Department of Art, Art History, and Design
Location: Building 45, Room 2022 in the Fine Arts Center
Phone: (904) 620-4037
Web Address: www.unf.edu/coas/art-art-art-history-design
Jenny K. Hager, MFA
The Department of Art, Art History, and Design prepares students for careers as artists, designers, educators, and scholars. Through a dynamic curriculum spanning Art History, Fine Arts, and Graphic Design, students develop critical thinking, creative practice, and professional skills. The department also provides service courses across the university and contributes to the cultural and intellectual life of Northeast Florida through exhibitions, lectures, workshops, and study abroad opportunities.
Our comprehensive curriculum fosters artistic and scholarly development while preparing graduates to enter the professional workforce or pursue advanced study. Areas of concentration include Art History, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Studio and design programs emphasize hands-on learning, interdisciplinary exploration, and opportunities for exhibition and public presentation.
Located in Jacksonville—a city with a growing and vibrant arts community—students benefit from access to museums, galleries, and professional networks. The department maintains strong partnerships with MOCA Jacksonville and Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, where faculty and students actively engage through exhibitions, lectures, and collaborative projects.
The department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), reflecting excellence in faculty, curriculum, and institutional support.
Majors and Minors
The department offers three degree programs:
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Art History
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with concentrations in Ceramics, Painting and Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture
- Limited Access Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Graphic Design
Study Abroad
The department offers a range of faculty-led study abroad programs that provide students with opportunities to engage directly with art, architecture, and cultural histories in an international context while earning credit in both Art History and studio disciplines. Recent and recurring program locations include Italy, Portugal, Brazil, England, Germany, Wales, and Ireland.
Programs vary by year and include both major cultural centers and smaller regional destinations that offer diverse artistic and cultural perspectives.
Competitive scholarships are available to help support study abroad participation.
Opportunities for Student Exhibitions and Internships
Students gain professional experience through internships with organizations such as MOCA Jacksonville, the Museum of Science and History, and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens.
Students may also engage in community-based initiatives such as Art with a Heart in Healthcare at Wolfson Children's Hospital, where they contribute to arts programming that supports patient well-being and community engagement.
In addition, students have opportunities to gain hands-on curatorial and gallery management experience through internships within the department’s own exhibition spaces, including the 成人AV视频 Gallery at MOCA Jacksonville, the 成人AV视频 Gallery on campus, and the Lufrano Intercultural Gallery in the Student Union.
Additional internship opportunities are available with design firms, photography studios, galleries, the Cultural Council of Greater Jacksonville, and healthcare organizations supporting arts-based initiatives.
From Passion to Profession
The Department of Art, Art History, and Design is committed to helping students translate their creative passions into sustainable and meaningful careers. Through coursework, internships, exhibitions, and mentorship, students gain the skills and confidence needed to navigate the evolving arts landscape.
A key component of this effort is the department’s Professional Development Series, Talks with Tacos, which brings alumni and industry professionals to campus to share insights on career pathways in the arts, design, and related fields. These informal, conversational events provide opportunities for students to build networks, explore diverse career trajectories, and engage directly with working professionals.
Student Organizations
Students can engage with a range of discipline-specific organizations, including the Sculptors' Guild, Pottery Guild, Photo Club, Print Guild, Painting Guild, and Osprey Design Club.