Minnesota 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.
25 colleges · 319 sections · 176 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Minnesota community college art programs span studio art (drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics) and applied design (graphic design, digital media, illustration). The 319 sections across 25 Minnesota State 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 25 colleges in Minnesota this term (319 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person152 (48%)
- online120 (38%)
- hybrid47 (15%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)86
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)99
- Evening (5 PM and after)19
- Asynchronous / TBA115
Start dates
Sections begin on 1 distinct date.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 112 distinct instructors across 25 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Anoka-Ramsey Community College1 program
Powered by Modern Campus Catalog™.
Plan all required coursesProgram Requirements: 38 Credits
38 credits- ART 1107Art History I2 sections+ plan
- ART 1108Art History II1 section+ plan
- ART 1115Foundation Design I: 2 Dimensional Design2 sections+ plan
- ART 1117Foundation Design II: 3 Dimensional Designnot offered+ plan
- ART 1141Foundation Drawing I4 sections+ plan
- ART 1170Foundation Digital Imaging I: Photoshop2 sections+ plan
- ART 2200Portfolio and Professional Practicenot offered+ plan
2 Dimensional courses
- ART 1142Foundation Drawing II1 section+ plan
- ART 1150Introduction to Graphic Design2 sections+ plan
- ART 1155Introduction to Digital Photography2 sections+ plan
- ART 1165Introduction to Black and White Film Photography1 section+ plan
- ART 1241Introduction to Painting2 sections+ plan
- ART 1290Introduction to Printmakingnot offered+ plan
3 Dimensional courses
Free Studio Art Electives
- ART 1116Design II: Color Theorynot offered+ plan
- ART 1121Stained Glass I2 sections+ plan
- ART 1122Stained Glass II1 section+ plan
- ART 1131Glass Blowing I2 sections+ plan
- ART 1132Glass Blowing II1 section+ plan
- ART 1143Introduction to Figure Drawingnot offered+ plan
- ART 1144Watercolor I1 section+ plan
- ART 1145Watercolor II1 section+ plan
- ART 1151Graphic Design IInot offered+ plan
- ART 1162Sculpture II1 section+ plan
- ART 1164Pinhole Photographynot offered+ plan
- ART 1166Photography II1 section+ plan
- ART 1171Digital Imaging IInot offered+ plan
- ART 1172New Media Design Inot offered+ plan
- ART 1173New Media Design IInot offered+ plan
- ART 1175Animation Inot offered+ plan
- ART 1242Painting II1 section+ plan
- ART 1252Ceramics: Intermediate Wheel-Throwing1 section+ plan
- ART 1271Glass Fusing Inot offered+ plan
- ART 1272Glass Fusing IInot offered+ plan
- ART 1281Ceramics: Beginning Hand-building1 section+ plan
- ART 1282Ceramics: Intermediate Hand-building1 section+ plan
- ART 1291Introduction to Printmaking IInot offered+ plan
- ART 2121Stained Glass IIInot offered+ plan
- ART 2131Glass Blowing III1 section+ plan
- ART 2132Glass Blowing IVnot offered+ plan
- ART 2133Glass Sculpture Inot offered+ plan
- ART 2134Glass Sculpture IInot offered+ plan
- ART 2165Digital Photography IInot offered+ plan
- ART 2167Photography III: Medium Formatnot offered+ plan
- ART 2168Photography IVnot offered+ plan
- ART 2253Ceramics: Kiln-Firingnot offered+ plan
- ART 2254Ceramics: Glaze Formulationnot offered+ plan
- ART 2255Wood-Fired Ceramics1 section+ plan
General Education/MnTC Requirements: 22 Credits
22 creditsSee catalog for course list
A. Written (one course required)
B. Oral (one course required)
Semester One
Total: 15-16 credits
15 creditsSee catalog for course list
Semester Two
Total: 15 credits
15 creditsSee catalog for course list
Total: 15 credits
15 creditsSee catalog for course list
Semester Four
Total: 14-15 credits
14 creditsSee catalog for course list
Source: College catalog
Century College3 programs
Dakota County Technical College1 program
First Year - Fall Semester: 14 Credits
14 creditsSee catalog for course list
First Year - Spring Semester: 15 Credits
15 creditsSee catalog for course list
First Year - Summer Session: 6 Credits
6 creditsSecond Year - Fall Semester: 15 Credits
15 creditsSee catalog for course list
Second Year - Spring Semester: 14 Credits
14 creditsSecond Year - Summer Session: 6 Credits
6 creditsSource: College catalog
Inver Hills Community College1 program
Art Pathway Curriculum: 37 Credits
37 creditsSee catalog for course list
Required Courses: 19 Credits
19 creditsSee catalog for course list
Restricted Art Electives (choose four): 12 Credits
12 creditsSee catalog for course list
Free Art Electives (choose two): 6 Credits
6 creditsSee catalog for course list
General Education Curriculum: 23 Credits
23 creditsSee catalog for course list
Semester 1: 16 Credits
16 creditsSemester 3: 14-16 Credits
14 creditsSemester 4: 12-14 Credits
12 creditsSemester 3: 11-12 Credits
11 creditsSee catalog for course list
Semester 4: 10 Credits
10 creditsSemester 5: 10-11 Credits
10 creditsSemester 6: 7-9 Credits
7 creditsSee catalog for course list
Source: College catalog
Saint Paul College1 program
Powered by Modern Campus Catalog™.
Plan all required coursesCourse
- MUSC 1701Music Theory 11 section+ plan
- MUSC 1702Aural Skills 11 section+ plan
- MUSC 1703Music Theory 2not offered+ plan
- MUSC 1704Aural Skills 2not offered+ plan
- MUSC 1735Classical Piano 11 section+ plan
- MUSC 1736Classical Piano 2not offered+ plan
- MUSC 1800Music Production 11 section+ plan
- MUSC 2700Music Theory 31 section+ plan
- MUSC 2705Aural Skills 31 section+ plan
- MUSC 2710Music Theory 4not offered+ plan
- MUSC 2715Aural Skills 4not offered+ plan
- MUSC 2720Music History 1: Medieval to Baroque1 section+ plan
- MUSC 2721Music History 2: Classical to Modernnot offered+ plan
Select 8 credits of lessons in a primary instrument
8 creditsChoose 4 credits from 4 approved courses
Catalog group: Select 4 credits of ensemble music
Subtotal: 37 Credits
37 creditsSee catalog for course list
General Education Requirements: 31 Credits
31 creditsFirst Semester
Second Semester
Third Semester
Fourth Semester
Source: College catalog
Common Art courses
- ART 1101Drawing l(9 sections)
- ART 1110Introduction to Art & Design(7 sections)
- ART 1100Introduction to Art(6 sections)
- ART 1121Stained Glass I(6 sections)
- ART 1114Foundation Drawing I(6 sections)
- ART 1131Glass Blowing I(5 sections)
- ARTS 1713Photography 1(5 sections)
- ART 1141Foundation Drawing I(4 sections)
- ART 1120Foundation 2D Design(4 sections)
- ART 2200Introduction to Ceramics(4 sections)
- ART 1130Introduction to Ceramics: Wheel Throwing(4 sections)
- ART 1040Art Appreciation(4 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 Minnesota’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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota’s art programs stack up.
Other programs in Minnesota
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.