A female student sits at a work table and uses a sketch pad and colored pencils to draw an image

Visual Art

Programs
Courses

You will receive a strong foundation in studio art, color theory, conceptualization, presentation and art history, along with encouragement to create in studio practice.

Visual Arts Administration

Program Overview

Shape the art world through business and arts management. Whether its curating, professionally collecting and preserving art, or magnifying the role art plays in communities, a degree in visual arts administration from Lipscomb University will prepare you for a career of influence.

Learn from experienced faculty who will lead you to excel in your specialization. Soak in the Nashville art community and art scene. Take on studio practice and work in our student-run Open gallery in downtown Nashville. At Lipscomb, you will have many opportunities for experiential learning and networking to launch into your career. We'll connect you to top internships in museums, galleries and studios. In a faith-based, service-focused community, you’ll develop the professional and personal skills needed to succeed as a leader in the arts.

Program Foundations

As a visual art administration student, you will add business, management and entrepreneurial knowledge to your skill set, along with nine hours of visual art electives. Upon graduation, you will be ready to begin your career in the art business.

Visual Arts Teaching

Program Overview

Inspire and mold the next generation of artists. With a visual arts teaching degree from Lipscomb University, you will be prepared to teach arts education at the primary and secondary levels. Introduce your students to a wide-range of perspectives in the world of art and strengthen their artistic skills. By sharing your passion for art, you will encourage creativity and provide your students with multiple forms of expression.

Hone your artistic skills and knowledge within a community of faith. At Lipscomb, you will develop professionally, personally and spiritually as you live out your calling. Take advantage of the opportunity to study in the vibrant, exciting city of Nashville and its art community. Learn from experienced faculty and professionals, take on studio practice and work in our student-operated Open gallery in downtown Nashville. You will graduate from Lipscomb ready to lead students and make a difference in their lives through art.

Program Foundations

As a visual arts teaching student, you will combine your artistic foundation with training in core and specialized professional education. When you graduate from our program, you will be well-equipped to teach art at primary and secondary levels.

Student teaching required for visual arts teaching.

Courses

Visual Arts Teaching

General education required of secondary and K-12 teacher education students

Specialized professional education

AR 3503 - Methods of Teaching Visual Arts

Subject matter specialization

Foundation courses:

AR 1033 - Foundation Studio I
AR 1043 - Foundation Studio II
AR 1053 - Foundation Studio III
AR 1213 - Color Theory
AR 1513 - Conceptualization and Presentation
AR 1723 - New Media Studio

Other required courses:

AR 2253 - Printmaking I
AR 2613 - Painting I
AR 3513 - Art for Children
AR 4933 - Christianity in the Visual Arts
and three additional studio art courses of choice

Art history courses:

AR 4813 - Survey of History of Art I
AR 4823 - Survey of History of Art II
AR 4843 - Art Since 1940

Note:

Visual arts teaching majors have a built-in minor in education and are not required to take another minor.

Visual Arts Administration

18 hours of required foundation courses:

AR 1033 - Foundation Studio I
AR 1043 - Foundation Studio II
AR 1053 - Foundation Studio III
AR 1213 - Color Theory
AR 1513 - Conceptualization and Presentation
AR 1723 - New Media Studio

15 hours of required tier two studio and design courses:

AR 2233 - Sculpture I
AR 2253 - Printmaking I
AR 2313 - Digital Photography I
AR 2613 - Painting I
AR 3713 - Foundations in Graphic Design

18 hours of required art history courses:

AR 2513 - History of Graphic Design
AR 3133 - Art Theory
AR 4813 - Survey of History of Art I
AR 4823 - Survey of History of Art II
AR 4843 - Art Since 1940
AR 4933 - Christianity in the Visual Arts
12 hours of special topics in art history, art administration, interdisciplinary courses, and/or internships

Specific courses required in business (18 hours):

EC 2413 - Principles of Microeconomics (must be taken prior to beginning this minor)
AC 2503 - Financial Accounting
BA 3703 - Business Communication
ENT 2503 - An Introduction to Business
MG 3503 - Leading and Managing People and
MG 4453 - Human Resource Management
MK 3503 - Principles of Marketing

Note:

Visual arts administration majors have a built-in minor in business and are not required to take another minor.

Contact Information

Internship

Become more competitive in the job market with an internship related to your interests. You’ll gain experience and boost your exposure. An internship will also help you learn whether you’ve chosen a career you’ll enjoy.

Job placement

With a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. Most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

100%

Graduate School Acceptance Rate

Our Faculty

Cliff Eanes Tierney

Associate Professor

Cliff Eanes Tierney is an artist and currently holds the position of associate professor of art at Lipscomb University in Nashville, where he chairs the Department of Visual Arts. Professionally, his...
Meet Cliff Eanes Tierney
Rocky Horton

Director of the School of Art and Design

Rocky Horton was born in Arlington, Tennessee. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Art from Harding University, he lived and worked in Italy, first Milano then Napoli,...
Meet Rocky Horton

Christian Art Program in the U.S.

Career Paths

Craft and Fine Artists

Craft and fine artists use a variety of materials and techniques to create art for sale and exhibition. Craft artists create handmade objects, such as pottery, glassware, textiles and other objects that are designed to be functional. Fine artists, including painters, sculptors and illustrators, create original works of art for their aesthetic value, rather than for a functional one.

Archivists, Curators and Museum Workers

Archivists appraise, process, catalog and preserve permanent records and historically valuable documents. Curators oversee collections of artwork and historic items, and may conduct public service activities for an institution. Museum technicians and conservators prepare and restore objects and documents in museum collections and exhibits.

Art Directors

Art directors are responsible for the visual style and images in magazines, newspapers, product packaging and movie and television productions. They create the overall design of a project and direct others who develop artwork and layouts.

Visual Art

Programs

Visual Arts Administration

Program Overview

Program Foundations

Visual Arts Teaching

Program Overview

Program Foundations

Courses

Visual Arts Teaching

Visual Arts Administration

Internship

Job placement

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Our Faculty

Cliff Eanes Tierney

Rocky Horton

Career Paths

Craft and Fine Artists

Archivists, Curators and Museum Workers

Art Directors

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