Liberal & Fine Arts

If you enjoy expressing yourself in an artistic or creative way and consider yourself a good writer, speaker or designer, this pathway is for you. You can expect a small student-to-teacher ratio, easy transfer opportunities to four-year schools and professors who are experts in their field.

Some highlights include:

  • Courses in literature, philosophy, journalism, communication, foreign languages, library science, theatre, music, art, interior design, graphic design, humanities and more
  • State-of-the-art facilities including the JJC Black Box Theatre, a professional recording studio, art studios, the 2,055 square-foot Laura A. Sprague Art Gallery and more
  • Opportunities to participate in JJC music ensembles, theatrical productions, art gallery exhibits and more

Fine Arts

JJC fine arts students can expect foundational classes taught by expert instructors with experience from around the world.

Fine Arts Events

Ready to get your tickets to the next show? JJC's new ticketing system allows you to easily complete this process online. 

Get Tickets to Any Performance

All Events

  • Sign Up for Event Notifications

    Want to keep tabs on the latest virtual fine arts events? Sign up to get notified.

    View the Fine Arts event calendar.

     

  • Art

    Gallery Hours

    • Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
    • Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. (Closed Fridays in the summer)

     

    Exhibition: Ana Zanic - Arcadia
    Dates: Monday, Feb. 6 - Friday March 3, 2023 
    Gallery is open 8 a.m.-8 p.m. when the college is open.
    Reception: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 - 4:30-6 p.m.
    Artist Talk: Thursday, Feb. 16, 2023 - 5 p.m.
     
    About the artist:
    Ana Žanić was born and educated in Croatia, where she earned a master's of fine arts degree from the Academy of Fine Arts, University of Zagreb, in 2002. She has been living in the United States since 2003. 
    Žanić’s watercolor practice is an exploration of the formal visual elements, as well as personal feelings, through an intuitive journey. 
    “Watercolor as a medium holds inherent qualities of intimacy, lightness, and spontaneity. Unlike most other mediums, its mistakes cannot be covered up with another layer. Its transparency shows the whole process. I love that aspect of its vulnerability - it resembles life itself.” 
    Žanić has exhibited in 20 solo and over 100 group exhibitions in the United States and Croatia. Her work is in numerous private and public collections in the United States, Croatia, Italy, Germany, China and Australia. She is represented by Kathryn Markel Fine Arts in New York, Chicago Art Source Gallery 1871 in Chicago, Walker Fine Art in Denver, and Olson Larsen in Des Moines. 

     

  • Music

    Musica Viva Concert Series featuring Picosa
    Sunday, February 5,

    at 3 p.m. in the JJC Theatre

    Picosa is a Chicago-based ensemble of flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano, and composer-in-residence presenting compelling performances that reimagine the traditional classical music concert.  Currently in its ninth season, the ensemble is in residence at Epiphany Center for the Arts, North Central College, and Elmhurst University, and is in its fourth concert season at DePaul University's Holtschneider Performance Center.  Picosa is thrilled to be the recipient of the 2022 CMA Classical Commissioning grant in collaboration with Shawn Okpebholo, premiere to be held in 2024.  

    Reserve tickets 

    Attend via livestream 

  • Theatre

    Check back soon.

English, Philosophy & World Languages

A variety of courses in English, journalism, literature, film, philosophy and world languages are offered.

  • About Us | Contact Information

    English, Philosophy & World Languages

    Dr. Michael Thune
    English, Philosophy and World Languages Department Chair
    Office: C-1049
    Phone: 815.280.6663
    Email: mthune@jjc.edu

  • Journalism

    At JJC, you'll learn the latest trends in the journalism field. We offer classes in news reporting, photography, editing, public relations and more!

    Want hands-on experience? JJC's student newspaper, The Blazer, offers students the opportunity to write articles and opinion pieces, take photos, design newspaper pages and learn web and social media strategy.

