PSOA alum Evelyn Patricia Terry and lecturer and alum Yinan Wang were named among five recipients of the 2026 Mary L. Nohl Fellowship for Individual Artists. Terry was selected in the Established Artist category, and Wang was selected in the Emerging Artist category. FVANG Associate Professor Mike Gibisser was also …
Art Education, BFA BFA
Inspire the next generation of artists and art appreciators with an Art Education BFA. As an art educator you’ll engage people of all ages and interests. And you will help them imagine their diverse futures through the prism of art and design.
Our art education program is different from others – on purpose. We prepare you to teach art in both school and community settings with a special focus on urban education for social justice. With the support and guidance of expert art educators, you’ll engage in extensive, mentored early field experiences followed by student teaching placements. We also make sure you are prepared to advocate for and teach students of various backgrounds, ages and abilities. And because you are an artist yourself, we are committed to helping you develop yourself creatively along the way.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
What it’s like to be an Art Education BFA student at the Peck School of the Arts
When you enter the art education program at UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, you have access to facilities designed with you in mind, including studios in a wide range of disciplines and dedicated art education classrooms stocked with art supplies, a kiln, sewing machines and other tools for top-notch studio preparation in a wide range of media. Plus, we are equipped with instructional technologies commonly used in classrooms so you can master those in a supportive environment.
But don’t take our word for it. Experience for yourself what it is like to be a student here by scheduling a personalized tour and info session.
Art Education BFA Program Details
Our art education program explores the art and craft of writing and teaching curriculum that connects socially engaged, contemporary art and visual culture with the lives, memories, identities and communities of students in a range of educational settings. To give you the most comprehensive teacher preparation possible, we partner with organizations and schools throughout the region, offering you diverse sites to develop your own reflective, resourceful and resilient art teacher identity. When you leave our program you will have the knowledge and skills you need to teach anywhere you like.
A pillar of our program is the ArtsECO (Arts Education/Community Ecosystem), which develops teachers as change-makers. This network of arts organizations, nonprofits and schools wraps your education in support through internships, fellowships, connections and a vibrant student organization. It also supports you after graduation through mentorship, networking and professional development during your early years as an art educator and beyond.
Explore the Art Education, BFA requirements in the Academic Catalog.
K-12 Teacher Licensing
The course of study in this program prepares students for recommendation for certification by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction for a K-12 teaching license. Assessment is aligned with the requirements for licensure under “PI-34,” the state law governing certification in Wisconsin. For more details, please visit the respective program’s requirements tab within the Academic Catalog.
Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification
Peck School of the Arts offers Post-Baccalaureate K-12 teacher certification in three areas: Art Education, Music Education and Theatre Education. The program is available for those who already hold an undergraduate degree in a related major (art, music, theatre) and have graduated with a 3.0+ cumulative GPA. If you do not meet these two requirements, you must instead apply to UWM as a second-degree undergraduate student.
All qualifying applicants are required to submit a Post-Bacc teacher certification interest form and meet with their area head prior to submitting the UWM application.
Art & Design Studio Disciplines
Led by expert artist faculty, our art and design studio disciplines are content areas that provide focus to your creative research, practice and degree. We offer the following studio disciplines: Ceramics, Creative Technologies, Design, Digital Fabrication, Fibers, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Painting & Drawing, Photography & Imaging, Printmaking & Book Arts and Sculpture.
First Year Program in Art & Design
We don’t expect our new students to figure out college life on their own. Our First Year Program is designed to help new art and design students. In addition to specific coursework carefully chosen to foster success, we connect students to the many resources and opportunities found within a research university. Plus, we surround students with individualized support as they dive deeper into their program and find their way.
Scholarships & Aid
UWM and Peck School of the Arts offer a diverse financial aid package for students, including Midwest residence savings, scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities and student loans.
Living Learning Communities
Live in campus housing on the same floor or wing as other students in your major or program. The Peck School of the Arts offers three Living Learning Communities where you can be a part of a “community within a community.” You’ll make friends, form study groups and do social activities together. And, best of all, there is no additional cost to be a part of a Living Learning Community.
Artists Now! Guest Lecture Series
Throughout the fall and spring semesters, the Artists Now! Guest Lecture Series welcomes a diverse group of nationally and internationally recognized artists working across traditional, hybrid and emergent disciplines. Join us to explore and expand boundaries of creative visual practices alongside others with an interest in contemporary visual art.
Galleries & Exhibitions
Our art and design programs host many galleries and exhibitions both on campus and throughout the community. Our campus is home to four permanent art galleries, each with its own unique mission. All of them are free, open to the public and accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Milwaukee is also home to dozens of galleries and museums. All students in an art and design degree program receive a free annual membership to the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM). That means you can visit MAM and its events, including the popular MAM After Dark series, free of charge while you are a student.
Internships & Opportunities
Students work and intern professionally with Milwaukee’s leading art museums and galleries, creative agencies, corporations and nonprofits. They also find internships across the country and beyond. Discover where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.
Student Organizations & Clubs
Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Art & Design Alumni Stories
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Two PSOA alums receive 2026 Nohl Fellowships
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Children’s book illustrator refines their craft at UWMAs a kid growing up in southern California, Pavonis Giron dreamed of being an illustrator for the likes of Pixar and Nickelodeon. “I was trying to put together the skills I needed to work at those studios one day… drawing characters, doing background color studies, working on draftsmanship,” Giron said. …
Art & Design Careers
- 3D Animator / Modeler
- Advertising Director
- Animator
- App Developer
- Art Critic / Writer
- Art Dealer
- Art Director
- Art Gallery Owner
- Art Historian
- Art Therapist
- Artisan Solutionist
- Artist in Residence
- Artists’ Agent
- Arts Administrator
- Augmented Reality Designer
- Blacksmith
- Ceramicist
- Commercial Artist
- Community Artist
- Community Organizer
- Consultant
- Costume Designer
- Creative Services Manager
- Curator
- Design Manager
- Designer
- Director of Community Engagement
- Educator
- Entrepreneur
- Exhibit Designer
- Fabricator
- Fashion Designer
- Fine Artist
- Floral Designer
- Font Designer
- Freelance Artist
- Furniture Designer / Restorer
- Game Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Artist
- Illustrator
- Industrial Designer
- Interactive Designer
- Interior Designer
- Jewelry Designer / Maker
- Lighting Designer
- Makeup Artist
- Marketing & Sales Director
- Metalsmith
- Mixed Media Artist
- Muralist
- Museum Director
- Packaging Designer
- Painter
- Photographer
- Photographic Stylist
- Photographic Technician
- Printmaker
- Product Designer
- Production Artist
- Program Director / Coordinator
- Prop Maker
- Public Artist
- Public Relations Director
- Sculptor
- Set Designer
- Sketch Artist
- Stylist
- Technical Designer, Apparel
- Textile Designer
- Toy Maker
- User Experience / User Interface Designer
- Visual Merchandiser
- Visual / Special Effects Artist
- Web Designer / Developer
Art Education BFA Program Faculty
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Art & Design faculty and staff please click the button below.
