Introduction to Art History with Prof. Dana Katz expanded what I saw as art to include things like architecture and spaces and made me know I wanted to be an art major. I was fascinated by the idea that you could read an object—that it has more to say than just being a thing in space.
What You’ll Study in the Bachelor’s Degree in Art
Hone your skills and discover the rich history of expression through the art major at Reed College. While you will choose between an art history or studio art concentration, our unique program recognizes the intrinsic connection between these two branches and provides a comprehensive education that spans both. This holistic approach fosters an appreciation for the interplay between historical context and creative expression, empowering you to create art and criticism that is thought-provoking and deeply resonant.
Roadmap to the BA in Art at Reed
Expand your boundaries by learning new art techniques, exploring diverse perspectives, and creating innovative work. Benefit from the guidance of the art department’s esteemed professors and guest artists, and take advantage of our study abroad and research opportunities.
Year One
Start Your Creative Journey
Take Introduction to the History of Art, which sets the foundation for your art education at Reed. Learn current art history theories and perspectives, and discover how to use the Reed Digital Collections to access our art collections.
Embrace many paths to knowledge by taking Humanities 110. In this renowned Reed course, study important cultural works, including art and literature, from several academic disciplinary perspectives to understand humanity’s past and present and sharpen your analytical and writing skills along the way.
Year Two
Expand Artistic Horizons
Continue your art studies with a range of art history and studio art courses, such as Craft and Culture and Beginning Bookbinding.
You can even spend a semester abroad with a Reed-sponsored program. Consider our collaborative program with Sarah Lawrence College in Florence, Italy, or if you have a second-language proficiency, take art courses in countries such as China, Germany, and France.
Year Three
Embrace Artistic Diversity
If you’re an art history student, take Recent Writing About Art and any other courses that align with your deepening focus, such as Art and Archaeology in Early China. Studio art students can choose from classes like Intersection: Architecture, Landscape Sculpture or Image and Text: The Book as a Sculptural Object.
You can also collaborate with a faculty member on their research or work on a project of your own. These opportunities help you dive deeper into your area of interest and prepare you for future pursuits. Reed even offers grants and fellowships that can help fund your research.
Year Four
Bring Your Vision to Life
Spend the year doing research and working closely with your faculty adviser to complete your senior thesis, culminating your education at Reed.
For an art history thesis, engage with an object or previous research in a significant original project, revealing your critical thinking and writing skills. For a studio art thesis, create an original art project and present it in writing and discussion, demonstrating your ability to place your creation in its proper context.
Why Study Art at Reed College?
Take Art History and Studio Art Courses
As a Reed art student, you choose to specialize in either art history or studio art. But what makes our art department stand out is how much we have integrated these two complementary branches. Whichever emphasis you select, you study both art history and studio art to help you become a better art historian or artist.
In the art history thesis, gain a deep understanding of art periods, movements, and research methods. Our art history professors teach Western and non-Western art ranging from the ancient to the contemporary. Through extensive discussions and writing, refine your critical observation skills while analyzing individual works of art.
In the studio art thesis, engage in formal, technical, and conceptual topics through diverse projects. Professors teach classes in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and digital media. Upper-level courses encourage independent exploration, allowing you to delve into traditional core media or experiment with innovative forms.
Learn from Guest Artists
Enrich your education by learning from guest artists. Through the Stephen E. Ostrow Visitors Program and the Robert L. Lehman Fund, we host distinguished individuals who give public lectures and seminars, providing you access to new perspectives and techniques. The Ostrow artists also often showcase their work in the Douglas F. Cooley Memorial Art Gallery, giving you deeper insight into their creative processes.
My Favorite Courses
Leila Pyle ’17
Art
Jeri Brand ’19
Comparative Literature
Prof. Kris Cohen’s The Art of Capitalism class taught me that you learn far more at the margins than in the center.
Careers for Art Majors
Reed’s art department prepares graduates to work in various positions in the art world, academia, and beyond. Current art alumni work in the following fields:
- Adventure cartoonist, Self-employed
- Assistant curator of collections, Benton Museum of Art at Pomona College
- Cofounder of an art, ephemera, and object bookstore, Monograph Bookwerks
- Design engineer, NASA’s International Space Station
- Director of operations and brand, Southern California Ballet
- Elementary school teacher, Core Education Academy
- Global brand creative production coordinator, Nike, Inc.
- PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne
Achievements of BA in Art Students
Our art majors and alumni have been recognized for their scholarly endeavors and profound contributions to the art community. Here is a selection of their notable achievements:
- Rose Driver ’19, Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
- Leila Pyle ’17, Udall Scholarship
- Margaret MacLean ’16, President Summer Fellowship
- Cancy Chu ’15, Fulbright-National Archives Heritage Science Fellowship
- Lucy Bellwood ’12, Locher Summer Creative Scholarship
- Auden Lincoln-Vogel ’13, Fulbright U.S. Student Program
- David Reed ’68, Eliot Award
Venice Exhibit Features Reed Professors and Alumni
Displaying art from two Reed professors and eight alumni, “Transitions and Transformations: The Constant Flux of Our Personal Structures” explores the difficulties and resilience of life in the face of social and environmental changes. The exhibit is part of the 2023 Venice Biennale.
