December 14, 2023

If the assignment is to define what’s amazing about Delta’s Art + Design program in 40 words or less, Michael Glowacki’s insightful brevity earns him an A.

“It helps build the foundations you’ll need to keep growing,” says Glowacki, professor and program director, ticking through the positives like a checklist. “The cost is very affordable. Our credits transfer to programs across the state. It's open enrollment, so anybody can come here. And it's a very inviting, positive campus.”

Students graduating with an associate's in arts or fine arts leave Delta prepared to pursue gainful employment at regional art galleries, design firms, photography studios or printing businesses.

They are also primed to successfully transfer to four-year colleges and universities to obtain Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in art, art history, design or graphic design. In fact, through the Michigan Transfer Network, Delta’s MiTransfer Pathway in Art has been established with 14 Michigan universities.

“I really feel like the college itself is a real gem in this area, and also the fact that there was this art program established in the 60s, and that it has not only survived, but thrived over the years,” says Associate Professor Andrew Rieder. “Even in an area that might have an identity of being more blue-collar, more pragmatic in terms of career choices, there's still this hunger for creativity.”

Harness your creativity

“Art is around us every day, even in the small things,” observes Lindsey Welch, an Art + Design student. “Like the design of a table, a book page or even packaging.”

Delta College art department faculty members are practicing professional artists or designers, as well as professional art and design academics. They each bring their own wealth of creative and professional experiences into the classroom.

“I like doing real world projects with students,” Glowacki says. “For example, last fall, our Public Safety Department came to me inquiring about having some students design graphics for their new police vehicles. It ended up being a great learning experience where students submitted designs, got feedback and then two were chosen. Then those two students worked with the department and the vendor to get those wraps actually made and put on the vehicles. They got to see their work come to life.”

Using art to communicate

“Art brings people together,” Glowacki adds. “It can have people talk about topics in more depth that are kind of hard to decipher. Arts are an interesting thing where it's the one medium that can express fairly abstract stuff that maybe words can't express.”

“It’s so important that Delta College has an art program that's accessible and affordable,” Welch says. “I think it's really important that the arts are accessible to everybody. Because that's what art is, it's meant for everyone.”

Get the picture

Learn more about the Art + Design degree or any of Delta’s 140+ career programs at delta.edu/programs.