Arizona Community Colleges
Art Programs
Art and visual-arts coursework at community colleges in this state. Studio art, art history, and design-track classes for fine-arts transfer.
13 colleges · 103 sections · 59 unique courses · Summer 2026 · Updated today
Arizona community college art programs span studio art (drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics) and applied design (graphic design, digital media, illustration). The 103 sections across 13 Public 2-year colleges this term include intro studio courses, art history, design fundamentals, and software-specific training (Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, Blender for 3D).
Two distinct outcomes: the studio-art associate is largely transfer-prep for BFA programs at four-year art schools; the graphic-design AAS is a direct-to-career credential preparing students for entry design roles, agency junior positions, and in-house marketing teams. Compare colleges below — programs with strong portfolio-development emphasis place graduates better than those focused purely on technique.
Colleges offering Art
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Art is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
Art Availability Snapshot
How art sections are being offered across 13 colleges in Arizona this term (103 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person59 (57%)
- online40 (39%)
- hybrid4 (4%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)62
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)2
- Evening (5 PM and after)10
- Asynchronous / TBA29
Start dates
Sections begin on 11 distinct dates. 101 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 50 distinct instructors across 13 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Coconino Community College1 program
General Education: 32 credits
32 creditsSee catalog for course list
Written and Oral Communication: Composition (6)
Quantitative Reasoning (3)
Degree Core Requirements: 21 credits
21 credits- ART 110Drawing I1 section+ plan
- ART 111Drawing IInot offered+ plan
- ART 160Color and Designnot offered+ plan
- ART 165Three-dimensional Designnot offered+ plan
- ART 201Art History: Prehistoric to 14001 section+ plan
- ART 201may fulfill an AGEC requirement in the Arts and Humanities category1 section+ plan
- ART 202Art History: 1400 - 2000not offered+ plan
- ART 202may fulfill an AGEC requirement in the Arts and Humanities categorynot offered+ plan
- ART 210Life Drawing Inot offered+ plan
Elective Requirements
Source: College catalog
Mohave Community College2 programs
Yavapai College3 programs
Common Art courses
- ART 105Beginning Drawing I(11 sections)
- ART 112Two-Dimensional Design(7 sections)
- ART 113Color(6 sections)
- ART 120Appreciation of Visual Arts(5 sections)
- ART 110Drawing I(4 sections)
- ART 121Ceramics II(4 sections)
- ART 100Art Appreciation(3 sections)
- ART 133World Art I(3 sections)
- ART 222Advanced Projects: Ceramics(3 sections)
- ART 130BCeramics for Personal Dev(2 sections)
- ART 130World Art History I(2 sections)
- ART 230World Art History II(2 sections)
Career outlook for Art graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Arizona’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I be a graphic designer with just a community-college degree?
- Yes — the AAS in graphic design is a complete entry-level credential, and most Arizona programs are designed to build a portfolio strong enough for junior designer roles. Hiring is heavily portfolio-driven; the degree gets you in the door but your portfolio determines whether you get the role. Software fluency (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign) is table stakes.
- Will my art credits transfer to a BFA program?
- Studio courses (drawing, painting, sculpture) typically transfer as elective credit toward a BFA but may not fulfill specific BFA major-requirement slots — BFA programs usually want their own foundation sequence. Art history and gen-ed courses transfer cleanly. The associate of fine arts (AFA) is the strongest transfer-prep pathway if you know you'll continue to a BFA; check articulation agreements with target schools.
- What's the difference between studio art and graphic design programs?
- Studio art is fine-art-oriented (creating original work, often for galleries or commission); graphic design is commercial-art-oriented (creating work to client briefs for marketing, branding, packaging, web). The career economics are very different — graphic designers have many more entry roles available; studio artists typically need to build a separate career while developing their practice.
- Do I need to be 'good at art' to start?
- Less than you'd think for graphic design — the program teaches design principles and software from the foundation up. Studio art programs assume more foundational drawing skill but most Arizona CCs offer beginner-level studio courses; the question is whether you have time and motivation to put in the hours of practice that any visual-art career requires.
Compare Art programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Arizona’s art programs stack up.
Other programs in Arizona
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.