Who We Are
In the School of Art and Design, students explore a multitude of media and art forms, scholarship, and research, discovering pathways for personal artistry along with professional applications. We cultivate creative futures for a diverse student population through a commitment to rigorous studio-arts-based education, incorporating personal and connected expression with the potential to affect broader change.
Within our programs, we encourage experimental and innovative integration of new and traditional media, informed by contemporary theory and broader cultural exploration past and present. Students develop a nuanced understanding of visual expression, contextualization, and critical examination. For those interested in art education, we offer the opportunity to become licensed to teach K-12 art, shaping the next generation of creative minds in schools and beyond.
Mission
In the School of Art and Design, we explore media and art forms, scholarship, and artistic research, discovering pathways for personal artistry and professional application as artists, designers, art educators, and scholars.
Vision
We cultivate creative futures through a commitment to rigorous studio arts-based education and research. We foster personal and connected expression with the potential to affect broader change locally and globally.
Areas of Study
Art Education
The art K-12 teacher education program prepares students to teach visual arts in elementary, middle and secondary schools.
Ceramics
Students are introduced to the process of making ceramics beginning with clay body composition through procedures for firing kilns and glazing techniques and formulas.
Learn more about Ceramics
Drawing
Emphasis includes composition, content, technical concerns, use of color and a range of material use from traditional to contemporary alternatives.
Learn more about Drawing
Graphic Design
Work as creative visual thinkers and communicators using a variety of traditional print and emerging digital media.
Integrated Media Arts
Courses that use a wide array of cutting-edge tools, including Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), video projection, digital illustration, video production and game design.
Painting
Teaching technical painting ability and vocabulary, development of individual expression leading to thematic connections.
Photography
Provides fundamentals of photograpic imaging that aides in understanding of traditional techniques, experimental and non-traditional digital imaging.
Sculpture + Digital Fabrication
Learn a variety of sculpture making techniques including woodworking, moldmaking and casting, 3D printing, and mixed media.
Course Highlight
Metals
Metals classes at UNC present basic and advanced techniques and processes for the creation of wearable art. Nonferrous metals are used along with semi-precious stones and mixed media. In addition to wearable art, metals classes address historical and contemporary design concepts, critical analysis, and symbolism in fine art jewelry.
Foundations Classes
Foundations classes are exciting explorations of art history, design and studio techniques that everyone takes to build a strong knowledge and skill base for more advanced art classes.
A Mostly Online Art and Design Master's Degree
The Art and Design Master of Arts (MA) is a studio art degree for developing advanced expertise in artistic practice. It is designed as a perfect fit for current art educators who wish to build upon their credentials while developing as artists, teachers and leaders in art practice and education.
UNC Galleries
Campus Commons Gallery
Constructed in 2018, Campus Commons Gallery hosts originally curated, contemporary exhibitions and is the largest of our exhibition spaces, located in the student-centered campus hub, Campus Commons.
Mariani Gallery
Mariani Gallery is an exhibition space that has served the Northern Colorado and Weld County communities since 1972. Each exhibition explores concepts and themes through interdisciplinary collaboration, exposing our students to a variety of processes, methods, and art making choices.
Oak Room Gallery
Oak Room Gallery is a quaint and charmingly unique gallery area in which the exhibitions are curated to enhance and complement the history of the space.
