Art is an outlet for expression and can be explored and developed over a lifetime.
Whether making a model out of clay, designing a website, carving plaster or making
a series of sketches, studying and creating art has many benefits. Art enhances your
spatial and problem-solving skills, hand-eye coordination, and visual thinking abilities.
In our art program, you can:
Pursue an Associate in Arts or Associate in Fine Arts degree.
Create a portfolio to apply for a job or gallery representation.
Build your portfolio to transfer to a four-year institution.
Kish is your first step in preparing for an art-related degree from a four-year college
or university.
Some potential career paths include advertising director, app developer artist, art
historian, audio/visual designer, commercial or fashion photographer, graphic designer,
illustrator, museum curator, sculptor, video game artist, and many more.
2D studio for drawing, printmaking, figure drawing, painting and 2D design classes.
3D studio for metalsmithing, jewelry and ceramics.
Photography lab and darkroom for black and white photo processing.
Mac computer lab equipped with Adobe Creative Suite, film and sound editing software,
Wacom digital drawing tablets, scanners, and photo quality printers that support graphic
design, digital fabrication, digital illustration, digital imaging and photography.
Art gallery work by professional artists and juried art exhibitions.
Secure storage for student materials and work.
Glass-enclosed display cases for exhibiting 2D and 3D student projects.
Library of more than 1,600 art books and 20 art and design periodicals.
Transfer to a four-year institution to complete a bachelor’s degree in art, art history,
art education or a related field.
Visiting artists and workshops happen throughout the year.
Special exhibitions of student and professional artists occur regularly in the Kishwaukee
College Art Gallery.
Possible publication in Kish's award-winning literary & arts journal, the Kamelian.
Field trips to art expos, fairs and regional art museums.
Student clubs in the arts.
Art scholarships are available.
Early planning for an art degree can make a difference.
Students thinking about completing an art certificate or degree are encouraged to
speak with their academic advisor as early as possible.
The Aspen Institute named Kishwaukee College as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The 200 colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer and bachelor’s degree attainment rates. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.
Kishwaukee College will offer five Short-Term programs during the Spring 2026 semester. Kish Short-Term programs provide students with the expertise needed to meet local workforce demands. The programs range from 11-15 weeks, allowing students to start a career immediately or build on skills with additional training.