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. 

Buy Tickets to Any Show

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

    JJC Area High School Virtual Exhibition

    Nov. 8 to Dec. 11

    This show features student work from 12 area high schools and includes drawings, paintings, ceramics and much more.

    View the Exhibit
    Director's Statement

    Virtual Awards Presentation

    Thursday, Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m.

    Join our virtual awards presentation.

    Meeting ID: 875 7233 3291
    Passcode: 888289

    Join the Awards Presentation

  • Music

    Winter Concert Performances - In-Person Events*

    Jazz Band and Jazz Combo Concert
    JJC Theatre, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m.

    Sign Up to Attend the Jazz Band Concert Virtually
    Get Tickets for the In-Person Event

    Community Band Concert
    JJC Event Center, Dec. 5, 3 p.m.

    Guitar & Percussion Ensemble Concert
    JJC Lower Level J-Building, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m.

    JJC Chamber Singers & JJC Chorale Concert
    JJC Theatre, Dec. 12, 3 p.m.

    *Due to COVID-19, this in-person performance may be reformatted into a virtual performance. Please check back for more information as the dates get closer.

  • Musica Viva

    Upcoming Concerts

    Virtual & In-Person Concert: Seth Van Embden and Ensemble Affect
    JJC Theatre, Nov. 21, 3 p.m.

    This free, virtual and in-person concert will feature the Ensemble Affect, led by JJC adjunct faculty member and violinist Seth Van Embden. Ensemble Affect was formed "to create a conduit to explore (their) love of historically-informed performance, and to provide ... another resource to experience early music." This live-streamed  and in-person concert will feature concerti of the Baroque era by composers such as Teleman, Vivaldi and Corelli. 

    Register to Attend the Concert Virtually
    Register to Attend the Concert in Person

     

    About the Musica Viva Concert Series

    Musica Viva, meaning "live music," in Latin, is the only fully professional, entirely free-of-charge concert series of its kind at a college or university in the Chicagoland area. For more than 20 years, Musica Viva has featured outstanding national and international guest artists, JJC faculty and JJC alumni.

    If you enjoy JJC's Musica Viva concerts and wish to help ensure that they continue to be offered free-of-charge in the future, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the Musica Viva Donors Fund through the JJC Foundation.

    For more information or to donate, contact Rich Moore at rmoore@jjc.edu or call (815) 280-2487.

    Watch our Musica Viva Concert from March 2021

     

  • Theatre

    Auditions Open for The Tenacity of Just Seeming: Monologues for Eight Voices

    By Andy Pederson

    Audition Dates

    Location: Fine Arts Theatre, K-1000
    Please attend only one session.

    • Wednesday, Dec. 15, 3 to 5 p.m. or 6 to 8 p.m.
    • Thursday, Dec. 16, 5 to 7 p.m.

    8 Roles Available

    • 4 male, ages 20-50
    • 4 female, ages 20-50
       

    How to Audition

    • Each person cast will be performing an 8-10 minute monologue. To audition, you will present a 1-2 minute memorized monologue of your choosing. Please no material from movies.
    • Fill out an audition form and conflict schedule in-person, prior to auditioning, or email Tammy Perkins at tperkins@jjc.edu for the form to download, fill out, print and bring to the audition. Your completed, two-sided audition form/conflict schedule must accompany your audition.
    • Questions? Email director Tammy Perkins at tperkins@jjc.edu.
       

    Rehearsal Information

    • Rehearsals begin Jan. 24, 2022.
    • Times and days are TBD, depending upon availability of those cast. Rehearsals will generally run Monday through Friday, but could possibly involve Saturday and Sunday. Dates and times will be finalized by Dec. 30, 2021.
    • Auditions, rehearsals and performances will be held in the Theatre (K-1000).
    • Tech and dress rehearsals will be all day on Saturday, Feb. 19 and Sunday, Feb. 20. Rehearsals on these two days are mandatory. 
       

    Performances

    • Live performance dates are:
      • Feb. 24, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m.
      • Feb. 27 at 2 p.m.
    • All cast and crew members will be the strike crew following the Sunday afternoon performance.

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.

Transfer to a Four-Year School

You can save thousands on your education by attending JJC your first two semesters 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

  • Public Relations Specialists

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Public Relations Specialists

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2020 27,790 2,830
    2021 28,152
    2022 28,475
    2023 28,770
    2024 29,039

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Public Relations Specialists

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $37,400.48 $71,033.96
    25 $51,425.27
    50 $71,033.96
    75 $98,778.07
    90 $137,659.54

    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 91.67
    A Master's Or Professional Degree 8.33
    A Doctoral Degree Or More 0.00

  • Multimedia Artists and Animators

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Multimedia Artists and Animators

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2020 15,111 1,586
    2021 15,212
    2022 15,317
    2023 15,425
    2024 15,533

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Multimedia Artists and Animators

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $35,740.27 $76,692.94
    25 $50,858.71
    50 $76,692.94
    75 $110,424.02
    90 $156,091.50

    Education Attainment Levels - Multimedia 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

  • Graphic Designers

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Graphic Designers

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2020 38,192 3,421
    2021 38,004
    2022 37,877
    2023 37,772
    2024 37,710

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Graphic Designers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $27,241.26 $57,530.91
    25 $39,195.10
    50 $57,530.91
    75 $82,131.56
    90 $120,937.58

    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
    2020 13,786 1,252
    2021 13,790
    2022 13,790
    2023 13,790
    2024 13,795

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Interior Designers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $32,320.21 $60,497.69
    25 $43,186.71
    50 $60,497.69
    75 $87,351.34
    90 $137,285.56

    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

  • Sound Engineering Technicians

    Regional Employment & Annual Openings - Sound Engineering Technicians

    Employment (Regional) Annual Openings
    2020 4,543 490
    2021 4,561
    2022 4,581
    2023 4,605
    2024 4,627

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Sound Engineering Technicians

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $24,761.87 $62,823.62
    25 $38,718.29
    50 $62,823.62
    75 $102,734.67
    90 $179,931.48

    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

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