If you’re passionate about art, you might already know that you want to pursue it in college, and maybe even turn your creativity into a career. With so many different art degree programs available, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Each discipline has its own focus and tools: some emphasize technology and design, while others center on traditional fine arts and storytelling.
Villa’s integrated arts program offers a broader, more flexible pathway into art. It’s designed for students who love to explore multiple creative outlets and want to develop a unique artistic identity. Rather than specializing in one area, integrated arts encourages students to experiment and dabble in everything from painting to photography to animation.
“Villa is the most welcoming and non-judgmental college I’ve ever been to,” shared Mike Taheri, a retired lawyer and former law professor who takes integrated arts classes on campus. “The faculty takes the time to learn every student’s name in class and spends an unlimited time with students answering questions. There’s just an abundance of compassion and respect here,” he said.
What Is Integrated Arts?
At Villa, integrated arts is a four-year program that brings together multiple art disciplines into one cohesive educational experience. It’s perfect for creative thinkers who don’t want to limit themselves to a single medium or style.
Students in this program learn to blend, experiment, and create across different forms of art, including drawing, painting, photography, design, digital media, filmmaking, and animation. Ultimately, the goal is to help students become more well-rounded and adaptable artists who can think beyond traditional boundaries.
While building technical skills, students also learn to approach creative challenges with flexibility and originality; those skills are valuable in every artistic field, from studio work to creative industries.
Mike says that sense of openness and curiosity is critical for students to latch onto as they pursue their degree. “I always say you have to be comfortable being uncomfortable to learn new things and go forward. Villa encourages that. The best thing students can do is be open, curious, present, and willing to try something new every day,” he says.
How Integrated Arts Differs from Other Art Programs
While many art programs focus on a single discipline, integrated arts gives students the freedom to explore multiple fields. Instead of specializing in just one area, you can experiment with combining techniques from painting, photography, design, animation, and more. This cross-disciplinary approach encourages creative risk-taking and innovation, helping you develop a versatile skill set and a unique artistic voice.
“What’s remarkable,” Mike added, “is that the students have also become my teachers. I’ve learned just as much from them as I’ve learned from faculty. As the most senior student on campus, I come with my own set of baggage,” he jokes. “But the kids are fun, and getting to work together with them on projects has taught me quite a few things.”
What You’ll Learn Over Four Years
The Integrated Arts program is structured to help you grow creatively and professionally, year by year. You’ll start by building a strong artistic foundation, then explore different disciplines, refine your focus, and complete a capstone project that showcases your unique artistic identity.
Year One
The first year focuses on developing core artistic skills and understanding the fundamentals of art and design. Courses like two-dimensional design, drawing, and art history introduce visual literacy, composition, and creative problem-solving. This is the year to get your feet wet, explore new techniques, and start building confidence as an artist.
Year Two
The second year is all about branching out into a wider range of disciplines through art electives. You’ll continue to explore different mediums while also taking courses that build your professional foundation, such as marketing, advertising, and information and media literacy. This combination encourages creative experimentation while helping you understand how art connects with the world around you. By the end of this year, you’ll start identifying what inspires you most and how different art forms can work together in your creative process.
Year Three
The third year is where students dive deeper into chosen areas of interest. You’ll take advanced studio courses and learn how to combine multiple disciplines in meaningful ways. This stage emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking and collaboration, encouraging you to find innovative ways to bring your ideas to life. You’ll also begin preparing your professional portfolio, gaining skills that translate directly to internships and creative careers.
Year Four
The final year brings everything together, combining creative growth with professional preparation. You’ll complete a senior pre-thesis and thesis project that showcases your artistic identity and technical skill. Alongside your studio work, courses in marketing, advertising, and media literacy provide the tools to promote your work, collaborate with clients, and navigate the creative world. You’ll also complete an internship, gaining hands-on experience and professional insight before graduation.
Villa’s Catalyst Visiting Artists Series
Villa’s commitment to creative growth extends beyond the classroom. Thanks to the generosity of Mike and his wife, Josette, the Catalyst Visiting Artist Series brings world-renowned contemporary artists to campus for talks, workshops, and portfolio reviews with students.
“It started because I noticed there weren’t many opportunities for students to interact directly with working artists,” Mike explained. “So, with permission from the president and faculty, I reached out to a list of artists myself and invited them to come in, meet with students, and share what it means to be a working artist,” he said.
The Catalyst series gives Villa students rare access to high-caliber artists in an intimate setting.
“Students get to hear how these artists make a living, participate with the artists in a workshop, and receive one-on-one feedback on their portfolios. That’s not something that happens in most art programs in the country,” Mike said. “The students are thrilled to be a part of it, and many want to know what they can do to help. I always tell them to bring in their peers, fill those seats,” he said.
Why Apply to Villa’s Integrated Arts Program?
Villa provides a supportive, close-knit community where faculty mentors guide students as they explore their artistic interests and develop a unique creative voice. With access to professional-grade studios for fine art, photography, animation, design, and fashion, students can experiment across mediums and push their creativity further. At Villa, you have the resources, guidance, and freedom to grow as a versatile and innovative artist. Reach out today to learn more or to apply!
