The University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Art, Art History & Design (SAAHD), is a nationally accredited institution delivering intensive studio practice, rigorous historical scholarship, and innovative design education through undergraduate and graduate degrees.  The programs include the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and Doctor of Philosophy programs across creative disciplines spanning ceramics, textiles, emerging media arts, visual communication design, painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and critical art historical studies within the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts.

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University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Art, Art History & Design

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Academic Program Structure & Specializations

SAAHD operates through three synergistic divisions offering specialized curricula:

• Studio Art: Comprehensive BFA/BA programs with immersive concentrations in ceramics, drawing, interdisciplinary art, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The MFA terminal degree emphasizes professional studio development through individualized mentorship, conceptual exploration, and advanced technical training.
• Art History: BA, MA, and PhD tracks examining global visual cultures across historical periods, with faculty expertise in Renaissance/Baroque, Modern/Contemporary, Indigenous Arts, Asian Art, and Museum Studies. The PhD program features one of few museum-focused specializations in the region.
• Design: Jointly administered with the College of Education and Human Sciences, offering BA/BFA degrees with two distinct specializations: Visual Communication Design (graphic design, UX/UI, branding) and Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design (apparel construction, textile science, retail strategies).

Notably, the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts—a $57 million facility—delivers a distinct BFA integrating digital arts, virtual production, and narrative technologies, complementing SAAHD’s traditional disciplines.

Facilities & Creative Infrastructure

Students access purpose-built environments across multiple dedicated buildings:

• Richards Hall: Primary hub housing painting studios, drawing labs, faculty offices, digital labs, and the Eisentrager-Howard Gallery
• Woods Art Building: Ceramics kiln yard (gas/electric/raku), sculpture foundry, metal fabrication shops, and woodworking facilities
• Home Economics Building: Textile design looms, dye labs, fashion studios, and merchandising technology labs
• Johnny Carson Center: Motion capture stages, XR development labs, soundstages, and post-production suites

Additional resources include the Robert Hillestad Textiles Gallery, the Christlieb Collection of historical prints, and the Materials & Applications Research Laboratory.

Faculty Distinctions & Creative Research

SAAHD’s 40+ full-time faculty include internationally recognized practitioners and scholars: Guggenheim Fellows, Fulbright recipients, published authors in premier journals, and exhibitors at Venice Biennale, Whitney Museum, and Documenta. Faculty maintain active research profiles through archaeological fieldwork, conservation science partnerships, public art commissions, and industry collaborations with entities like Adobe and Valentino. The school hosts the annual Hixson-Lied Visiting Artists & Scholars Lecture Series bringing prominent creators to campus.

Experiential Learning & Professional Development

Beyond studios, students engage in:

• Exhibition Programming: Annual BFA/MFA thesis shows, Eisentrager-Howard juried exhibitions, and national invitationals
• Global Study: Faculty-led programs in Italy (Venice Biennale), Japan (ceramics/textiles), and UK (museology)
• Internships: Placements at Smithsonian museums, Pentagram design firm, Sundance Film Festival, and historic preservation offices
• Undergraduate Research: UCARE program funds collaborative projects with faculty mentors

The school’s Capstone Course integrates professional practices, portfolio development, and entrepreneurship training.

Community Engagement & Public Impact

SAAHD drives cultural initiatives across Nebraska through:

• First Friday Partnerships: Student exhibitions at Lincoln galleries
• Arts Extension Service: Rural community arts programming
• Sheldon Museum Collaboration: Curatorial opportunities with its 13,000-object collection
• K-12 Outreach: Summer art camps, teacher workshops, and mobile studio programs

The school’s Public Art Initiative manages campus installations, while the “State Museum” course partners with History Nebraska on exhibition development.

Admissions & Funding Landscape

Prospective students undergo portfolio reviews (for BFAs) or writing sample submissions (for Art History). The school offers:

• Merit-based scholarships: Hixson-Lied Undergraduate Awards (up to $5,000)
• Graduate funding: Full tuition remission + $18,000/year stipends for MFA/PhD candidates
• Special awards: Edgren Tuition Fellowship for international students, Windgate Charitable Foundation support for craft disciplines

Career outcomes include placements at DreamWorks Animation, Metropolitan Museum conservation labs, Target design headquarters, and academic appointments nationwide.

As the only comprehensive visual arts institution within Nebraska’s flagship research university, SAAHD leverages extensive resources—including the Nebraska Innovation Studio makerspace and Digital Humanities Center—to prepare graduates for evolving creative fields. The school maintains NASAD accreditation and actively contributes to Big Ten Academic Alliance arts initiatives while cultivating regional cultural development through its 150-year legacy of arts education.

