Virginia 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.
23 colleges · 695 sections · 68 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Virginia community college art programs span studio art (drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics) and applied design (graphic design, digital media, illustration). The 695 sections across 23 VCCS 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.
Earnings & outcomes for Art graduates
Federal College Scorecard data on what graduates of this program actually earn after completion. Where a school’s cohort is too small to publish, we show the national benchmark for the same field of study.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, per-program (4-digit CIP) data. CIP 5007 — Fine and Studio Arts. School cohorts are suppressed by the federal source when fewer than ~30 completers in the reporting cohort.
Colleges offering Art
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Virginia Community College | 294 | 38 | 44 | 204 | — |
| Tidewater Community College | 81 | 24 | 49 | 73 | $29,918 |
| Brightpoint Community College | 65 | 30 | 24 | — | — |
| Germanna Community College | 38 | 10 | 30 | 20 | — |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | 36 | 18 | 7 | 26 | — |
| Virginia Western Community College | 35 | 11 | 25 | 26 | $32,086 |
| Piedmont Virginia Community College | 24 | 18 | 11 | 10 | — |
| New River Community College | 23 | 11 | 12 | 2 | — |
| Blue Ridge Community College | 20 | 9 | 5 | 7 | — |
| Laurel Ridge Community College | 15 | 7 | 5 | — | — |
| Reynolds Community College | 13 | 3 | 10 | — | — |
| Patrick & Henry Community College | 9 | 4 | 2 | — | — |
| Central Virginia Community College | 8 | 3 | 5 | 3 | — |
| Southside Virginia Community College | 7 | 2 | 1 | — | — |
| Southwest Virginia Community College | 6 | 6 | 3 | — | — |
| Virginia Highlands Community College | 6 | 5 | 1 | — | — |
| Danville Community College | 4 | 4 | — | 46 | — |
| Camp Community College | 3 | 1 | 3 | — | — |
| Rappahannock Community College | 3 | 2 | 3 | — | — |
| Eastern Shore Community College | 2 | 1 | 2 | — | — |
| Mountain Empire Community College | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Mountain Gateway Community College | 1 | 1 | — | — | — |
| Wytheville Community College | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Art Availability Snapshot
How art sections are being offered across 23 colleges in Virginia this term (695 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person241 (35%)
- online240 (35%)
- hybrid210 (30%)
- zoom4 (1%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)184
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)185
- Evening (5 PM and after)81
- Asynchronous / TBA245
Start dates
Sections begin on 20 distinct dates. 192 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Blue Ridge Community College1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
22 credits- ART 121Foundations of Drawing(3 cr)4 sections
- ART 131Two-Dimensional Design(3 cr)2 sections
- ART 180Introduction to Computer Graphics(3 cr)2 sections
- ART 190Coordinated Internship(1 cr)not offered
- ART 284Computer Graphics II(3 cr)not offered
- ITD 110Web Page Design I(3 cr)1 section
- ITE 152Introduction to Digital Literacy and Computer Applications(3 cr)6 sections
- PHT 164Introduction to Digital Photography(3 cr)2 sections
Source: College catalog
Brightpoint Community College4 programs
Danville Community College2 programs
Northern Virginia Community College3 programs
Piedmont Virginia Community College1 program
Required Courses
- SDV 100College Success Skills(1 cr)33 sections
- ENG 111College Composition I(3 cr)24 sectionsor CST 100
- ART 131Two-Dimensional Design(3 cr)2 sections
- ENG 112College Composition II(3 cr)13 sections
- ART 101History of Art: Prehistoric to Gothic(3 cr)2 sections
- ART 102History of Art: Renaissance to Modern(3 cr)1 section
Source: College catalog
Southwest Virginia Community College1 program
Powered by Modern Campus Catalog™.
