Ellen-Weitkamp-19 Ellen Weitkamp ('19 Painting)

Classes + Course Requirements

Major painting studios, drawing electives in perceptual drawing, figure drawing and painting, book-making, color theory, social practice, the expanded field, and thematically based classes.

1st year

Your journey starts in the Foundation program where you will explore new techniques and find passions that you never knew you had.

2nd year

  • Drawing Elective
  • Studio Electives from any major

3rd year

  • Junior Painting I
  • Professional Practice
  • Junior Painting II

4th year

  • Senior Painting I
  • Senior Painting II
“Unlike some of my other art school experiences, KCAI taught me that there’s no singular way to create.”

Kevin Hopkins (‘22 Painting & Art History)

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William T. Kemper Painting Studios

Observe, paint and practice all within our studio walls.

Mix your colors and prep your palette with our:

  • Gallery space with student curators
  • Preparators and communications staff
  • Individual studio space
  • Fully-equipped computer lab with Adobe Suite
  • Department library / media center
  • Camera, light kit, projectors, and other equipment
  • Large multipurpose studio spaces
  • And more

Career Paths + Career Outcomes

KCAI painting Program alumni work as Fine Artists, Curators, Professors, Graphic Designers, Art Critics, Arts Administrators, Non-Profit Arts Leaders, Museum Staff, Gallery Directors, Art Therapists and UX/UI Designers. They work at Google, Nelson-Atkins Museum, Kemper Museum of Art, Garmin, Hallmark, Hallmark Cards, Dimensional Innovations and Johnson County Community College.

KCAI's Professional Practice Center will help you prepare for your career.

Lester Goldman Gallery

At the heart of the William T. Kemper Painting Studios is the Lester Goldman Gallery. A light-filled, professional gallery space where students can exhibit their work and flex their curatorial muscles to produce shows of student work for the KCAI community.

Painting Alumni

Painting School alumni are leaders in their fields.

Nehemiah Cisneros Nehemiah Cisneros ('21 Painting)
Natalie Aquilar Natalie Aguilar ('05 Painting)
matt bollinger Matthew Bollinger ('15 Painting)
Angela Dufresne Angela Dufresne ('91 Painting)