Art Programs

The Studio Art division provides intensive hands-on training through multiple degree paths:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art
  • 120-credit program with 75+ credits in studio disciplines
  • Concentrations: Ceramics, Drawing, Interdisciplinary Art, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture
  • Structured progression: Foundation courses → Intermediate techniques → Advanced conceptual development → Senior thesis exhibition
  • Mandatory critique sessions, professional practices seminar, and gallery management training
  • Duration: 4 years with final year dedicated to thesis production
• Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art
  • 120-credit program with 45 studio credits + liberal arts focus
  • Ideal for double majors or students seeking broader academic exploration
  • Includes 18-credit minor requirement outside art department
  • Capstone: Junior/Senior exhibition or research paper
  • Duration: 4 years with flexible scheduling
• Master of Fine Arts in Art
  • 60-credit terminal degree requiring full-time residency
  • Three-year structure: First year experimentation → Second year specialization → Third year thesis development
  • Weekly graduate seminars, teaching practicum, and mandatory exhibition history
  • Thesis requirement: Solo exhibition + written documentation + oral defense
  • Guaranteed studio space and annual funding through assistantships

Art History Programs

Critical studies of visual culture across historical periods:

• Bachelor of Arts in Art History
  • 120-credit program with 36 upper-division art history credits
  • Core survey sequence (Ancient to Contemporary) + thematic seminars
  • Methods training: Formal analysis, iconography, social history, critical theory
  • Concentration options: Museum Studies, Renaissance-Baroque, Modern-Contemporary
  • Language requirement: Two semesters of French, German, or Italian
  • Duration: 4 years with mandatory internship at Sheldon Museum or partner institution
• Master of Arts in Art History
  • 36-credit program with thesis or non-thesis track
  • Specializations: Indigenous Arts of the Americas, Early Modern Europe, Critical Museology
  • Required coursework: Historiography, research methods, two graduate seminars
  • Thesis option: 6-credit original research project + oral examination
  • Duration: 2 years full-time with teaching opportunities
• Doctor of Philosophy in Art History
  • 90-credit post-baccalaureate program with comprehensive exams
  • Major/minor field construction (e.g., Modernism + Critical Theory)
  • Museum studies concentration includes curatorial practicum
  • Language proficiency: Two research languages beyond English
  • Dissertation requirement: Book-length manuscript with public defense
  • Duration: 5-6 years with guaranteed funding years 1-5

Design Programs

Jointly administered with the College of Education and Human Sciences:

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Communication Design
  • 120-credit NASAD-accredited curriculum
  • Core sequence: Typography → Information design → Interaction design → Brand systems
  • Advanced studios: Motion design, UX research, design entrepreneurship
  • Industry software certification (Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma)
  • Mandatory junior internship + senior portfolio development
  • Duration: 4 years with final-year capstone client projects
• Bachelor of Arts in Visual Communication Design
  • 120-credit program blending design with liberal arts
  • Foundation design courses + 12 credits advanced studios
  • Requires 30-credit minor in related field (e.g., Marketing, Computer Science)
  • Duration: 4 years with study abroad opportunities
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Textiles, Merchandising & Fashion Design
  • 120-credit program with three track options:
    • Textile Design: Weaving, surface design, digital printing
    • Apparel Design: Draping, patternmaking, collection development
    • Merchandising: Buying, trend forecasting, omnichannel retail
  • Technical facilities: Digital jacquard looms, Gerber CAD, body scanning
  • Industry partnerships: New York Study Tour, National Retail Federation projects
  • Duration: 4 years with senior collection/showcase

Emerging Media Arts Program

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Emerging Media Arts
  • 120-credit interdisciplinary degree through Johnny Carson Center
  • Core curriculum: Creative coding → Physical computing → Narrative systems → Immersive environments
  • Specialized facilities: XR lab, volumetric capture stage, sound design suites
  • Industry-led workshops with companies like Epic Games and NVIDIA
  • Capstone: Public exhibition of original immersive experience
  • Duration: 4 years with required collaborative project each semester

Additional Academic Opportunities

• Minors
  • Art History (18 credits)
  • Studio Art (18 credits)
  • Digital Humanities (15 credits)
  • Museum Studies (12 credits)
• Certificate Programs
  • Arts Entrepreneurship (15 credits)
  • Digital Fabrication (12 credits)
  • Public Art & Community Engagement (9 credits)
• Accelerated Degrees
  • BFA+MA Art History dual degree (5 years)
  • BA Art History + JD Law coordinated program (6 years)

All programs emphasize professional development through required internships, portfolio reviews at sophomore/junior milestones, and participation in annual industry networking events connecting students with alumni from Pixar, Hallmark, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Curriculum maps follow NASAD standards with continuous assessment through juried exhibitions, thesis defenses, and design critiques.

Contact The School of Art, Art History, & Design at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln: