The minor in art requires a minimum of 18 semester hours in art courses, including at least 15 semester hours in courses taken at the University of Iowa. Students must maintain a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.00 in the minor. Course work in the minor may not be taken pass/nonpass. Courses in art education, bookbinding, calligraphy, graphic design, and papermaking do not count toward the minor in art.

The minor must include ARTS:1510 Basic Drawing (or received an equivalency for this class), ARTS:1520 Design Fundamentals (or received an equivalency for this class) and at least one introductory 2D course and one introductory 3D course.

For the remaining coursework, students may either explore additional disciplines through introductory level courses or take upper level courses in the disciplines in which they have completed the introductory course. Students may use one art history course for the studio art minor. Before registering for a course, students must satisfy all prerequisites for the course.

Students completing a BA in Art History with a Minor in Art may use Basic Drawing to satisfy the requirement for the Art History major and the minor.

Except for Basic Drawing, other studio art course work and credit hours applied toward the minor in art may not be used to satisfy requirements for the major in art history.

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Required coursework

All of the following courses must be completed
  • ARTS:1510, Basic Drawing, 3 semester hours
  • ARTS:1520, Design Fundamentals, 3 semester hours

At least one introductory studio art 2D course
  • DRAW:2310, Life Drawing I, 3 semester hours
  • PHTO:2600, Photography I, 3 semester hours
  • PNTG:2410, Painting I, 3 semester hours
  • PRNT:2610, Introduction to Printmaking, 3 semester hours

At least one introductory studio art 3D course
  • CERM:2010, Ceramics I: Handbuilding, 3 semester hours
  • INTM:2710, Introduction to Intermedia, 3 semester hours
  • MTLS:2910, Introduction to Jewelry and Metal Arts, 3 semester hours
  • TDSN:2210, Introduction to 3D Design, 3 semester hours
  • SCLP:2810, Undergraduate Sculpture I, 3 semester hours

Additional courses

Additional introductory studio art courses or upper-level courses in the same studio art discipline(s) as the introductory 3D and/or 2D courses required for the minor:

  • DRAW:2310, Life Drawing I, 3 semester hours
  • PHTO:2600, Photography I, 3 semester hours
  • PNTG:2410, Painting I, 3 semester hours
  • PRNT:2610, Introduction to Printmaking, 3 semester hours
  • CERM:2010, Ceramics I: Handbuilding, 3 semester hours
  • INTM:2710, Introduction to Intermedia, 3 semester hours
  • MTLS:2910, Introduction to Jewelry and Metal Arts, 3 semester hours
  • TDSN:2210, Introduction to 3D Design, 3 semester hours
  • SCLP:2810, Undergraduate Sculpture I, 3 semester hours

May select one art history course
  • ARTH:1040, Arts of Africa, 3 semester hours
  • ARTH:1050, From Cave Paintings to Cathedrals: Survey of Western Art I, 3 semester hours
  • ARTH:1060, From Mona Lisa to Modernism: Survey of Western Art II, 3 semester hours
  • ARTH:1070, Asian Art and Culture, 3 semester hours
  • ARTH:1095, Native American Art, 3 semester hours
  • Or a course numbered ARTH:2000 or above

Important notes for the Minor in Art

  • Elements courses are for non-majors and minors. If taken prior to declaring the art minor, students may use one Elements of Sculpture, Metals, or Printmaking toward the intro level requirement
  • One art history class can be used in lieu of one of the elective studio art classes
  • Graphic design courses may NOT be used for the minor
  • only one course taken outside of Iowa can be used for the minor
  • Art history majors may NOT share hours or courses with the art minor, with the exception of drawing. See your advisor for planning
    • Art history 39 semester hours + studio art minor 15 semester hours = 54 semester hours of art and 56 semester hours of non-art courses

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