623 S. Wabash Ave.
623 S. Wabash primarily houses our Visual Arts Programs, such as Graphic Design, Art and Art History, Photography, and Fashion Studies. The First Floor has our Hokin Gallery Space, HAUS Multipurpose space, and the Digital Printing Center.
Media Gallery
Photography
Art and Art History
Business and Entrepreneurship
Design
Facilities
Fashion Studies
Campus Resources and Support Services
⭐ Photography
We’ve never lived in a more visual society. Within it, there’s a growing need for photographers and image innovators: professionals who conceptualize, create, and drive future advances in visual technology. Columbia’s internationally known Photography Department and its renowned faculty and facilities will give you an unparalleled foundation for an enduring career.
Photography (BA)
You’ll create images in your very first class in Columbia College Chicago’s Photography bachelor’s program. Our faculty of award-winning professional photographers will meet you where you are. If you’re new to the craft, they’ll help you get started. If you’re already familiar with photography, they’ll place you in an appropriate level. Photography majors choose a concentration in Fashion, Commercial, or Fine Art Photography. Concentrating your studies will give you an edge in a specialized area. Or, you can learn the ropes across disciplines by pursuing a general degree. You’ll be making images constantly during your time at Columbia. You’ll have access to professional equipment, including studios, cameras, lenses, and digital software and printers. You’ll learn to articulate your point of view through regular critiques with faculty members and peers. Chicago will be your campus—and your inspiration. You’ll have opportunities to work at studios, galleries, museums, and companies in the city.
⭐ Art and Art History
As an Art and Art History student, you’ll discover the constantly evolving nature of culture and explore contemporary and historic art practice. Interdisciplinary coursework, entrepreneurial thinking, and collaboration are all part of the Columbia experience.
Art History (BA)
Learn how to interpret and analyze art in Columbia College Chicago’s Art History bachelor’s degree program. Our unique approach to art history and theory focuses on diverse and socially engaged fields of study. Under the guidance of a faculty of art historians and artists, you’ll study modern and contemporary works as well as design, photography, and architecture—all from a global and multicultural perspective. As an Art History major, you’ll become an experienced researcher and gain a critical understanding of the role of art in society. You’ll write and present original scholarship with your peers and faculty mentors. Our collaborative classroom approach fosters complex conversations that mirror experiences you’ll have in the field.
Fine Arts (BA | BFA)
Explore a range of materials, methods, and theories in the Fine Arts programs at Columbia College Chicago, where we view the art world as interdisciplinary and flexible. You’ll find a place for your unique, creative vision with the support of instructors who are also professional artists. As a Fine Arts major, you’ll learn about the social function of art and begin to sharpen your voice as you study art history and theory. In our supportive critique environment, you’ll get regular feedback on your work from professional artists and fellow peers. As an art major, you’ll have opportunities to exhibit in spaces around Columbia’s campus and venues throughout the city.
⭐ Business and Entrepreneurship
In this department, you'll learn by doing. Our faculty of working professionals, a global alumni network, and internship and study abroad opportunities will prepare you for a rewarding career in the creative industry, graduate study in business or law, or to launch a new product or service as an entrepreneur.
Arts Management (BA)
Behind every arts and culture organization is a leader who connects artists with audiences and manages the organization’s daily operations. In the Arts Management bachelor’s degree program at Columbia College Chicago, you’ll learn how to manage and lead creative organizations. You’ll take management courses on topics such as cultural policy, law for the creative industries, and talent management. In practicum courses, you’ll collaborate with your classmates to plan and manage live projects, which include events, exhibitions, and performances. You’ll meet arts management professionals and visit Chicago’s cultural institutions and businesses as part of your course work. And you’ll have opportunities to join teams at festivals, galleries, and startups throughout the city.
Design Management (BA)
In Columbia College Chicago’s Design Management bachelor’s degree program, you’ll learn the business of design. Thousands of creative agencies work with clients to design inventive products, software, marketing, and more. This work requires research, strategy, and leadership. As a Design Management major, you’ll learn how to work with clients. You’ll take management courses tailored to the creative industries, and you’ll learn how various business models in the design industry are structured for freelancers, small companies, and large firms.
