Fine Arts, Design & Art Education
Translating your ideas into tangible designs is not just an art practice; it’s a study in human behavior. Explore core concepts in human-centered design, expand your skills with your choice of several complementary minors, and bring a keen eye for detail to the world — and systems — around you.
Work with world-renowned artists and researchers as you hone your creative vision. UM-Flint’s Art and Design faculty are practicing professionals who are excited to share their expertise with you.
- Engage and build professional relationships with members of Flint’s thriving Arts community
- Combine rigorous coursework with hands-on experience through internships or the Community Design Studio
- Develop foundational skills and practice that will open a variety of career paths, including in design, visual art, photography, education, art therapy, art history, and more
Core Competencies
Art & Design students gain valuable skills in fine art disciplines such as painting and drawing as well as more contemporary design competencies such as interactive or game design.
This highly customizable course of study will give you the tools and experience to collaborate effectively, work under pressure and meet deadlines, iterate on and refine your ideas, and hone your communication skills.
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Why study Art & Design at UM-Flint?
Develop a professional practice
We partner with many of Flint’s local arts organizations, offering endless inspiration and the opportunity to put your classroom skills into practice. A few of our collaborators include:
Exhibit your work in professional galleries
Students have the opportunity to develop and enhance their creation, curation, and exhibition skills in a few different venues:
- UM-Flint’s Riverbank Arts Gallery regularly exhibits local and student artwork
- UM-Flint’s UCEN Gallery regularly hosts collaborative exhibitions developed by student artists
- The Greater Flint Arts Council Gallery in downtown Flint hosts our annual Student Art Exhibition, a juried show held each spring
Customize your degree by exploring various disciplines
We offer several minors and certificates that enable you to delve deeply into a particular practice—or three!
- Art History Minor (opens in new tab)
- Art of Drawing Minor (opens in new tab)
- Art of Painting Minor (opens in new tab)
- Ceramics Minor (opens in new tab)
- Design Thinking Certificate (opens in new tab)
- Game Design Minor (opens in new tab)
- Graphic Design Minor (opens in new tab)
- Interaction Design Certificate (opens in new tab)
- Interaction Design Minor (opens in new tab)
- Photographic Printmaking Minor (opens in new tab)
- Sculpture Minor (opens in new tab)
Free Tuition with the Go Blue Guarantee!
UM-Flint students are automatically considered for the Go Blue Guarantee upon admission, a historic program offering free tuition for high-achieving, in-state undergraduates from lower-income households. Learn more about the Go Blue Guarantee to see if you qualify and how affordable a Michigan degree can be.
Explore our Bachelor’s Degrees in Fine Arts & Design
UM-Flint offers three different bachelor’s degree programs.
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Through foundational courses that help you develop technical, problem-solving, and conceptual skills, you’ll expand your expertise in one of four concentrations.
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Media & Design
Prepare for innovative roles in design, entrepreneurship, and technology. After completing foundational courses, you’ll select one of three concentrations.
Bachelor of Science in Art Education
This interdisciplinary program brings together UM-Flint’s Education and Art & Design faculty to prepare you for a successful career in K-12 art education.
Fine Arts & Design Showcase
Caution: Flow and Fracture
Created by students in Rob Carter’s Graphic Design II: Publication & Exhibition Design course, this exhibition explores water systems and roadways, two vital yet often overlooked backbones of society.
Queer Resilience: Art as Liberation
Curated by alum Audrey Banks, this exhibition merged community, student, and faculty artwork to create a welcoming, queer-friendly space at Riverbank Arts. The exhibition culminated with a performance by Detroit-based musician Ahya Simone.
Career Opportunities
Your degree in fine arts or design from UM-Flint will open the door to many career options. Consider these job projections for just a few possibilities from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, along with their 2024 median salaries:
- Art Directors: $111,040
- K-12 Art Educators: $62,310
- Craft and Fine Artists: $56,260
- Graphic Designers: $61,300
- Industrial Designers: $79,450
- Web Developers & Digital Designers: $95,380
- Special Effects Artists & Animators: $99,800
Admission Requirements
Whether you’re a first-year student or a transfer student, we aim to keep the admissions process simple, saving you time and money. We accept applications on a rolling basis; however, we recommend submitting all application materials at least 1 month before you plan to start your first semester. Review our academic calendars to learn more.
When applying to UM-Flint’s Fine Arts, Design & Art Education programs, please submit the following:
- A completed online or paper application
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
- Review UM-Flint’s complete undergraduate admission requirements.
Have questions about our admissions requirements or application process? Please contact our Office of Undergraduate Admissions at admissions.flint@umich.edu for more detailed information.
Academic Advisors
Advisor for Fine Arts & Design Majors
Scholarships for Fine Arts & Design students
UM-Flint offers two scholarships specifically for art and design students. They include:
- Ralph M. and Emmalyn E. Freeman Art Scholarship
- Dr. Sarah Jordan Lippert Memorial Scholarship
Our Office of Financial Aid also offers a variety of other scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study opportunities. They’re all part of our effort to make your world-class University of Michigan-Flint education affordable.