California 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.
93 colleges · 4898 sections · 1338 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
California community college art programs span studio art (drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics) and applied design (graphic design, digital media, illustration). The 4898 sections across 93 California CCs 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 93 colleges in California this term (4898 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person3489 (71%)
- online1115 (23%)
- hybrid206 (4%)
- zoom88 (2%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)1757
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)1310
- Evening (5 PM and after)532
- Asynchronous / TBA1299
Start dates
Sections begin on 52 distinct dates. 824 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 1296 distinct instructors across 93 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
College of the Desert3 programs
Cuyamaca College8 programs
Foothill College3 programs
Fullerton College7 programs
Grossmont College5 programs
Long Beach City College4 programs
Mt San Antonio College3 programs
Pasadena City College8 programs
San Bernardino Valley College3 programs
San Joaquin Delta College3 programs
San Jose City College6 programs
Sierra College3 programs
Common Art courses
- ARTH C1100Art Prehistory to Medieval Era(144 sections)
- ARTH C1200Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary(101 sections)
- ART 100Art Appreciation(81 sections)
- ART B1Art Appreciation(68 sections)
- ART 101Art Appreciation(60 sections)
- ART 110Design 1(47 sections)
- ART 120Drawing 1(40 sections)
- ART 300Drawing and Composition I(39 sections)
- ARTH 6Art Appreciation(38 sections)
- ART 104History of Modern and Contemporary Art in the 20th Century(37 sections)
- ART 6African-Oceanic-NatAmer(37 sections)
- ART 102D Design(33 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 California’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 California 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 California 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 California’s art programs stack up.
Other programs in California
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.