Marketing (BA)
Behind every successful venture in the arts and entertainment industries is a team of savvy marketers. In the Marketing bachelor’s degree program at Columbia College Chicago, you’ll learn how to harness the power of data, digital media, events, and storytelling to market products, services, and ideas. You’ll learn from Chicago-based marketing professionals and cross-train in a variety of communication disciplines.
Music Business (BA)
In the Music Business bachelor’s degree program, you’ll learn about the professional teams behind your favorite bands, concerts, festivals, albums, and mixtapes. You’ll learn how music is monetized, licensed, and distributed, and you’ll sign, release, and market emerging artists on our student-run record label.
Television Writing and Business (BFA)
The BFA in Television Writing and Business addresses the growing need to prepare students for launching and managing entertainment projects while maintaining creative control of their productions. Today's studios, networks, and independent production companies seek creatives with high-level writing skills, sound business acumen, and entrepreneurial thinking. This program fulfills that need while also teaching students how to create their own opportunities for employment and engagement with the television and digital media industry.
⭐ Design
As a Design student, you'll prepare for a multifaceted career in advertising art direction, graphic design, illustration, or interior architecture. Interdisciplinary coursework, entrepreneurial thinking, and collaboration are all part of the Columbia experience. At Columbia, you’ll build the portfolio and contacts you’ll need to enter the profession upon graduation.
Graphic Design (BA | BFA)
Columbia College Chicago’s Graphic Design program will give you the tools and experience you’ll need to launch a career in visual communication. You’ll develop advanced skills in typography, layout, information design, packaging design, and other applications through hands-on courses. You’ll learn the software and technology you’ll need to deliver dynamic visual communications. You’ll also gain experience in research and client management.
Illustration (BA | BFA)
Apply your passion for storytelling and the visual arts in Columbia College Chicago’s Illustration program. You’ll learn how visual storytelling can captivate audiences and how your distinct style and voice can make an impact. You’ll develop your artistic skills through studio classes and critiques with a dedicated faculty of professional illustrators. You’ll practice techniques in both traditional and digital illustration and apply your visual storytelling skills in hands-on, client-focused projects. You’ll learn three commercial models: freelance, institutional, and contract-based. You’ll also learn the core business skills you’ll need to thrive as a professional illustrator.
Interior Architecture (BFA)
In Columbia College Chicago's Interior Architecture program, you'll develop a professional portfolio and a skill set that will prepare you to design interior space. Our program integrates the worlds of manual and digital project work, and the conceptual with the practical. You'll develop an understanding of the creative design process, including research and analysis. Your learning is focused in the design studio, where you'll develop solutions to a variety of project types and gain an understanding of your eventual professional focus.
⭐ Facilities
Learn more about the facilities in this building.
Printmaking Facility
Open to students who complete the Printmaking 1 course or the five-week, print-focused Skills course, the printmaking studio offers a variety of printmaking techniques in one space. Screen print your designs and artwork, experiment with photo-lithography, carve and print relief blocks, investigate a variety of etching techniques and learn the ropes of Risograph printing. Learn how to use the laser cutter in the Fabrication Facility to manipulate wood, rubber, and acrylic as part of your unique studio practice.
Bring your own materials, or purchase them at-cost in the studio. We provide a wide range of open studio hours and always have staff on-hand to answer questions and help you improve your techniques.
Fabrication Facility
Experience 15,000 square feet of state-of-the-art equipment in Columbia’s central making space. With the latest machines, power tools, and equipment, you can create everything from jewelry to 3D models to furniture in one collaborative space.
Open to all students enrolled in Art and Art History, Design, Fashion Studies, and Photography courses, the Fabrication Facility is the on-campus space for all things woodworking, metalworking, 3D printing, laser cutting, and more. With two equipment cribs to check out various tools, and materials available to purchase at-cost, you’ll have plenty of flexibility to blend mediums and build on your skills. We have experienced staff on-hand to help with your fabrication-related coursework.
