Kentucky School of Art, a brand new school of fine art in Louisville, completed the first phase of a feasibility study at the end of 2009. The range of classes offered by KSA are non-credit and community-based continuing education, not yet accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The School became affiliated with the fully accredited Spalding University in 2010. KSA was started by Churchill Davenport, a native of Louisville who taught painting and drawing at the Pratt Institute in New York for 10 years.
The Hite Art Institute at the University of Louisville was established in 1946 and currently employs 23 full-time faculty members and 10 part-time. Areas of study available to fine arts students include painting, curatorial and critical studies, art education, sculpture, ceramics, photography, drawing, interior design, fiber, printmaking, glass, art history and graphic design. Students can earn a bachelor's, Bachelor of Fine Arts, master's, Master of Arts in teaching or doctorate in a variety of disciplines.
The College of Fine Arts includes Department of Art, School of Music, Department of Theater and an Arts Administration program. The Department of Art employs 24 full-time faculty who teach classes in the three degree programs: Art History, Art Education and Art Studio. Studio Art specializations include printmaking, drawing, sculpture, fiber, ceramics, photography, new media and painting. The Department offers the only Master of Fine Arts degree in Studio Art in Kentucky.
Transylvania College, known as "Transy," was established in 1780 as the first college west of the Allegheny Mountains. The Division of Fine Arts houses programs in visual arts, music and drama. Students in the art program investigate both global and personal issues in their studio work and to evaluate these ideas in art history classes. The philosophy of the program expresses the belief that the best art derives from both aesthetic concerns and broad social issues.
Georgetown College's visual arts major offers students a broad understanding of art history, skills in traditional and digital media, and a choice of specialization. The final thesis course includes a gallery exhibition. Students take up to 42 credit hours in art to build their portfolios for this event. Courses include photography, computer graphics, sculpture, art history, introductory and advanced classes in art education, printmaking, drawing, graphic design and painting. Certification in art education for kindergarten through 12th grade is also available.
The University of Kentucky's College of Design includes the School of Architecture, School of Interior Design and Department of Historic Preservation. The College offers a four-year Bachelor of Arts in Architecture as well as a Master's in Architecture, which prepares students for registration as architects. The Interior Design Program offers bachelor's and master's degrees that are fully accredited by the Council for Interior Design Accreditation. Historic Preservation is a graduate program only.