Art & Environmental Justice
Ayla Boylen uses her art and partnership with the Bernie Sanders Campaign to push for Cedar Rapids to declare a climate crisis and work on a Green New Deal.
Ignite your passion
Students effectively and creatively articulate who they are while understanding of the importance of visual culture.
Built with practicality in mind, art & design students gain an understanding of the importance of visual culture in human expression. Students are taught to be thoughtful in their work, first considering ideas then considering choices for expressing those ideas. With practice in competently applied design principles, students graduate with the understanding of what constitutes well-crafted art.
Beautiful ceramics sculpture by an MMU student
Detailed drawing work developed while at Mount Mercy
Intricate graphic design work
Example of a student's life-like painting skills
Unique perspective of a printmaking design
Expressing a deeper meaning through sculpture work
Curriculum
Students who minor in art & design at MMU take foundational art/design and art history courses, along with four classes based on their interests. Often, students choose to concentrate on fine arts or graphic design. Class options include:
- Art Environments
- Art History
- Graphic Design
- Photography
- Printmaking
- Typography & Design
- Video on the Computer
- Web and Motion Graphics
Mount Mercy allowed me to hone in on my aesthetic, and I think I especially found that during my senior thesis.
Randah Espy O'Doherty '15
Graphic Design, Fine Arts
Randah Espy O’Doherty was able to use her time at MMU to hone her craft and network with others.
What are the next steps?
Mount Mercy offers competitive tuition and generous scholarships.
We also encourage all students to apply for federal, state, and other kinds of financial assistance.
Learn more about:
- Federal and state grants and loans
- MMU-offered scholarships
- Tuition reimbursement from employers
- 10% tuition discount for employees of partner organizations
- Veterans benefits such as the Yellow Ribbon program and G.I. Bill®
We make it easy by accepting applications year-round! No deadline, no fee, no pressure.
- Create your application
- Apply under standard admissions criteria or go "test optional"
- Request official transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Mail to:
* Mount Mercy University Admissions
1330 Elmhurst Drive NE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402
* If you are applying for an accelerated program, please mail to "Accelerated Programs"
For more detailed instructions on how to apply, see our Admissions page.
Careers in art & design
Networking makes a difference.
Art and design students often go on to become museum arts administrators and staff in various non-profit arts institutions, art consultants, or for further training in graduate school for careers as art therapists and art professors. Mount Mercy graduates have worked for organizations like the Herbert Hoover Museum or Groundswell using their training as an art major to advance their natural talents.