Careers in art education include elementary, middle and high school art teachers, as well as arts administrators, museum educators and college faculty who prepare future art educators. At Winthrop University, art education students earn a Bachelor of Arts in Art degree and through the College of Education at Winthrop receive teaching certification for grades K-12. They then become certified to teach art at the kindergarten through twelfth grade levels.

Graduates of the art education program at Winthrop have found success teaching art in public and private schools, working in museums, or in arts organizations throughout the state and region. Others continue on to graduate studies to become arts administrators, professional artists, art therapists or teachers in higher education.

Art education students take a wide range of courses to help them develop as artist / teachers and reflective practitioners who are concerned with students' comprehensive, creative development, and are prepared to meet the challenges of teaching art in today’s schools. As with the majority of Fine Art students, this preparation begins with two semesters of foundation level classes in drawing, two- and three-dimensional design, as well as art history. Art education students then broaden their range of skills and knowledge by taking a selection of introductory level studio classes to include: painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, sculpture, jewelry-metals, and digital media. Building upon these classes, students next take upper level art electives to deepen their expertise in a particular medium. In addition, students take upper division art history classes that address modern/contemporary art, art criticism, and non-western art, providing them with an understanding of the broad range of world art, and enabling them to work with students from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Complementing studio and art history courses, students also take courses in general education in the sciences, modern languages, etc., as well as art education and education courses that address the theory and practice of teaching. This thorough and intense program of study concludes in the senior year when students complete two levels of internship, leading to K-12 certification.

As part of their course work, art education majors prepare themselves professionally by working with art teachers and their students in local schools. This begins with the first education and art education classes and continues through the internship. They also take part in local and regional community service, and work with area cultural organizations. Additional professional preparation occurs as students participate as members or officers in the National Art Education Association Winthrop Student Chapter. This involves future artist/teachers in service and educational activities while developing leadership skills essential to the field of art education.

The art education faculty at Winthrop University are professionally involved in teaching, making and exhibiting art, research, presentations, publications, and workshops, as well as community and cultural service. They are also active members of such organizations as the South Carolina Art Education Association, the National Art Education Association, and the International Society for Education Through Art.

Contact Information

Dr. Seymour Simmons                                                                                                                 
244 McLaurin Hall                                                                                                                      
Winthrop University                                                                                                                          
Rock Hill, SC  29733, USA
Phone: (803) 323-2670
E-mail: simmonss@winthrop.edu

Dr. Laura Gardner                                                                                                                             
248 McLaurin Hall                                                                                                                      
Winthrop University                                                                                                                           
Rock Hill, SC  29733, USA
Phone: (803) 323-2654
E-mail: gardnerl@winthrop.edu