Studio Art Associate Degree

Shape your vision. Craft your future. Make art that matters

At CMC, we believe art transforms lives. Here, you’ll explore your creativity, stretch your imagination, and bring ideas to life in studios buzzing with possibility. Guided by practicing artists, you’ll learn skills that go beyond technique—skills that help you see differently, solve problems creatively, and connect with the world around you.

Why CMC?

• Create, not just study – Spend your days making, experimenting, and discovering in the studio.
• Learn from artists in the field – Faculty are active professionals sharing real-world insight and inspiration.
• A mountain arts community – Aspen, Carbondale, and Steamboat Springs are vibrant hubs for galleries, studios, and creative energy.
• Flexible paths, lasting impact – Whether you pursue a career in the arts or transfer to a four-year program, your degree builds a foundation for your future.

Your Creative Toolkit

Immerse yourself in mediums that bring your ideas to life:

• Drawing & painting
• Ceramics & wheel throwing
• Small metals & jewelry making
• Printmaking & mixed media
• Digital fabrication & 3D printing

Along the way, you’ll hone problem-solving, craftsmanship, and visual thinking—skills that shape both your art and your life.

Where It Can Take You

A Studio Art degree opens doors in creative careers and beyond:

• Professional artist or designer
• Illustrator or graphic designer
• Art teacher or teaching artist
• Gallery or arts nonprofit professional
• Product designer or art director
• Curator, conservator, or art therapist (with further study)

The CMC Experience

Art at CMC is hands-on, community-driven, and deeply personal. Small classes, personalized mentorship, and a thriving creative culture let you grow as an artist and as a person. Here, your work matters—and so do you.