Art

Studying Art at Simmons University means that Boston is your classroom. We are surrounded by world class museums and musical organizations. You will have classes at the Museum of Fine Arts, the unique Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and meet the professionals who work there.

Student working on a self portrait in art class

Studying art changes the way you see the world

You'll learn to navigate our visual world in a dynamic and meaningful way. And you'll gain the skills needed to research, experiment and solve problems creatively, no matter what your career.

Through classes in art history, you'll develop an understanding of diverse cultures—past and present.With a minor in studio art, you will learn to express your own ideas visually. Or choose a minor in arts administration and prepare for roles in museums, performing arts groups and other cultural organizations. Additionally, some content in the current Art major will be transitioning to the new Humanities major beginning in Fall 2024, pending approval.

See what's going on in the Trustman Art Gallery, and check our Student Portfolio site to see some recent work.

Our students go on to successful careers in museums, education, marketing, development and public relations. They become artists, doctors, professors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and designers.

 

An art minor requires five courses. Students may emphasize either studio art or art history.

ART 100 is accepted for the art minor.

Art History:

Students must take four art history courses and one of the following studio art courses:

ART111 Draw What You See 4
ART112 Color Studio 4
ART138 The Poetry of Photography 4
ART139 Color Photography CSI 4

Studio Art:

Students must take one art history course plus four studio art courses, one of which must be from the list below. Two courses must be at the 200 level or above.

ART111 Draw What You See 4
ART112 Color Studio 4
ART138 The Poetry of Photography 4
ART139 Color Photography CSI 4

ART 100 is accepted for the art minor.

Spotlight on Art Students and Alums

Passionate Leaders Project Students Spring 2023

Passionate Leaders Project: Spring 2023 Cohort

The Passionate Leaders Project (PLP) supports Simmons undergraduates by enriching their academic and professional interests beyond the confines of the classroom. Students may request up to $4,000 to support their research, internships, and creative endeavors. This semester's cohort is producing...


2022 Orientation Leaders

Meet Your Orientation Leaders: Emily Marder '23, Katelyn Fox '25, Kiki Regan '23, Sophie Bredensteiner '23, and Tess Federico-Maietta '23

Emily Marder '23 is a Nursing major from Lynnfield, Massachusetts. Emily explains why she became an Orientation Leader: "I had fond memories of my orientation and liked how the Orientation Leaders were able to foster a community feeling and connect...


Ifill Scholar Kate Benton ’24 Pursues a Global Approach to Art History

Ifill Scholar Kate Benton ’24 Pursues a Global Approach to Art History

What professors have helped you pursue your goals? I would like to acknowledge Assistant Professor Asiel Sepúlveda and Associate Professor Sarah Leonard for their support throughout my academic career thus far. Both professors have pushed me to sharpen my critical...


Bianca Valerio with City of Pasadena monument

Bianca Valerio '13 Becomes First Hispanic Woman Elected to Pasadena City Council

As an artist and elected official, Bianca Valerio takes a creative approach to her community's problems. We spoke with Valerio about her journey into local politics and her hope to redefine what young women in her community are capable of.


Abhilasha Natarajan, bachelor of social work (bsw) student

Abhilasha Natarajan ‘22 Thrives at the Intersection of Art and Social Work

Natarajan is the creative vision behind “Re-assembling” and “Bound Together.” Both exhibits are currently on display in the Management and Academic Building (4th floor) and the Main College Building (4th floor). Learn about her journey.


Headshot of Whitney Andrews

Whitney Andrews ’11 Applies Creativity to Financial Planning Role at L'Oréal

While pursuing a dual art and mathematics major, Whitney Andrews '11 discovered the many connections these fields share. Now a financial planning and analysis manager at L'Oréal, Andrews tells us how Simmons allowed her to explore these disparate interests.


Headshot of Erin Buck

Erin Buck ’21 Explores Food Justice and Social Impact

Erin Buck ’21 is a recipient of the 3D Award for her project, “Food Justice and Social Impact: A Holistic Exploration of Modern Hunger,” and will speak on this topic at the Undergraduate Symposium on April 22.


Headshot of Catrina Yang

Catrina Farrell '21 on Finding a Welcoming Community at Simmons

We caught up with Catrina about her experience transferring to Simmons.