Advising Info: Planning your Degree

No, if you are accepted to SMCM, you can major or minor in ART.

The department offers a Bachelor of Arts degree (BA) in art, as well as an art minor.

Talk to an art professor, or email the department chair: Carrie Patterson (ccpatterson@smcm.edu)

Prospective and declared ART majors should take the two Core courses in art in their first year. These include ART 205: Introduction to Visual Thinking, and ARTH 100: Introduction to Art History. While these courses may be taken in any order, we encourage students to take ART 205 as early as possible. Students also need to complete four introductory (200-level) studio art courses before advancing to upper-level courses, so we recommend taking these as early as possible.

We want to help you choose the courses you are interested in and to assist you in developing a course plan to graduate in a timely manner. Contact the department chair: Carrie Patterson (ccpatterson@smcm.edu)

If you are already taking an ART or ARTH course, talk to your professor, or email the department chair: Carrie Patterson (ccpatterson@smcm.edu)

It is easy to do – go to My Portal, and you will see a link to declare your major or minor.

Yes, we encourage students to study abroad, and many ART students study for a semester, full-year or on a study tour. SMCM has sponsored programs to study art in Italy (Rome, Florence, and Perugia) and there are many other study abroad opportunities in other countries. Ask your art advisor and visit the Office of International Education: https://dev.smcm.edu/academics/study-abroad/

The department sponsors many events each academic year. Check out this year’s events at:
https://dev.smcm.edu/art/events/
The department also sponsors visiting artists through the Artist House Residency Programs:
https://dev.smcm.edu/art/artist-house/about-artist-house/

Yes, there are several exhibition spaces including the Boyden Gallery and Hallwalls. The Annual All Student show takes place each spring semester in the Boyden Gallery, and SMP in Art exhibitions also take place in the gallery. The Department’s Hallwalls exhibition space is scheduled by faculty to show work from courses and special exhibitions, including student-organized pop-up shows.

The Department grants a number of scholarships and awards annually. View the list here.

Each ART course has an academic fee which covers basic materials expenses. Depending on the nature of a particular course, academic fees range from $75-$150. Your professor often orders materials in bulk ahead of time to save you money. Academic fees also cover materials that are used communally. There will still be some art materials that you will need to purchase on your own. Typically for art courses there are no textbooks that need to be purchased separately.

Art professors will provide a list of materials in the course syllabus. Materials can be purchased at the Campus Bookstore, at local art supply stores, and online.

Talk with your ART advisor, and visit the Office of Internships. https://dev.smcm.edu/academics/internships/ Also subscribe to the department’s Facebook page where you will find occasional postings of internship opportunities, https://www.facebook.com/StMarysARTH/

Yes, many ART majors have a second major or minor. To find out what is best for your academic and post-graduation plans, make an appointment with your ART advisor to learn about the possibilities.

Yes, the department organizes an annual art trip to a city with museums, galleries and artist studios. In recent years trips have been to New York City. Individual professors sometimes will organize field trips related to a particular course in the mid-Atlantic region including Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, MD.

Professor Carrie Patterson offers several courses that introduce students to the field, and she can advise students interested in art education (ccpatterson@smcm.edu“>ccpatterson@smcm.edu). Courses include: ART 369 Art for Educators and ART 269 Community Arts. Students may also serve as a course teaching assistant for specific courses with permission of the instructor by enrolling in ART 307 Practicum in Art Instruction. The College also offers a minor in Educational Studies, and an M.A.T. (Masters of Teaching). Students with an interest in art education should consider minoring in Educational Studies. Students are encouraged to set up an appointment with the department chair of Educational Studies as early as possible:
https://dev.smcm.edu/educationalstudies/

Yes, check out our alum page to find out about the diverse jobs and careers our graduates pursue. The department offers ART 410 Professional Practices in Art which is a course that helps prepare students for life after graduation. The College’s Career Center also has many resources for current students and alumnae.

Commercial photographer, magazine editor, curator, art buyer, photo editor, photojournalist, social media marketer, fine artist, graphic designer, illustrator, animator, graphic novelist, public or private school art teacher, community arts organizer, designer, landscape architect, architect, government-related arts jobs, historic preservation, radio production, interior design, art criticism, nonprofit management, academic/ scholar, and museum arts educator, and more!

Email the professor of the course to ask to be placed on the wait list. Also, let your Art advisor know you are trying to register for a course that is currently closed.

See the list of Elective Course Plans that focus in these areas: Fine Arts and Design; The Natural World; Time, Sequence and Story; New Genres and Technology; and Art Education and Social Practice.