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Art and Art History Department

The Department of Art and Art History is dedicated to developing students’ critical thinking, creativity, visual literacy, technical skills, and knowledge about the history of art.

We provide high-quality instruction in Art Education, Art History, Studio Art, and Interior Architecture. In all areas, we endeavor to create an environment which supports professional artistic activities and research in traditional and new media and methodologies.

Explore Our Programs

Curious about what we offer? Browse our program pages to uncover details on majors, career paths, and unique learning experiences.

Why Choose Art and Art History at Chico State

Accessible, Engaged Educators

The faculty and staff take pride in being easily accessible. We are eager to explore ideas with students and to help them realize their professional and creative goals.

Our faculty of artists, scholars, and designers are nationally and internationally recognized, have won significant public commissions and grants, shown with well-established galleries, received awards for distinguished teaching, written for key journals and presses, and been invited speakers throughout the world.

Student and faculty member observing and talking about paintings in an art gallery.

  • Students in print making workshop smiling and looking down at their print.

    Visiting Artists

    Chico State's Visiting Artists events happen every semester. Experience diverse perspectives, innovative works, and engaging conversations with well-renown and inspiring artists like Mexican American printmaker Humberto Saenz.

  • Two students observing and talking about wall art in an art gallery.

    Showcase Your Work

    Open Studios events and multiple campus galleries provide students with opportunities to publicly exhibit their artwork.

  • A 3 dimensional student project made of wood, modeling a house.

    Community Projects

    The Interior Architecture internship program, in collaboration with Rebuild Paradise, the Town of Paradise, and Habitat for Humanity, pursues community empowerment by crafting innovative design solutions addressing communal needs.

Learning Experience

  • Group of campus community members gathered in the Janet Turner Museum at an art gallery exhibit.

    Prints and Possibilities

    The Janet Turner Print Museum has a collection of more than 4,000 prints ranging from the 17th century to today. At the Turner, students can experience innovative exhibitions, learn from visiting artists, and gain hands-on experience through museum internships.

  • Focus on a person working on a glass blowing project

    Glass Innovation Studio

    The Glass Lab in the recently opened Arts and Humanities building is a high quality facility for working in hot glass, casting, kiln forming, and cold working. There are a variety of opportunities for art students to explore the range of glass working as a sculptural medium.

Student Life

Student Clubs and Organized Trips

Vibrant student clubs like glass and ceramics hold regular sales on campus and organize trips to conferences and exhibits.

Campus and City Exhibits

Exhibition opportunities for students at the galleries on campus and in galleries and businesses in Chico. '23 graduate Brandon Hernandez recently had a solo exhibition at 1078 Gallery.

Art students show their work at the A. Gallery

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