Ohio University

Athens, OH

Ohio University

Athens, OH

Create your place in the world

At Ohio University, our students partner with world-class faculty to produce collaborative work with community impact. From ceramics and photography to information design and sculpture, whether in the studio, in the darkroom, or on screen, students get hands-on experience in creative arts and design.

At OHIO, you’ll learn from acclaimed artists and accomplished professionals who teach because sharing their ideas and techniques with talented students inspires them. Our faculty have performed and designed on the world’s greatest stages, exhibited at prestigious museums and galleries, published creative and scholarly research, served as leaders with international arts organizations, and worked for major publications. Their mentorship will help you hone your skills and make connections across creative industries. 

With hundreds of performances, lectures, and exhibitions throughout the year, you’ll also find many opportunities to share your talents with the community. Visiting professionals share their insights and talents to further the atmosphere of continuous collaboration and skill development.

Tucked into the rolling hills of scenic southeastern Ohio, the University has earned a reputation for its rich educational tradition and outstanding academic programs. The idyllic beauty of the region is enhanced by the deep and varied tradition of arts, creating an exciting and culturally rich community. It’s no wonder that Athens was named one of the best small art towns in America. 

We prepare students for lifelong careers as makers, creators, and leaders, delivering a student experience as transformative as art itself.

Emphasizing scholarly and creative research alongside real-world application in the form of internships on campus and around the world, our innovative programs reflect contemporary practices that are responsive to the dynamic field of the visual arts, design, film, and media arts, preparing students for enduring careers.

At Ohio University, you don't just find your place in the world—you create it.

ACCOLADES

 

Ranked among the top 10 national graduate Ceramics and Printmaking programs | U.S. News & World Report

 

Ranked among the top 14 public graduate Fine Arts | U.S. News & World Report

 

92% of Fine Arts alumni reporting that their OHIO education prepared them for success in the 21st century

Visual Arts & Design Programs at OHIO

• Animation
• Art History
• Art Education & Art Therapy
• Commercial Photography
• Filmmaking
• Graphic Design
• Information Design: Interactive
• Information Design: Publication
• Interior Architecture
• Media Arts
• Photojournalism
• Studio Art (ceramics, painting + drawing, printmaking, photography, art therapy, sculpture and digital art + technology)
• Virtual Reality & Game Development
• 4+1 bachelor’s-to-master’s programs in Art Education and Arts Administration

An Inside Look

What students are saying about us...

  • “My work has always been personal, open, and honest, and being here [at the School of Art + Design] has allowed me to do that even more. All the students and the faculty are open and okay with you making work about whatever you want.”

    • Nicole Malcom
      BFA ’20
  • “The School of Visual Communication is a powerhouse that has built me up to where I am today. Blink and you may not see how fast you will grow with their push.”

    • Nate Swanson
      Senior Photojournalism major
  • “When starting a new project, I just go for it. Most people start with research and sketches, but for me, it’s about getting started. In our program, you are encouraged to develop your own process. I believe that unless you’re given complete artistic freedom, you won’t be doing what you love.”

    • Kati Holland
      Studio Art major, BFA ’17