Drawing and Painting | Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Drawing and Painting

A Contemporary
Practice & Challenge
to Tradition

MCAD’s Drawing and Painting major challenges perception by exploring and reimagining what is possible. Grounded in a rigorous exploration of materials and techniques, students hone their artistic voice through critiques, engagement with guest artists, and collaboration with a creative community of makers and thinkers. Students have access to remarkable instructors and individual studio spaces on campus, open 24/7, allowing for time to observe, process, experiment and create.

Person painting in their studio

Hear about the student experience

As a Drawing and Painting major, you will:

  • Explore the techniques and approaches of traditional drawing and painting while questioning the possibilities of form and function in a contemporary context. 
  • Find your own creative direction and voice–not only how to draw and paint, but what to draw and paint.
  • Balance coursework in art history with studio classes that focus on technique as well as concept and theory. 
  • Have boundless access to studios, shops, classrooms, faculty, guest lectures, and critiques.
  • Invent, observe, and apply new skills and ideas.
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Class Highlights

This Bachelor of Fine Arts program emphasizes a collaborative process of working on teams with students from all MCAD majors.

Required classes include: 

  • Painting: Materials and Techniques
  • Operative Drawing
  • Representational Studio
  • Issues in Abstraction
  • Professional Practice

After MCAD

There are many paths to explore with a degree in Drawing and Painting.

Potential careers include:

  • Fine Artist
  • Independent Curator
  • Illustrator
  • Muralist
  • Tattoo Artist

“There are workspaces all around you, tools to make anything, and every wall is a potential gallery. Having a personal painting studio was incredible–I was able to work all night, spread out, make a mess, take a coffee break, and then jump back into it.” –Hilary Greenstein ’13, Freelance Painter