OpportunitiesDepartment of Art and Art History

Connecting to Space and Place

  • Student Exhibitions Exhibiting artworks made by Majors is fundamental to the Visual Arts program. Once, as a Junior, and again as a Senior, the Department of Art and Art History practices a two-year capstone with two exhibitions geared toward developing and applying the students' material skill and artistic vision. There are also six exhibition opportunities in addition to capstone experiences. Other opportunities for exhibition include, Junior summer grant recipients, President's Art Award, Student Artist of the Month, Art in Rotation in campus buildings, All Student Juried Exhibition in the Schaefer Art Gallery, and annual juried student artworks displayed in Center for Career Development.

    There is an annual Visual Arts Day: Art Party!! to connect with current students, faculty, family, and visiting prospective art students. Plus, seniors host Night Markets to connect with their peers and sell small artworks.

  • Scholarships for Prospective Students Gustavus offers art scholarships that recognize students with demonstrated talent and commitment to the field of art.

  • Scholarships for Current Students The Engaged Learning Fund provides students with the opportunity to travel to further their learning in art and art history. This fund supports students in their pursuit of experiential learning, professional development, and networking opportunities beyond the campus. This financial support can help you attend national or international workshops and conferences to interact with professionals in the field and gain valuable insights into current professional trends and career paths.

  • Schaefer Fine Arts Building Taking advantage of what the Schaefer Studio Arts Building has to offer is a fantastic way for creative individuals to come together, collaborate, and showcase their talents. There are studios for painting, drawing, analog photography, bronze pouring, metal working, framing and ceramics.

  • Student Studios Junior Studio Arts majors are offered semi-private studio spaces, Senior Studio Art majors are offered private studio spaces. The studio spaces are open and a collaborative environment is built among the students and faculty.

  • Exhibition Spaces Across Campus The Department of Art and Art History values the universal human desire for artistic expression and celebrates the contributions of artists in all cultures through history. Physically connected to the Schaefer Studio Art Building, the Schaefer Art Gallery offers exhibitions and events to support the Art and Art History Department, augment the educational experience of Gustavus Adolphus College as a whole, and engage members of the surrounding communities. The annual exhibition calendar includes a combination of contemporary art work by regional and national artists or artist groups, Department of Art and Art History student exhibitions, artist lectures, discussion based workshops, and interactive artworks.

    Creative exhibition spaces are also scattered throughout the campus. These include public sculpture pads, permanent and rotating art installations in academic buildings, and informal pop-up spaces where students can display their artwork.

    • Beck Hall houses a digital arts lab equipped with computers, software, and tools for digital art creation.
    • The college library offers a dedicated section for visual arts resources, including books, journals, and digital resources on various art forms, art history, techniques, and artists.
    • The Hillstrom Museum of Art Endowment offers students direct educational experience with collections based artworks.

  • Study Away Many students study in another country to explore different artistic traditions, engage with diverse cultural contexts, Popular study away locations include Italy, Copenhagen, Scotland, Florence, and Australia.Faculty members are eager to assist you in selecting appropriate courses and ensuring the seamless transfer of credits.

  • Arts Entrepreneurship Salon Series The Arts Entrepreneurship Salon Series in the Schaefer Fine Arts Gallery invites students to enjoy the fine arts and build their professional experience. You'll network with artists and professionals to discuss questions like how to be a full-time working artist or how to interview for jobs in the industry. The festive atmosphere always includes guest speakers, a small music ensemble performing, food, and visual art exhibited.

  • Professional Development, Conferences, and Networking Engaging in professional development activities and networking with professionals in the field can significantly enhance your career prospects in art and art history.

    • College Art Association (CAA) - The College Art Association is a professional organization dedicated to promoting the visual arts. CAA offers resources, job listings, publications, and networking opportunities for artists, art historians, curators, and other art professionals.
    • AIGA Minnesota - AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) is a professional association for design. AIGA Minnesota offers networking events, workshops, job boards, and other resources specifically tailored to graphic designers and visual artists in Minnesota.
    • Art-Related Workshops and Conferences - Faculty will keep you informed of workshops, conferences, and symposiums with artists, scholars, and industry experts.

  • Careers and Internships Gustavus Art and Art History graduates have a long history of getting internships and jobs in the arts and some choose to apply the numerous skills gained from their art classes to a wide variety of other careers. The Center for Career Development staff can assist you with interview preparation and resume writing.

    There are several opportunities for internships on campus in the Hillstrom Museum of Art, Fine Arts Office, Schaefer Art Gallery, or the Library Archives.

    If you are looking for an internship off campus or are ready to start the job search, exploring job boards and platforms specific to the art and art history field can be a valuable resource for finding internship and career opportunities. It's also beneficial to explore local art associations, museums, galleries, and cultural institutions that may have their own internship and job listings or resources for artists and art professionals.

    The following job boards and platforms are known for listing art-related positions:

    • Springboard for the Arts Job Board - Springboard for the Arts is an organization that supports artists and creative professionals. They have a job board specifically dedicated to listing art-related job opportunities, including positions in various artistic disciplines, arts administration, and arts education.
    • MNArtists Opportunities - MNArtists is a platform that connects artists in Minnesota with opportunities in the arts. They provide a comprehensive list of job opportunities, calls for artists, grants, residencies, and other artistic opportunities in the region.
    • MN Nonprofits Job Board - While not specific to art and art history, the MN Nonprofits Job Board can be a useful resource for finding opportunities in nonprofit organizations that focus on the arts. Many arts and cultural organizations, such as museums, galleries, and arts advocacy groups, post their openings on this platform.

  • Alumni Network Alumni from the Art and Art History Department stay connected after graduation. Alumni are available to mentor current students and provide guidance, advice, and networking for art-related careers. Plus many alumni continue as active creators.