Art Education
Teach Art. Inspire Minds.
Do you believe in the power of art to spark ideas, build connections, and shape the future? Becoming an art educator will allow you to build a community of young artists and engage them in this creative and transformative process.
The Art Education program at Murray State prepares future art teachers to inspire, guide, and learn alongside their students as they explore, create, and find their voice through art. Through hands-on studio work, art history exploration, curriculum development, and real-world teaching experiences in K-12 classrooms, museums, and community settings, students gain the skills to design meaningful, student-centered learning experiences. Guided by our award-winning faculty, you’ll refine your artistic practice while developing the knowledge and confidence to make teaching one of your many art forms.
With a growing demand for art educators in Kentucky and beyond, now is the perfect time to turn your passion into a profession. Choose one of our art education degree tracks to earn your initial Kentucky teaching certificate for visual art in just four years. Both tracks allow you to select a Studio Art Area of Emphasis. The BA/BS tracks provide a strong general education in art with flexibility across studio areas, while the BFA track offers a more focused studio experience for future teachers who want to build a stronger portfolio:
Or add the Community-Based Art Education Certificate or art education courses to any degree to develop your teaching skills and expand your career opportunities through hands-on art experiences.
What career options will I have with an art education degree?
Our graduates teach in public and private P–12 schools, lead community arts programs, work in museums and galleries, manage nonprofit arts organizations, teach in their own studios, and pursue graduate study. Through their studio practice, teaching experiences, and work with diverse audiences, Art Education students develop skills in communication, leadership, collaboration, and creative problem-solving that prepare them for a wide range of careers in the arts and beyond.
An Art Education degree builds on your artistic development while providing the additional knowledge and experience to teach, mentor, and engage communities through art.
Ready to make an impact? Visit campus, tour our studios, talk to our faculty, and see what it's like to be a pre-service teacher at Murray State. Contact Dr. Williams (rwilliams44@murraystate.edu), our Professor of Art Education, for more information.
“Murray State University's Art Education program provided me with a rich artistic foundation and essential classroom instructional skills through its integration within the Art & Design Department on campus and hands-on leadership opportunities within the school and community which preceded my student teaching.”
Facilities
- 1,279 square feet of studio space
- Stocked Studio Centers
- Collage
- Craft
- Drawing
- Painting
- Printmaking
- Sculpture
- 86" 4K Touchscreen Instructional Display
- Stereo Soundbar
- 6 iPads and Stands
- 5 Large K-12 Appropriate Worktables
- 2 Large Sinks
- 32x13.5” Spray Booth
- Critique Walls
- Drying Rack
- Artwork Reproductions
- Library of Teaching Resources
- Paper Cutter
- Standing Paper Roll Rack
- Access during Gallery Hours
Student Work
Courses Offered
- ART 341 Fundamentals of Elementary School Art
- ART 342 Fundamentals of Secondary School Art
- ART 343 Art Materials and Techniques for the Classroom
- ART 344 Community-Based Art Education
- ART 488 Cooperative Education/Internship
- ART 489 Cooperative Education/Internship
- ART 492 Special Problems in Art Education
- ART 692 Special Problems in Art Education