Our Mission: Mentoring Artists

Welcome! We invite you to learn more about the educational opportunities that we offer here at Viterbo University. As a leader in the region for visual arts we offer degrees in traditional studio art, graphic design, new media and art education. Our programs prepare students for a wide range of professions in the arts. We are big enough to offer diversity in programs, yet small enough to give personal attention. Every art major enters our first year foundations program, which emphasizes art and design principles, technical skill building, and an historical perspective of art. The foundations art experience prepares our majors for the rigorous specific courses that follow.

Viterbo students benefit by smaller class sizes and dedicated art faculty who are committed to our central department mission to mentor each artist. Art majors are together in classes and students benefit by working alongside other gifted and talented artists. Our majors learn traditional and digital media and they graduate from Viterbo with strong skills, diverse strengths, and a sense of purpose. Proudly we can say that our graduates are in demand; they go on to graduate school or work in their field.

Students in our art programs have opportunities to exhibit and publish their work in our galleries, in the All Student Show Catalog, and in community settings. We believe that it is important for artists to be strong community participants and to gain experience both in and out of the studio before graduation. Our majors are mentored toward servant leadership with experiences in the community and beyond. Apprenticeships, internships, practicum experiences, community arts advocacy, and study abroad opportunities are available to all majors and are required in some degree programs.

In case you didn’t know, we are located in one of the most beautiful places in the Midwest; La Crosse, Wis. We invite you to visit our campus and tour our facilities in the Fine Arts Center.