    See Journalism Classes
    Get Started with a Concentration in Journalism
    Check out our student newspaper, The Blazer

    Journalism

    Bob Marcink
    Professor & Journalism Adviser
    Phone: 815.280.2607
    Email: rmarcink@jjc.edu

Web Design, Development & Social Media

JJC's Web Design, Development & Social Media program provides students with the foundation they need to land a job after graduation or transfer to a four-year school.

Game Design & Development

Students will train for careers using professional software needed for this rapidly growing field.

Digital Media Production

Transfer to a Four-Year School

You can save thousands on your education by attending JJC your first two years compared to a four-year public or private institution.

Study Abroad

As a member of the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs (ICISP), JJC offers many study abroad opportunities around the world for students of any major. Destinations include Japan, Costa Rica, England, France and more!

  • How to Study Abroad

    At JJC, you can choose to study abroad during the fall, spring or summer semesters. All students who want to study abroad should fill out an application and have it completed by the deadlines below.

    • Spring Program: October 15
    • Summer Program: February 15
    • Fall Program: May 15
       

    More on Study Abroad

Careers

  • Graphic Designers

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Graphic Designers

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2022 43,109 4,158
    2023 43,221
    2024 43,334
    2025 43,422
    2026 43,561

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Graphic Designers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $29,637.21 $57,766.46
    25 $40,712.58
    50 $57,766.46
    75 $83,756.43
    90 $125,134.22

    Education Attainment Levels - Graphic Designers

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 3.85
    A Certificate 7.69
    Some College 7.69
    An Associate Degree 15.38
    A Bachelor's Degree 61.54
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 3.85
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

  • Interior Designers

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Interior Designers

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2022 15,062 1,592
    2023 15,257
    2024 15,434
    2025 15,559
    2026 15,709

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Interior Designers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $28,068.30 $60,911.98
    25 $41,210.03
    50 $60,911.98
    75 $96,745.24
    90 $175,911.69

    Education Attainment Levels - Interior Designers

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 0.00
    A Certificate 0.00
    Some College 0.00
    An Associate Degree 9.52
    A Bachelor's Degree 90.47
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.00
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

  • Public Relations Specialists

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Public Relations Specialists

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2022 29,904 3,062
    2023 30,230
    2024 30,546
    2025 30,833
    2026 31,108

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Public Relations Specialists

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $37,598.31 $75,126.03
    25 $50,372.29
    50 $75,126.03
    75 $101,243.76
    90 $143,100.10

    Education Attainment Levels - Public Relations Specialists

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 0.00
    A Certificate 0.00
    Some College 0.00
    An Associate Degree 0.00
    A Bachelor's Degree 90.91
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 9.09
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

  • Sound Engineering Technicians

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Sound Engineering Technicians

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2022 5,692 679
    2023 5,801
    2024 5,905
    2025 5,980
    2026 6,077

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Sound Engineering Technicians

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $36,286.33 $62,549.72
    25 $48,789.54
    50 $62,549.72
    75 $93,607.66
    90 $157,752.26

    Education Attainment Levels - Sound Engineering Technicians

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 37.04
    A Certificate 11.11
    Some College 7.41
    An Associate Degree 22.22
    A Bachelor's Degree 22.22
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.00
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

  • Special Effects Artists and Animators

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Special Effects Artists and Animators

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2022 11,831 1,386
    2023 12,019
    2024 12,197
    2025 12,356
    2026 12,513

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Special Effects Artists and Animators

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $34,240.50 $76,633.00
    25 $47,999.50
    50 $76,633.00
    75 $105,062.82
    90 $148,221.56

    Education Attainment Levels - Special Effects Artists and Animators

    Education Attainment Levels (By Percent)
    A High School Diploma Or Less 5.53
    A Certificate 0.00
    Some College 39.68
    An Associate Degree 1.70
    A Bachelor's Degree 52.75
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 0.34
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

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