Art courses at Swarthmore engage students on an individual level to strengthen their paths as young artists. Our courses develop visual analysis skills, expand awareness of potential avenues for self-expression, and provide the conceptual framework necessary for students to connect their work to larger histories and methods of making. As artists at Swarthmore College, our faculty consider visual intelligence to be fundamental to a liberal arts education. The study and creation of art is a direct way of developing a better understanding of and appreciation for the cultures and societies of our contemporary world; the visual phenomena found in it, both in nature and in society; and the historical record of human development. In recognition of this, we encourage our students to interpret their experiences in relation to their contemporary situation while remaining in dialogue with past artists and ideas.
Learn more on the Art Department website and in the College Catalog.