An outside view of the Okerstrom Fine Arts building, which houses NMC's Art program

Fine Arts

NMC Fine Arts program students conduct a photo shoot

An NMC Fine Arts program student in the studio

An NMC Fine Arts program student painting

The NMC Art Department is located in the historic and architecturally significant Shirley S. Okerstrom Fine Arts Building located within walking distance of the Dennos Museum Center, northern Michigan's premier art museum.

Offering classes in both locations, our Studio Art and Art Appreciation courses are some of the most unique nationwide. Many of our instructors have been recognized locally and nationally for their work as practicing artists and their students have gone on to become distinguished artists, business people and teachers.

Concentration Areas

 At NMC, you can

  • Build a portfolio that will take you to the next level
  • Work toward a successful transfer or career with help from instructors who are also professional artists
  • Take advantage of art-specific scholarships, available to incoming or current NMC students
  • Participate in the Annual Studio Art Exhibition at the Dennos Museum Center
  • Choose from many classes including: Drawing, Life Drawing, Pottery, Painting, Watercolor, Printmaking, Art History, Art Appreciation, Digital Photography, Sculpture, and 2D and 3D Design.

 

Explore Careers Related To This Program

 

Course Descriptions

Program Description

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Tuition and Fees

General Academic Programs

Residency Status

Tuition Rate

In-District ( Grand Traverse County residents) Tuition

$122.00 per contact hour

In-State ( other Michigan counties) Tuition

$261.00 per contact hour

Out-of-state Tuition

$340.00 per contact hour

International Tuition

$383.00 per contact hour

General Fee for all residencies:

Other fee of $33.00 per contact hour is a general fee covering a portion of costs for technology, orientation, placement, career testing, Student Government Association, and other student service activities.

$33.00 per contact hour

Cost of Attendance

General Academic Programs Annual (Fall/Spring) Cost

Costs

In-District

In-State

Out-of-State

International

Tuition and Fees

$5,350

$10,076

$12,762

$14,224

Books, Course Materials, Supplies and Equipment

$835

$835

$835

$835

Living Expenses: On-Campus Housing and Food

$10,200

$10,200

$10,200

$10,200

Transportation

$1,000

$1,900

$3,000

$3,000

Miscellaneous Personal Expenses

$500

$500

$500

$500

Federal Student Loan Fees

$120

$120

$120

$120

$18,005

$23,631

$27,417

$28,879

Note: For more information on how COA component estimates are calculated, see the bottom of the Tuition and Fees page.

Enrolled students can find their own calculated Cost of Attendance in NMC Self-Service under Financial Aid. Others can use the Net Price Calculator to estimate the total annual cost of attending NMC based on their program and enrollment plans, along with financial aid eligibility.

Art-specific Scholarships:

  • Daniel R. Olson Memorial Art Scholarship for outstanding pottery student, available to incoming or current NMC students
  • Paul Welch Art Department Scholarship, available to incoming or current NMC students
  • Patricia Prout Scholarship, available to photography students entering their second year at NMC

In The News: Art Department Says Goodbye To A Former Faculty Member

Steve Ballance artworkOn October 21, 2020, the NMC Art Department lost former faculty member Steve Ballance. Steve contributed his talents to the art department for many years. He first joined the Northwestern Michigan College faculty in 1971 as a part-time instructor of photography. Then from 1981 through 2000 he taught Photography and Art Appreciation and served as the Head of the Art Department from 1986–2000. He also served as Head of the Physical Education Department(1981–1986) and taught sailing to students at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. His affiliation with the College continued until 2015. His artwork is owned by numerous private collectors. He considers his work with his students as his most important accomplishment. Learn more here.