Visit

Main Content Area

A group of college students discussing a sculpture in a classroom

Studio Art

Earn a Studio Art Associate Degree at Aims

Are you passionate about making things and exploring different ways of creating art? If you’re interested in learning multiple artistic disciplines including drawing, painting, ceramics, photography and more, earning a studio art degree at Aims is an affordable way to begin your journey into higher education and a career.

Art plays multiple roles in our culture, including providing a means of self-expression and employment as well as enhancing public and private spaces. Art also reflects and critiques social, political, religious and economic trends. 

Earning a studio art associate degree at Aims is an affordable path to getting your bachelor’s degree. Taking your general education degree requirements at Aims instead of a four-year school can save you substantial cost. Thanks to a statewide agreement between community colleges and universities, after completing your associate degree at Aims, you can transfer to any participating four-year public university in Colorado and earn your bachelor’s degree in studio art. 

If you’re interested in learning the skills to create things that make people’s lives more enjoyable and interesting, explore the studio art associate degree program at Aims.

Explore Various Artistic Disciplines While Earning a Studio Art Associate Degree at Aims

The Aims studio art degree program is a multidisciplinary and hands-on educational experience. Aims currently offers studio art classes in the following artistic disciplines:

  • Painting
  • Drawing
  • Ceramics
  • Jewelry and metalwork
  • Printmaking
  • Photography
  • 2D and 3D design

While earning a studio art associate degree, you’ll also learn soft skills that will help you succeed in bachelor’s and advanced degree programs and employment, including:

  • Problem-solving
  • Creative thinking
  • Nonverbal communication
  • Presentation
  • Visual communication
  • Critical observation
  • Critical thinking
  • Innovation
  • Collaboration
  • Resourcefulness

Careers in Studio Art

You can take a studio art associate degree in many directions, depending upon your areas of interest. Examples of careers you can pursue after earning a bachelor’s degree in studio art include:

  • Fine artist
  • Commercial artist
  • Photographer
  • Educator
  • Art therapist (may require education beyond a bachelor’s degree)
  • Gallery owner
  • Public art coordinator for a municipality or institution

Continue Your Studio Art Studies at a Colorado Four-Year Public University

A Colorado Statewide Transfer Articulation Agreement allows you to go on to study at any participating public university statewide after graduating from Aims with an Associate of Arts degree.

Many general education and elective requirements will transfer to most of these colleges. However, at this time, very few studio art classes offered at Aims are considered guarantee transfer classes by most public Colorado colleges, with one exception: The University of Northern Colorado (UNC). Even better, the Aims2UNC transition program can help you both during your time at Aims and after you transfer to UNC. If you’d like to attend a school other than UNC, you may have to take additional art courses to complete your bachelor’s degree.
 

Here’s what your journey from Aims to a bachelor’s degree in studio art will look like:

  1. An Aims Admissions Advisor can answer your questions about this degree transfer program and help you get started on the path to earning your degree.
  2. After becoming an Aims student, you’ll choose classes to earn your studio art associate degree. Your Aims Pathway Advisor will help you ensure you follow the pathway that best suits you and helps you reach your goals.
  3. During your time at Aims, you'll also work with an Aims Transfer Coach to get help choosing the school you’d like to transfer to and researching what scholarships are available.
  4. You can also reach out to a transfer advisor at your chosen four-year school to make sure you're choosing classes that will support you when you go on to complete your bachelor's degree.
  5. Before graduating from Aims, your Transfer Coach will help you prepare for the transition to your new school as a junior.
Aims2UNC Program

The Aims2UNC Transition Program

Aims2UNC is a joint initiative streamlining the path for students to seamlessly transition between the two colleges. You’ll get support from advisors specific to this program who will assist you as you earn your associate and bachelor's degrees in studio art.

Learn more

Leverage Your Studio Art Associate Degree to Earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Related Subjects

If you decide to pursue another discipline after transferring to a four-year school, here are some bachelor’s degrees related to studio art:

  • Art History
  • Art Education
  • Graphic Design
  • Marketing

You can also choose one of the majors above and declare a minor in studio art. Work with your Pathway Advisor to choose the courses that you’ll need to fulfill requirements. If you choose a new major, know that you may need to make up some credits after transferring.

Studio Art Faculty and Staff

You don’t have to worry about having previous experience or being “good” at art to take studio art classes at Aims. You’ll gain different perspectives from the studio art faculty, a student-focused and diverse group with various educational and professional backgrounds. Each faculty member is a working professional artist either exhibiting or selling their work and can give you insight into careers in studio art. 

  • Aims Community College art instructor Charles Luna

    Charles Luna

    Instructor, Art
  • Sonya Paukune headshot

    Sonya PauKune

    Professor, Art
  • Andrew Moline Headshot

    Andrew Moline

    Part-Time: Faculty, Art
    Part-Time: Faculty, English
  • Kris Heintz Nelson

    Part-Time Faculty, Art
  • Matthew McHugh

    Part-Time Instructor, Art
  • Headshot of Aims Art and Women and Gender Studies instructor Charis Fleshner

    Charis Fleshner

    Part-Time: Faculty, Art
    Part-Time: Faculty, Women and Gender Studies
  • Aims Community College art instructor Victoria Lisi

    Victoria Lisi

    Part-Time Faculty, Art
  • Shana Salaff

    Part-Time Faculty, Art
  • Aims art and design instructor Henry Stinson

    Henry Stinson

    Part-Time Faculty, Art
  • Photo of Helen Villarreal

    Helen Villarreal

    Art Department Lab Coordinator and Part-Time Instructor, Continuing Education