admission to the School of Education.) Students are strongly urged to meet with their advisor, and then with an advisor in the School of Education early in their program. Required tests (Praxis Series) and scores, and other School of Education requirements for licensure will be clearly delimited at this time.
Students following the Art Education curriculum must take a comprehensive diagnostic examination prior to graduation. For guidelines concerning the comprehensive examination and portfolio, student should consult their advisor.
Bachelor of Science in Visual Arts
The Bachelor of Science degree with concentration in Visual Arts requires a minimum of seventy-seven (77) hours credit in art-related or studio courses, plus forty-nine (49) hours of general education and institutional required courses. Each student following this curriculum is required to present a one-person show and an approved portfolio of the most outstanding works produced for completion of degree requirements.

Forging creativity and academics into careers