Nebraska 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.
8 colleges · 104 sections · 42 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Nebraska community college art programs span studio art (drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics) and applied design (graphic design, digital media, illustration). The 104 sections across 8 NCCA 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 8 colleges in Nebraska this term (104 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person83 (80%)
- online21 (20%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)26
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)39
- Evening (5 PM and after)7
- Asynchronous / TBA32
Start dates
Sections begin on 14 distinct dates. 39 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 28 distinct instructors across 8 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Southeast Community College Area1 program
Graphic Design | Media Arts Core Course Requirements
- GDMA 1122Introduction to Visual Design1 section+ plan
- GDMA 1126Typography 11 section+ plan
- GDMA 1136Design Software 11 section+ plan
- GDMA 1230Typography 2not offered+ plan
- GDMA 1234Design Software 2not offered+ plan
- GDMA 1354Color Theory1 section+ plan
- GDMA 1455Design Studio 1not offered+ plan
- GDMA 1457Introduction to UI/UX Design1 section+ plan
- ELEC XXXORnot offered+ plan
- GDMA 1460Package Design1 section+ plan
- GDMA 1465Identity Design & Brandingnot offered+ plan
- GDMA 1485Web Design 1not offered+ plan
- GDMA 2567Web Design 21 section+ plan
- GDMA 2575Design Studio 21 section+ plan
- GDMA 2595Professional Design Practicesnot offered+ plan
- GDMA 2662Web Design 3not offered+ plan
- GDMA 2664Design Studio 3not offered+ plan
Source: College catalog
Western Nebraska Community College8 programs
Common Art courses
- ARTS 1010Intro to Visual Arts(29 sections)
- ARTS 1050Introduction to Art History & Criticism(7 sections)
- ARTS 1110Art History-Prehistory to 1400(7 sections)
- ARTS 1000Intro to the Visual Arts(6 sections)
- ARTS 10202-D Design(5 sections)
- ARTS 1120Art History - 1400 to Present(3 sections)
- ARTS 12202-Dimensional Design(2 sections)
- ARTS 1250Art Fundamentals(2 sections)
- ARTS 2050Ceramics(2 sections)
- ARTS 2150Intermediate Ceramics(2 sections)
- ARTS 1070Design(2 sections)
- ARTS 1210Drawing I(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 Nebraska’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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska 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 Nebraska’s art programs stack up.
Other programs in Nebraska
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.