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ART

Art Department

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The department at a glance

All recorded grades
average GPA
A / AB grades
letter grades

How grades break down

Grades over time

Red: department · Gray: UW–Madison

About these statistics

GPA and percentages are weighted by recorded letter grades. UW comparisons use the same terms. Cross-listed courses count once within this department and once across UW; department totals should not be added together. Grade counts are not unique students. Offering counts reflect captured records, not a complete historical schedule.

Fall 2026

Recorded this term
courses with offerings
instructors recorded

Grades have not been recorded for this term. Historical results remain in the overview above.

Find your next class

83 courses

Historical grades cover up to five years through the selected term. Grade sorting prioritizes courses with at least 100 letter grades.

ART 100 introduces art through historical, theoretical, and critical perspectives to develop visual literacy and understanding of creative processes.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Fikriye Ozmeral, Jeff Chelf, Kaylyn Gerenz, Kyle Herrera, Matthew Mauk: Workload varies by instructor, ranging from low-effort creative projects and short writings to closed-book quizzes and extensive writing assignments with slow grading.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

Teaches 2D design principles, image creation, and graphic arrangement using analog and digital skills.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Annmarie Suglio, Cullen Houser: Workload involves making art with anticipated hours, and attendance is mandatory. Grading is straightforward for projects, but deadlines require advance notice.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

ART 104 3D Foundations teaches hands-on problem solving and foundational skills for creating 3D objects in various media.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

The course features fun projects and demonstrations, with small class sizes allowing for personal insight sharing.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

ART 107 introduces digital media techniques including imaging, graphics, web design, and 3D modeling with an emphasis on creative development.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Students must familiarize themselves with Adobe programs and SketchUp before class, as lectures often skip basics. The workload involves difficult platforms and significant outside tutorial reading, which some find overwhelming.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

Foundations of contemporary art exploring principal ideas of influential movements and artistic concerns.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Workload varies significantly; some students report minimal effort is needed beyond attendance and note-taking, while others find the reading assignments heavy and difficult to interpret. Exams are described as straightforward because the professor explicitly outlines exam content during lectures, not because of the study guides.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2025

ART 112 is an introductory drawing course for non-art majors covering core elements like line, shape, and composition.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Claire Stigliani, Gabe Strader-Brown, Jordan Adams, Matthew Mauk: Workload expectations vary significantly; some instructors demand heavy effort and assign busy work, while others offer reasonable assignments that students can complete within class time.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

ART 176 introduces digital photography tools, techniques, and concepts for non-art majors, covering the workflow from capture to publication.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of FATEMEH FANI: Students report unclear due dates, assignments missing from the syllabus, and strict penalties for lateness, creating a stressful workload management experience.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

ART 212 teaches exploratory drawing methods and applications within Modern and Contemporary Art contexts.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Matthew Mauk: Reviewers indicate that consistent effort and attendance are required to succeed, with workloads described as manageable for those willing to engage with the material.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

SCULPTURE I introduces basic sculpture techniques and surveys studio practices.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

Introduction to painting technical processes and studio practice through lectures and critiques.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

The course offers revisions for extra points and extra credit opportunities.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

CERAMICS I introduces the properties of clay and fundamental forming techniques with an emphasis on individual form concepts.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Gerit Grimm: The course is time-consuming, requiring significant studio work outside of class. Reviewers note that the craft involves innate time commitments, and students should be prepared to spend considerable effort on projects to succeed.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

Teaches drawing from models focusing on anatomical structure and technical control in various media.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews for Frederick Stonehouse describe him as friendly with a good eye for quality work, though he provides limited feedback unless students actively seek it out.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sample

ART 236 is a BASCOM COURSE that develops skills in critical reading, logical thinking, and writing in specific field conventions.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2025–Fall 2025 · limited sample

ART 242 teaches watercolor and mixed media painting on paper, emphasizing drawing, composition, and imagination.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Frederick Stonehouse is a great professor who provides helpful feedback and shares real-world art industry experience.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026
ART 244

Art Metal I

3–4 credits

ART METAL I introduces basic jewelry techniques and metal fabrication including piercing, soldering, and forming.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Lisa Gralnick, Lucas Pointon: Reviewers consistently report high workload, requiring significant time outside class to complete projects, with some noting the demand is intense enough to conflict with jobs.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026
ART 302

Color

4 credits

ART 302 explores color phenomena and visual perception in art, covering design theory, philosophy, and history.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Derrick Buisch: Reviewers report minimal outside work and loose project guidelines, though one notes strict time management requirements for the 8:50 AM class.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

ART 306 teaches relief printmaking techniques such as woodcut and linoleum cut through studio practice and critiques.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Students report that completing projects and demonstrating care for learning leads to high grades.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

An introduction to making comics as a subject and means of academic inquiry.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

A historical review describes Lynda Barry as an incredible and caring instructor who inspires students and helps them delve into art.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

Explores conceptual drawing in various media with an emphasis on conceptual and formal solutions.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Jack Damer: The course involves inexplicable assignments and gray areas that may be difficult for students who prefer clear instructions.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sample

Continues sculpture studio practices with an emphasis on developing concepts and technique.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample

Teaches direct stone drawing, transfer techniques, and color processes through studio practice and critique.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Jack Damer: The course is difficult, with delayed grading and a demanding, individualized, hands-on approach that requires significant personal initiative and after-hours engagement.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sample

An introduction to video, performance, and installation art forms.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

The course is rated as very easy, though the instructor pushes students to excel in projects beyond just earning grades.

historical GPA · grades

Fall 2022–Fall 2025 · limited sample

Intermediate Painting I develops technical processes and historical continuity through the study and application of oils, acrylics, and collage.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sample

Is an advanced course focusing on individual form concepts and diverse firing techniques.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Gerit Grimm: Reviewers note that success requires genuine interest and significant effort.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sample

Introduction to intaglio printmaking techniques with studio problems in platemaking and printing.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026 · limited sample

ART 332 Life Drawing II investigates anatomical structure and intrinsic forms in drawing from models, developing concepts and technique.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Jane Hutchison: The course is reported as an easy A with low difficulty.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2023 · limited sample

Explores wood as a medium for constructing creative and functional three-dimensional forms.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026
ART 336

Serigraphy

3–4 credits

Teaches materials and techniques of the silk screen process and its application as a fine art form.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Work involves long but clear demonstrations and independent project time, requiring outside class visits for productive students.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

Service Learning in Art explores community-based practices and involves working with a community partner on an art-related project.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

Historical reviews of Gail Simpson: The class involves sitting for two hours with a break, which some students find lengthy.

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2026

ART 342 is Watercolor II, focusing on continued investigations in watercolor and mixed media on paper to develop concepts and technical skills.

Offering recorded · Fall 2026

historical GPA · grades

Spring 2022–Spring 2022 · limited sample

Across course levels

Recorded this term

No released grades for this term.

Recorded offerings over time

Offering snapshots currently cover Fall 2026. Earlier grade records do not provide a complete offering history.