First Semester
Second Semester:
Art Electives:
- ART 153Ceramics I1 section
- ELEC XXXART 154: Ceramics II 3-4 Creditsnot offered
- ART 203Animation Inot offered
- ART 228Multimedia Graphic Design Inot offered
- ART 231Sculpture Inot offered
- ART 232Sculpture IInot offered
- ART 271Printmaking Inot offered
- ART 283Computer Graphics I1 section
- PHT 101Photography Inot offered
- ITD 110Web Page Designnot offered
Source: College catalog
Tidewater Community College1 program
Virginia Highlands Community College1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
24 credits- ART 121Foundations of Drawing(3 cr)1 section
- ART 131Two-Dimensional Design(3 cr)1 section
- ART 180Introduction to Computer Graphics(3 cr)1 section
- ART 101History of Art: Prehistoric to Gothic(3 cr)1 section
- ART 125Introduction to Painting(3 cr)not offered
- ART 132Three-Dimensional Design(3 cr)not offered
- ART 133Time Studio(3 cr)not offered
- ART 102History of Art: Renaissance to Modern(3 cr)2 sections
Source: College catalog
Virginia Peninsula Community College1 program
Fall 1
Spring 1
- ENG 112College Composition II24 sections
- ART 223Life Drawing1 section
- ART 132Three-Dimensional Design2 sections
- ART 241Painting I1 section
- ELEC XXXLaboratory Science (4 credits) Choose one course from the list below.not offered
- BIO 101General Biology I38 sections
- BIO 102General Biology II7 sections
- BIO 107Biology of the Environmentnot offered
- BIO 141Human Anatomy and Physiology I27 sections
- BIO 142Human Anatomy and Physiology II12 sections
- CHM 111General Chemistry I18 sections
- CHM 112General Chemistry II5 sections
- CHM 241Organic Chemistry I1 section
- CHM 242Organic Chemistry IInot offered
- CHM 245Organic Chemistry Laboratory I1 section
- CHM 246Organic Chemistry Laboratory IInot offered
- GOL 105Physical Geology10 sections
- GOL 106Historical Geology2 sections
- GOL 111Oceanography I5 sections
- GOL 112Oceanography IInot offered
- NAS 131Astronomy: Solar Systemnot offered
- NAS 132Astronomy: Stars and Galaxiesnot offered
- PHY 141Astronomy: Solar System1 section
- PHY 142Astronomy: Stars and Galaxies2 sections
- PHY 201General College Physics I9 sections
- PHY 202General College Physics II1 section
- PHY 241University Physics I3 sections
- PHY 242University Physics II3 sections
Fall 2
- ART 101History of Art: Prehistoric to Gothic5 sections
- ART 283Computer Graphics I2 sections
- ART 198Seminar and Project1 section
- ART 138Figure Drawing1 section
- ELEC XXXVisual Art Studio Elective (3 credits) Choose one course from the list below.not offered
- ART 141Typography I2 sections
- ART 208Video Techniques2 sections
- ART 251Communication Design Inot offered
- ART 271Printmaking I1 section
- ART 291Computerized Graphic Design I1 section
- PHT 102Photography IInot offered
- PHT 270Digital Imaging I1 section
Spring 2
- ART 102History of Art: Renaissance to Modern5 sections
- ART 287Portfolio and Resume Preparationnot offered
- ELEC XXXSocial Science Elective (3 credits) Choose one course from the list below.not offered
- ECO 120Survey of Economics1 section
- ECO 201Principles of Macroeconomics6 sections
- ECO 202Principles of Microeconomics5 sections
- GEO 200Introduction to Physical Geography2 sections
- GEO 210People and the Land: An Introduction to Cultural Geography2 sections
- HIS 101Western Civilizations Pre-1600 CE4 sections
- HIS 102Western Civilizations Post-1600 CE1 section
- HIS 111World Civilizations Pre-1500 CE3 sections
- HIS 112World Civilizations of Post-1500 CE2 sections
- HIS 121United States History to 187723 sections
- HIS 122United States History since 18654 sections
- PLS 135U.S. Government and Politics5 sections
- PLS 241Introduction to International Relations3 sections
- PSY 200Principles of Psychology14 sections
- PSY 216Social Psychology2 sections
- PSY 230Developmental Psychology12 sections
- PSY 235Child Psychology3 sections
- SOC 200Introduction to Sociology7 sections
- SOC 268Social Problemsnot offered
- ELEC XXX1Courses fulfill General Education requirements but will not fulfill UCGS/Passport requirements. 2History courses fulfill General Education Social Science requirements and/or UCGS/Passport history requirements, not UCGS Social Science requirements. Visual Arts Studio Elective (3 credits) Choose one course from courses included under the Fall 2, Visual Arts Studio Electives list. The course cannot be a repeat of the Fall 2 course selection.not offered
Source: College catalog
Common Art courses
- ART 101History of Art: Prehistoric to Gothic(103 sections)
- ART 100Art Appreciation(92 sections)
- ART 121Foundations of Drawing(82 sections)
- ART 131Two-Dimensional Design(62 sections)
- ART 102History of Art: Renaissance to Modern(54 sections)
- ART 132Three-Dimensional Design(29 sections)
- ART 180Introduction to Computer Graphics(24 sections)
- ART 223Life Drawing(18 sections)
- ART 241Painting I(15 sections)
- ART 116Design for the Web I(14 sections)
- ART 140Introduction to Graphic Skills(12 sections)
- ART 283Computer Graphics I(11 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 Virginia’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Virginia's typical pay is about 25% above the typical state — a strong sign of healthy local demand.
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 Virginia 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 Virginia 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 Virginia’s art programs stack up.
Other programs in Virginia
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.