Computer Lounge
The computer lounge is open to students enrolled in an Art and Art History, Design, Fashion Studies or Photography course. Use the skills you learn in the classroom to produce industry-quality work. We offer all the tools needed to complete your assignments and develop your personal projects. When you’re ready to output your files, send them over to the Digital Print Center across the floor, which can print on a variety of media (including fabric!), and in large-format.
Open Studio
Designed to be a flexible, collaborative space, the open studio features rubber floors, large windows, and places to hang your work so you can create with tons of natural light—and a view of the Chicago skyline. You’ll have access to easels, work tables, and adjustable lighting.
You can also display your work in one of the exhibition spaces for checkout, or store your works-in-progress in a locked storage space, all on the same floor.
Fashion Lab
The fashion lab has more than 72 commercial machines to handle everything from fine fabrics to leather and denim, and dress forms in various sizes. Offering open studio access for more than 70 hours a week, this is the space that empowers you to design, prototype, source, manufacture, photo documentation area, bring to market, and actually sell your original apparel. From concept to finished garment the fashion lab studio will support student’s creation of their completed work.
Bring your own supplies or check out the lab’s tools and equipment with your student ID, and use the lab as your personal studio. The fashion lab is staffed with apparel technicians, tutors, and student workers if you need help creating your designs along the way.
Hokin Gallery
The Hokin Gallery is a student-run that's home to the Hokin Project, an Arts Management practicum that provides gallery management, curatorial, exhibition, and design experience for students of all majors.
Haus
Haus functions as a hangout area, study space, and a student-run performance venue. Students of all majors can gain hands-on experience by programming the space, which features sound reinforcement and lighting equipment.
⭐ Fashion Studies
Fashion: It’s as intimate as personal style and as global as the vast, multitrillion-dollar garment industry. Columbia's Fashion Studies programs are designed to anticipate changes in a dynamic field that values technology and tradition while providing for, and shaping, the needs of contemporary consumers.
Fashion Studies (BA)
Fashion is an art and an industry. To succeed in it, you’ll need cutting-edge business skills and an appreciation for style. In Columbia College Chicago's fashion bachelor's degree program, we’ll prepare you to enter the rapidly changing world of fashion. Our core classes will help you think critically about fashion and imagine how style can solve problems and contribute to culture. You’ll gain real-life experience outside the classroom by working with retailers and wholesale showrooms. You’ll build on this experience by honing professional skills in marketing, technology, analytics, and design. As a graduate, you’ll join a network of alumni who work as technical designers, merchandisers, buyers, pattern makers, marketers, stylists, and digital media specialists.
Fashion Design (BFA)
Columbia’s Fashion Design BFA program will train students to develop a design practice with a strong focus on design context, emphasizing an understanding of the culture, history, and theory of fashion as well as the crucial business savviness needed to make their work market-ready. As a Fashion Design student, you’ll further explore the processes of conceptualizing, creating, and delivering a thesis collection that sits at the intersection of craft and innovation. You’ll be cultivating your creative voice while honing the digital expertise, research acumen, and critical thinking skills required to be an innovative leader in a rapidly evolving global industry, bringing change-making thinking to the problems it faces.
⭐ Campus Resources and Support Services
Learn more about the Campus Resources and/or Support Services located in this building..
Campus Security
Columbia College Chicago provides a comprehensive safety and security program on campus. Our 24-hour Security Command Center includes dispatching capabilities and a sophisticated video surveillance and emergency communications network staffed around the clock. We continuously review the latest technology to ensure we are providing optimal security services to the community. To complement our 24/7 campus security patrols, security officers use a marked security vehicle, Segways and bicycles to provide rapid response to incidents. Columbia has an after-hours Security Escort Program to help students and employees travel safely between campus locations and from campus locations to pre-designated mass transit stations. The Security Escort Program is available seven days a week from 6 p.m.–1 a.m. during the Fall and Spring semesters.
College Advising Center
The Advising Center provides Academic Advising services to students via appointment throughout the year
Services for Students with Disabilities
The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office coordinates support services for students with temporary or permanent disabilities. Staff members also assist in providing equal access to successful educational experiences at Columbia College Chicago.
Campus Map
