The American Academy of Art in Chicago offers programs in fine and commercial art. The school emphasizes skills such as drawing, color and design as a foundation for students to find careers in the arts. The academy offers bachelor's of fine arts degree programs in the areas of photography, life drawing, illustration, digital illustration, watercolor painting, oil painting, 3-D modeling and animation, design and multimedia web design.
The School of the Art Institute of Chicago was founded in 1886 as the Chicago Academy of Design. The school provides undergraduate, post-baccalaureate and graduate degrees in a variety of art-related disciplines, including ceramics, architecture, art history, art education, historic preservation, fashion design, photography, painting and drawing, sculpture and writing.
The College of Fine Arts at Illinois State University includes courses in art, music, theater, dance and arts technology. The school offers a variety of bachelor's and master's degree programs in areas such as graphic design, studio arts, art history and art education. The school, located in the city of Normal, is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.
This Northern Illinois University School of Art, located in DeKalb, offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in the arts. The school offers programs in art education, art history, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, museum studies, visual communication and printmaking. The school is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.