{"id":71645,"date":"2026-02-19T11:39:11","date_gmt":"2026-02-19T16:39:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/?page_id=71645"},"modified":"2026-02-19T11:43:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-19T16:43:42","slug":"your-creative-launchpad","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/welcome-to-the-department-of-art-art-history\/your-creative-launchpad\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Creative Launchpad"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s always a good time to begin preparing for your professional journey, and the Department of Art &amp; Art History is highly invested in your success. Throughout your coursework, you&#8217;ll engage in career preparation that\u2019s built directly into the curriculum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With an art, graphic design, or art history degree, you\u2019ll build valuable career skills that can open doors to many professions. What can you achieve with a degree from the Department of Art &amp; Art History? Anything you put your mind to!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-white-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-white-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Creative Professional&#8217;s Toolkit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Art, Graphic Design, and Art History curriculums are built to help you develop the most sought-after <a href=\"https:\/\/career.charlotte.edu\/careerskills\">career skills<\/a> in the professional world. Get ready to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Communicate with Confidence:<\/strong> Refine your creative vision and scholarship, presenting your work to diverse audiences through classroom and conference presentations, studio critiques, and research writing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Collaborate and Connect:<\/strong> Build valuable teamwork and leadership skills with your peers, through experiences such as team projects, community murals, BFA exhibitions, and curatorial projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Become a Critical Thinker:<\/strong> Master the ability to analyze the ideas and materials that create the visual world, learning to critique your own work, the work of others, and the historical foundations they spring from. These skills support research projects, studio and design critiques, and rigorous classroom inquiry.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Build Your Professional Brand:<\/strong> Create a strong research, art, or design portfolio, craft a resume and CV, and develop the entrepreneurial skills needed to thrive, attract clients, enter the K-12 classroom, or continue your academic studies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Master Technology:<\/strong> Fuse traditional mediums with cutting-edge digital tools to become an innovative and adaptable creator.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Engage Across Perspectives:<\/strong> Learn to collaborate and communicate with different groups, preparing you to be an empathetic and culturally competent leader.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-white-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-white-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take Your Education Beyond the Classroom\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Department of Art &amp; Art History provides abundant opportunities to gain hands-on real-world experience, build your network, and prepare for your professional life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/career.charlotte.edu\/experiential-learning\"><strong>Experiential Learning<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> See real-world data on the hands-on opportunities students have, from internships to community projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/art-art-history\/internship-opportunities\/\"><strong>Internships<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> Gain real-world experience through internships on campus and in Charlotte with corporate, community, and agency partners.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Professional Practice:<\/strong> Exhibit your work in on- and off-campus shows, or even work as a professional artist assistant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Global Learning:<\/strong> Immerse yourself in the art and design world with <a href=\"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/art-art-history\/study-abroad\/\">international study abroad programs<\/a> or the popular <a href=\"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/college\/explore-nyc-college-field-study\/\">CoAA NYC Spring Break<\/a> trip.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Industry Connections:<\/strong> Build your network through gallery and museum visits, meet with visiting artists and designers, and attend talks by professionals in your field.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Community Engagement: <\/strong>Connect with the community by working on projects like public murals, designing materials for local non-profits, or taking a class with a McColl Center Artist in Residence<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conferences<\/strong>: Participate in the annual presentation of student research with the Society of Art Historians or with the <a href=\"https:\/\/our.charlotte.edu\/programs\/urc\/\">Undergraduate Research Conference<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Student Leadership:<\/strong> Get involved with <a href=\"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/art-art-history\/student-resources\/\">student clubs<\/a>, peer-to-peer mentoring, and undergraduate research.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Skill-Building Workshops:<\/strong> Attend workshops at renowned art and craft schools like <a href=\"https:\/\/penland.org\">Penland<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/arrowmont.org\">Arrowmont<\/a> with the support of <a href=\"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/art-art-history\/scholarships\/\">scholarships<\/a>, or with local design organizations like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.aaf.org\">AAF<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/charlotte.aiga.org\/category\/partnership-spotlight\/\">AIGA<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Student Teaching: <\/strong>Gain hands-on classroom experience as you prepare for a career as a K-12 art educator.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-white-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-white-background-color has-background is-style-dots\" style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Charting Your Course<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take advantage of the extensive resources available within the Department of Art &amp; Art History and the <a href=\"https:\/\/career.charlotte.edu\">Career Center<\/a> at UNC Charlotte.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Department Resources:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Find Art &amp; Art History specific <a href=\"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/art-art-history\/internship-opportunities\/\"><strong>internships<\/strong><strong> <\/strong><\/a>and<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/art-art-history\/study-abroad\/\"><strong>study abroad opportunities<\/strong><\/a> to gain hands-on experience.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Participate in <a href=\"https:\/\/catalog.charlotte.edu\/preview_program.php?catoid=40&amp;poid=11619&amp;returnto=5002\"><strong>Art History Honors<\/strong><\/a> programming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/art-art-history\/scholarships\/\"><strong>Get scholarships<\/strong><\/a> to support your creative and academic goals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Join <a href=\"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/art-art-history\/student-resources\/\"><strong>student clubs<\/strong><\/a> to connect with peers and build your network.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Experience the art and design world firsthand with the <a href=\"https:\/\/cws.charlotte.edu\/backup-coaa\/college\/explore-nyc-college-field-study\/\"><strong>New York Trip<\/strong>.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore <a href=\"https:\/\/nextdestination.charlotte.edu\/\"><strong>career outcomes<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; see what graduates are doing and where they&#8217;re working after graduation\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Career Center Resources:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Get personalized guidance by making a <a href=\"https:\/\/career.charlotte.edu\/career-coaching\"><strong>Career Coaching Appointment<\/strong><\/a> with an expert.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Explore careers in<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/careerdocs.charlotte.edu\/wcidwami\/graphicdesign\"><strong>Graphic Design<\/strong><\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/careerdocs.charlotte.edu\/wcidwami\/art\"><strong>Art<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/careerdocs.charlotte.edu\/wcidwami\/arthistory\"><strong>Art History<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find potential internships and jobs on <a href=\"https:\/\/hireaniner.charlotte.edu\/\"><strong>Hire-A-Niner<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a professional brand with help on <a href=\"https:\/\/career.charlotte.edu\/branding\"><strong>resumes, portfolios, and interview practice<\/strong>.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Attend <a href=\"https:\/\/hireaniner.charlotte.edu\/events\/?category=Fair\"><strong>career fairs<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/career.charlotte.edu\/meetups\"><strong>meet-ups<\/strong><\/a><strong>, <\/strong>and<strong> <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/career.charlotte.edu\/treks\"><strong>treks<\/strong><\/a> to network with professionals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stop by during <a href=\"https:\/\/career.charlotte.edu\/dropins\"><strong>Drop-In Hours<\/strong><\/a> to get quick questions answered.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It\u2019s always a good time to begin preparing for your professional journey, and the Department of Art &amp; Art History is highly invested in your success. Throughout your coursework, you&#8217;ll engage in career preparation that\u2019s built directly into the curriculum. With an art, graphic design, or art history degree, you\u2019ll build valuable career skills that [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":453,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"_clt_a11y_last_scan":"1780429930","_clt_a11y_has_violations":"0","_clt_a11y_violations":"[]","_clt_a11y_suppressions":"","_clt_a11y_needs_validation":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-71645","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Your Creative Launchpad - College of Arts + Architecture<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Your Creative Launchpad - College of Arts + Architecture\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"It\u2019s always a good time to begin preparing for your professional journey, and the Department of Art &amp; Art History is highly invested in your success. 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