The curriculum presents the study of art in a philosophical and historical context and emphasizes the studio experience in which students learn through the exploration of various media. Artistic training at Rockford College is a revelation of personal insight through its capacity to bring intuitive knowledge to a surface level. Because art draws its vitality from the culture that spawns it, it is significant that it is taught at Rockford College in a liberal arts context. The art program balances the diversity of studio experience with intensive study in an area of concentration. These facets are built on a foundation of perceptual training, critical thinking, and a thorough understanding of the history of visual ideas.
Classes average fifteen students.
Rockford College's size and commitment to individualized education mean students have ample opportunity to work closely with faculty artists who help them deepen their impressions and sharpen their expression of the world around them. For students of art or art history, one of the greatest assets of Rockford College is location. Rockford places a variety of cultural and artistic institutions and events, from galleries to festivals, within easy reach. The Rockford Art Museum is strong on nineteenth and twentieth century regional art. Chicago, with its Art Institute, Museum of Contemporary Art, Terra Museum, and many excellent galleries, is 90 minutes from campus.