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 …
Studio Art Minor
You are naturally creative – and a fiercely curious person. You dive in deep, learn as much as you can, and express yourself and your findings through art. We not only see you, we celebrate you. And we have a studio art minor designed just for you.
Our program provides a studio art experience to complement your major. For many students, our minor in art is a way to continue working on a style of art – 2D, 3D or digital – that they love too much to let go despite having a different major. For others, it’s the burst of creativity and personal expression they need to round out their education. Whatever your reason, a studio arts minor is a great addition to your academic focus. We’re glad you are here!
Program Type
Minor
Program Format
On Campus
The arts are for everyone.
A minor or certificate in the arts provides a well-rounded education. That’s because the arts foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They enhance communication and presentation skills, which are valuable in any professional setting. Engaging in the arts also increases empathy and understanding of diverse people and perspectives. Plus, they bring a unique selling point to your resume by demonstrating a versatile skill set.
And let’s be honest: The arts are also a lot of fun, adding stress relief and variety to your college experience.
89%Executives agree that creativity is a top skill
91%Americans agree the arts are vital to education
73%Americans say the arts help them understand others
45Minutes of art making can reduce stress levels
Studio Art Minor Program Details
The studio arts minor offers tracks in 2D, 3D and digital art. Whichever track you choose, you have access to fully equipped studios and project spaces for collaborative work. Inspiring exhibition spaces and a wide array of guest artists combine to serve as endless inspiration to your education. You’ll also get to work closely with faculty mentors and collaborate with peers in a variety of creative projects, both on campus and in Milwaukee’s vibrant arts community.
Explore the Art and Design Minor: Studio Arts requirements in the Academic Catalog.
You may also be interested in our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio Art, which includes the option to pursue a single or dual studio discipline.
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.
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
Studio Art 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.
- Teaching Faculty II, Printmaking & Book Arts
- brinichl@uwm.edu
- Art Building 319
- Teaching Faculty II, Jewelry & Metalsmithing
- Teaching Faculty II, BA Capstone Instructor
- Program Coordinator, Hubei University of Technology (HBUT)
- charlejm@uwm.edu
- 262-472-5708
- Art Building
- Professor, Fibers
- Graduate Program Representative, Art & Design
- Area Head, Fibers
- cho@uwm.edu
- 414-251-7616
- Art Building 478B
- Lecturer, Photography & Imaging
- Lecturer, First Year Program
- escobaja@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B84
- Associate Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
- grame@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4258
- Art Building 430B
- Associate Professor, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Associate Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Area Head, Digital Fabrication & Design
- hawk@uwm.edu
- Art Building 430B
- Teaching Faculty IV, First Year Program
- Teaching Faculty IV, Painting & Drawing
- Director, First Year Program
- Co-Coordinator, Hubei University of Technology
- cshayes@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall 371
- Professor, Jewelry & Metalsmithing
- Area Head, Jewelry & Metalsmithing
- yk@uwm.edu
- Art Building 358
- Assistant Professor, Creative Technologies
- Area Head, Creative Technologies
- kryzhani@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 551
- Teaching Faculty II, Printmaking & Book Arts
- Teaching Faculty II, Community Arts
- Teaching Faculty II, Writing & Critical Thinking
- Assistant Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
- larsenw@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 545
- Teaching Faculty III, Sculpture
- Teaching Faculty III, First Year Program
- Outreach Coordinator, Art & Design
- Living Learning Community Coordinator, Art & Design
- martinke@uwm.edu
- 414-251-7910
- Mitchell Hall 371
- Teaching Faculty II, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Studio Technician, Jewelry & Metalsmithing
- Department Safety Coordinator and Technician, Art & Design
- meierea@uwm.edu
- Art Building 358
- Associate Professor (on sabbatical 2025-26), Printmaking & Book Arts
- Area Head, Printmaking & Book Arts
- meuninck@uwm.edu
- 414-229-3753
- Art Building 319
- Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
- lmoline@uwm.edu
- Art Building 417
- Associate Professor (on sabbatical 2025-26), Photography & Imaging
- Area Head, Photography & Imaging
- mougel@uwm.edu
- 414-251-6296
- Mitchell Hall B84
- Lecturer, Painting & Drawing
- Lecturer, First Year Program
- amoneill@uwm.edu
- 414-251-9234
- Mitchell Hall 329
- Associate Professor (on sabbatical fall 2025), Painting & Drawing
- Co-Chair, Department of Art & Design
- Area Head, Painting & Drawing
- piehl@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall 329
- Lecturer, Painting & Drawing
- Lecturer, First Year Program
- plunketj@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall 323B
- Lecturer, Printmaking & Book Arts
- Lab Technician, Printmaking & Book Arts
- tcromero@uwm.edu
- Art Building 319
- Lecturer, Design & Visual Communication
- Faculty Advisor, AIGA UWM
- amryan@uwm.edu
- Art Building 417
- Professor, Creative Technologies / Mechanical Engineering
- Co-Chair, Department of Art & Design
- Director, Academic Engagement and Creative Impact
- Executive Director, Autism Brilliance Lab for Entrepreneurship
- sternn@uwm.edu
- 414-251-6004
- Kenilworth Square East 535
- Teaching Faculty II, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Technician, Digital Fabrication & Design
- vivirito@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 368
- Teaching Faculty II, Printmaking & Book Arts
- Teaching Faculty II, First Year Program
- First Year Program & Retention Coordinator, Art & Design
- wagnerlm@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall 371
- Associate Professor, Sculpture
- Area Head, Sculpture
- williagw@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6862
- Art Building B31
