If you would like to study visual art at a Christian college, you have many more options today than were available to Christian students twenty or thirty years ago, according to Huffington Post. Christian colleges have experienced rapid enrollment growth since 1990. More than twenty percent of Christian colleges and universities in the United States offer visual arts programs, including studio art, photography, digital art and more. However, some questions arise because of the differences in philosophy between traditional art programs, which use nude models and often encourage questioning of authority, and the values and practices that Christian colleges emphasize.

Resource: Top 10 Christian College Visual Arts Programs 2018

Visual Art

A number of colleges and universities that are members of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities offer bachelor’s degrees in Visual Arts. The degrees may be referred to as Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts. Traditional programs in visual arts provide education in design, composition, color theory. Hands-on classes include drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media.

Graphic Design

Students who engage in graphic design degrees will learn to draw and sketch, but they also learn principles and history of graphic design, illustration, logo design and color theory. A graphic design degree is focused on working for businesses or other organizations, including churches, to develop materials for print, digital, and mobile technologies.

Photography, Digital Art, and Animation/Film

Artists can create beautiful images that exist only in digital form. Advancing skills in photography, digital artwork, and film/animation is a challenging field of creative study. Colleges need up to date software, well-equipped studios, and faculty who are expert in the fast-paced world of digital art, photography and animation/film production.

Master’s Degrees in Art

Christian colleges and universities which offer master’s degrees in art blend Christian philosophy with skill and practice in the type of art a student wants to pursue as a career, whether as an art teacher or a practicing artist. In order to obtain a master’s degree in art, students must be familiar not only with contemporary art and techniques, but also the history and theory of their chosen field. Several Christian colleges and universities offer post-baccalaureate degrees in art or design.

The desire to study art and be an artist doesn’t have to conflict with a Christian-centered education and lifestyle. Many of history’s most famous works of art were created for Christian worship, such as the Sistine Chapel. You can blend your art and faith by selecting an art program at a Christian college that is right for you.