Bachelor of Arts: Art & Design

Design Your World, Your Way

The University of Maine at Farmington (UMF) Art & Design program equips students with a broad skill set by requiring courses across multiple disciplines, preparing them to work in today’s diverse creative environment. Students fosters a strong sense of community through group trips, collaborative projects, student clubs, and senior studios. In the senior studios, each student has a private workspace and shared areas to collaborate with peers, complete their senior thesis, and prepare a body of work for their exhibition.

Beyond developing practical skills as an artist, students gain a deep understanding of both contemporary and historical ideas in studio practice. The program also emphasizes the broader role of art, helping students see how creative work connects to local and global communities.

What You’ll Learn

The Art and Design program offers a major structured for students who wish to explore creative professions. Tracks include studies in Visual Art, Graphic Design, Web Media Design, Video Game Design, and Film, Animation and Visual Storytelling.

This cross-disciplinary study of art, history, culture, and story allows students to see themselves as artists in the working world. Through professional portfolio development, students build their skill set and articulate their vision while refining their professional presence and creative practice. Through art history and literature courses, students consider the cultural context of works of art and design and through writing courses, students work to express their unique ideas to develop marketing, entrepreneurial, and communication skills in order to prepare for creative leadership.

Beyond the Classroom

UMF Arts District

Creativity is everywhere at UMF. The Emery Community Arts Center, Alumni Theater, and historic Nordica Auditorium create a vibrant Arts District where students experience exhibitions, performances, guest artists, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Whether you’re creating your own work, supporting campus productions, or exploring new forms of expression, you’ll find opportunities to engage with the arts every day.

Pixel Hunter Student Short Film Project

During Arts Week, the UMF Division of the Arts presents Pixel Hunter, an end-of-year video project by University of Maine at Farmington students. It’s a collection of experimental short films and animations created by UMF students as part of their academic program in The Arts. Students use storytelling, animation, filmmaking, and digital media skills to bring original ideas to life while sharing their work with the campus community.

What can I do with a degree in Art?

An Art & Design major opens doors to a wide variety of creative and professional careers. It’s not just about making art—it’s about applying your creativity, technical skills, and critical thinking in ways that matter. Essentially, an Art & Design degree prepares you to create, communicate, and innovate—skills that are highly valued across industries, from traditional studio work to tech, education, and business.

Group of students sitting at a picnic table outside in front of a bond listening to a professor standing in front of the table.

Expand Your Skills with a Minor

A Minor in Art helps students develop creative skills, visual literacy, and artistic perspectives that complement any major. Art & Design majors can also pair their degree with minors such as Art History, Business Communications, Theatre, or Video Game Studies to broaden their creative and professional skills.

Faculty Who Inspire

UMF faculty bring their expertise in creative disciplines directly into your education. They guide students in developing critical thinking, creativity, and professional readiness.

Contact Us to Get Started!

Office of Admissions
246 Main Street
Farmington, Maine USA 04938
umfadmit@maine.edu
207.778.7050