Studio Art majors get to explore their creative side and ponder key critical questions and themes about artistic practice.  
Studio Art majors get to explore their creative side and ponder key critical questions and themes about artistic practice. 

Why Choose a Degree in Art?

We are committed to helping you achieve the visual literacy that is increasingly essential to negotiating the world today. You will be prepared to pursue advanced degrees in graduate school; for careers as visual artists or in galleries, museums, or arts administration; and for a life enriched by the visual arts. Our students graduate with an art degree, plus the ability to think creatively and critically, both through the art they produce and in the way they analyze and discuss past and contemporary works of art.

What You’ll Study

The department offers two majors (studio art and art history) and one minor (art and art history). Our studio art program is supported by outstanding facilities and dedicated faculty, who have a commitment to their craft and the skills to introduce students to the key critical questions and themes in artistic practice today. Our art history program exposes students to a wide variety of art from around the globe and throughout human history. Faculty offer rigorous introductions, advanced courses in specific periods in art history, and thematic seminars that consider art in the context of ideas rather than simply by chronological order.

Many of our students study art and earn course credit while on an overseas or off-campus program. In addition to general cultural programs that are open to all students, there are programs designed and led by art faculty to England and New York City.

Outside the classroom, our annual senior exhibition showcases the work of our graduating majors in the professional space on campus, the Ronna and Eric Hoffman Gallery of Contemporary Art. Many of our students have been awarded numerous arts-related internships in Portland, and the department has regular internship programs at area art museums, including a paid internship at the Portland Art Museum. Our visiting artist lecture series features nationally and internationally recognized artists working in a broad range of disciplines.

Curriculum

Connect With Lewis & Clark!

Favorite Class

Ovid and the Visual Arts With Professor Benjamin David

This class introduced me to the intertextual and intervisual matrixes of allusion, which hold tremendous sway over artists of the past and present. Though couched in history, this class continues to be relevant to the way I view and move through the modern world. 

Major: Art History

Complement Your Education With One of These Minors

The most popular minors for our art majors are English, entrepreneurial leadership and innovation, and any of our world languages and literatures sections.


What Students are Saying about Lewis & Clark

Cadyn posing outside. She is wearing a black tank-top dress.

I have loved the art history classes I have taken so far. Many of the classes focus on a specific location or time period, which allows you to really dive deep into the culture or period discussed.

Cadyn Schenk-Turner BA ’26
Art History | Asian Studies | Charlotte, North Carolina
More about Cadyn
Mithila Tambe BA '25

I find it fascinating and quite liberating how the teaching of art history at L&C breaks out of the box of fine arts and leaves space for much-needed critique and analysis.

Mithila Tambe BA ’25
Art History | Pune, Maharashtra, India
More about Mithila
Jason, sitting on the ground in front of a garden and leaning forward in a light blue collared shirt, smiling on a sunny day.

I’m studying international affairs because I want to make a real difference in the world and try to help people. I added art history as a second major because I genuinely love art appreciation, going to museums, and learning the stories behind works.

Jason Kowalski BA ’23
International affairs and art history (double) | Vancouver, Washington
More about Jason

What Can You Do With a Degree in Art?

Our alumni use their BA in art to pursue a wide range of careers within academia, nonprofits, arts production and administration, and beyond. While some students pursue a studio practice with their bachelor’s degree, others apply their critical thinking, research and writing skills, creativity, and visual literacy to many areas other than art and art history.

Dedicated Faculty

Our expert professors are your expert mentors. You will learn directly from faculty (no graduate assistants here!) that are nationally recognized in their fields of study and who love to work with and learn from their students. Your professors will inspire you to be a thoughtful and passionate participant in a diverse world. Your small classes will support you as you explore new ideas, find your voice, and speak your truth.

Art faculty are some of the most engaged working artists in the Pacific Northwest. They are fellowship winners, run nationally recognized arts nonprofits, and have had their work supported through residencies, foundations, and grants. Our art faculty produce events annually, often bringing students on as assistants or collaborators.

Meet the Professors

2,194 

As of fall 2023, there are 2,194 degree-seeking students enrolled at Lewis & Clark College.

13:1 

Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1.

12% 

of our students are from countries other than the U.S.

28+34 

Lewis & Clark offers 28 majors and 34 minors.

98% 

Within six months of graduation, 98% of the Lewis & Clark Class of 2023 was already changing the world through employment (84%), continuing studies (11%), and service work (3%), like the Peace Corps.

2,194 

As of fall 2023, there are 2,194 degree-seeking students enrolled at Lewis & Clark College.

13:1 

Lewis & Clark College has a student-to-faculty ratio of 13:1.

Invest in Yourself

A private liberal arts education is often more affordable than you think. Last year, Lewis & Clark distributed over $74 million in assistance from institutional, federal, state, and private sources. Additionally, we’re so confident that our first-year students will graduate with their bachelor of arts degree in four years that if you don’t, we’ll cover the extra semester of tuition.

There are two art-specific scholarships available. The Kent Swanson Jr. Memorial Scholarship for Ceramics is awarded annually, and benefits students who have demonstrated financial need and interest in the outdoors, environmental conservation, and ceramics. The Barbara Scheidler Bartholomew Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a faculty-nominated studio art major of exceptional merit and financial need.

Find Your People

The Art Club is an entirely student-run organization that arranges lots of extracurricular art opportunities including exhibitions, artist talks, collective art-making events, and the annual Art Week. Our campus also has a few student-run art and creative spaces, like the Platteau and the Coop. Incoming students can take advantage of our Creative PDX New Student Trip, which gives them the opportunity to get to know the Portland arts scene and connect with the vibrant arts programs at L&C, all before classes start.


Where Lewis & Clark Will Take You

Spencer Byrne-Seres BA '13

L&C encouraged curiosity in me to see and cultivate new perspectives of the world, to listen, and to observe.

Spencer Byrne-Seres BA ’13
Studio Art
More about Spencer
John smiling outside, wearing a dark tshirt.

The biology and art programs gave me both real world and conceptual practice experience. My majors were extremely thorough and provided me with a great foundation.

John Carr BA ’21
Biology and Studio Art (double) | Los Angeles, California
More about John
Hannah Stubee BA '21

The theory I learned in class and the practical work experience I was able to get were a really great introduction to the work I’m doing now.

Hannah Stubee BA ’21
Studio Art (painting concentration)
More about Hannah

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