Welcome to North Central College’s Art + Design Department Website!

The Art and Design Department at North Central College facilitates the development of visually literate students by providing opportunities for growth in both traditional and new media. Students receive group and individualized training in studio art, interactive media, art history and art education encouraging conceptual, technical and historical knowledge beneficial to diverse professions and communities.

Exploration in the Art and Design Department is possible both for the art major and for students simply interested in pursuing their creativity. Basic courses in studio work such as foundational design, drawing, painting and ceramics are structured to encourage students to develop a personal vision and appreciation of the art discipline. Advanced studio courses in ceramics, interactive media, painting, printmaking, figure drawing and sculpture continue student exploration, critical thinking and portfolio development. Art history courses investigate works of art from diverse historical periods and regions with attention given to the conditions of their production and viewing, their original functions and meanings and the roles they play in recording and shaping meanings. The art history curriculum helps students to develop skills associated with critical reading and the analysis of works of visual art and human culture using the research methodologies of the discipline.

Art majors seeking a teaching career are assisted by both the art and education faculty in designing a program that leads to certification by the State of Illinois. Because of flexible prerequisites in the art program, some students pursue a double major or a major and a minor.

Degrees offered: B.A., B.F.A. See details of majors and minors on our Programs + Degrees page. For more information see the Undergraduate Catalog.

Contact Us

The Art and Design Department is located at

Meiley Swallow Hall
31 S Ellsworth St,
Naperville, IL 60540
artanddesign@noctrl.edu