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Arts and Sciences Division

Visual and Performing Arts Department

Aims music student playing the saxophone

The Aims Visual and Performing Arts Department Supports Your Academic Goals

At Aims, you can choose from a variety of visual and performing arts classes that will give you the skills you need for a fulfilling and successful career.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to paint, play an instrument or perform in a play, consider taking a class for fun. Art classes at Aims will introduce you to both studio and academic approaches to art. You can work with your hands while also engaging in analysis and criticism of works of art and architecture. Whether you're exploring for personal interest or pursuing a career in the arts, Aims provides a solid foundation in the skills it takes to make and enjoy works of art.

If you'd like to earn a bachelor's degree in the arts while paying less in tuition, you can earn a liberal arts degree with designation and your courses will transfer to any participating public four-year Colorado school.

Aims currently offers three associate degrees in the arts:


Art History and Visual Arts

Art classes at Aims introduce you to both studio and academic approaches to art. You can work with your hands while also engaging in analysis and criticism of works of art and architecture. Whether exploring for personal interest or pursuing a career in the arts, Aims provides a solid foundation in the skills it takes to make and enjoy works of art.

If you're interested in earning an associate degree that will allow you to transfer to a participating public college or university in Colorado, Aims offers two visual arts degrees in art history and studio art.

Aims art history students looking at art

Earn an Associate Degree in Art History at Aims

Thanks to a statewide agreement between community colleges and universities, after earning an art history associate degree at Aims, you can transfer to any participating four-year public university in Colorado as a junior to earn your bachelor’s degree. Taking your general education degree requirements at Aims instead of a four-year institution can save substantial costs.

Learn more about the art history liberal arts transfer degree program
An Aims student shows off an award at the Loveland Art Show

Earn a Studio Art Associate Degree at Aims

Thanks to a statewide agreement between community colleges and universities, after earning an anthropology associate degree at Aims, you can transfer to any participating four-year public university in Colorado as a junior to earn your bachelor’s degree. Taking your general education degree requirements at Aims instead of a four-year institution can save substantial costs.

Learn more about the studio art liberal arts transfer degree program

Aims Art History and Visual Arts Faculty

The art faculty at Aims have deep experience in their disciplines and are working artists who are passionate about teaching. You'll gain support, perspective and one-on-one support from instructors who are invested in your success and who understand the realities of working artists. 

Stephanie Newton headshot

Stephanie Newton

Department Chair - Visual and Performing Arts
Professor, Art History
Aims Community College art instructor Charles Luna

Charles Luna

Instructor, Art
Sonya Paukune headshot

Sonya PauKune

Professor, Art
Aims Community College art and design instructor Jamie Autrey

Jamie Autrey

Part-Time Faculty, Art
Headshot of Aims Art and Women and Gender Studies instructor Charis Fleshner

Charis Fleshner

Part-Time: Faculty, Art
Part-Time: Faculty, Women and Gender Studies

Kris Heintz Nelson

Part-Time Faculty, Art
Aims Community College art instructor Victoria Lisi

Victoria Lisi

Part-Time Faculty, Art

Matthew McHugh

Part-Time Instructor, Art

Eliaz McMillan

Part-Time Faculty, Art

Gaylen McQuown

Part-Time Faculty, Art
Andrew Moline Headshot

Andrew Moline

Part-Time: Faculty, Art
Part-Time: Faculty, Seminar 10

Kenneth Price

Part-Time Faculty, Art

Shana Salaff

Part-Time Faculty, Art
Aims art and design instructor Henry Stinson

Henry Stinson

Part-Time Faculty, Art
Photo of Helen Villarreal

Helen Villarreal

Art Department Lab Coordinator and Part-Time Instructor, Continuing Education
Aims Community College art and design instructor Robert Waltman

Robert Waltman

Part-Time Faculty, Art

Music

Music surrounds us every day. It's an art form that can teach us, move us and bring us together. The Aims music program gives you the opportunity to explore and learn in a friendly environment. Music courses help you develop your instrumental and performance skills while developing your understanding of the history of music in context of the time it was made. 

By earning a liberal arts degree with designation in music, your credits will transfer to any participating Colorado public college where you can go on to earn a bachelor's degree. While Aims offers an associate of arts degree in music, you don’t need to declare a music major to take private lessons or sign up for classes. All of the music instructors at Aims have extensive experience in both teaching and performing, and they welcome all styles of music.

Earn a Music Associate Degree at Aims

Thanks to a statewide agreement between Colorado community colleges and universities, after earning an anthropology associate degree at Aims, you can transfer to any participating four-year public university in Colorado as a junior to earn your bachelor’s degree. Taking your general education degree requirements at Aims instead of a four-year institution can save substantial costs.

Learn more about the music liberal arts transfer degree program

Aims Music Faculty

Aims Community College music faculty smiling while standing near a piano
Brooke Elzey

Brooke Elzey

Professor, Music
Headshot of Rick Busson

Richard Busson

Professor, Music
Headshot of Aims Voice instructor Patrice Burgstahler

Patrice Burgstahler

Adjunct Instructor, Voice

Pablo Dos Santos Hernandez

Adjunct Instructor, Oboe

Dion Duran

Adjunct Instructor, Advancing Academic Achievement and Saxophone
Headshot of Aims adjunct cello instructor Romina Monsanto-Colina

Romina Monsanto Colina

Part-Time: Faculty, Music
A headshot of Aims Community College music instructor Darlene Mueller

Darlene Mueller

Adjunct Instructor, Voice
A headshot of Aims Community College music instructor Ivana Muncan

Ivana Muncan

Adjunct Instructor, Piano
Dylan Off-Fixmer Headshot

Dylan Off-Fixmer

Part-Time: Faculty, Music

Jeffrey Perry

Part-Time Faculty, Music
Headshot of Aims adjunct music accompanist instructor Katilyn Rittner

Katilyn Rittner

Music Accompanist
Aims music instructor Sara Schuhardt headshot

Sara Schuhardt

Adjunct Instructor, Flute
Headshot of Aims violin instructor Stephanie Work

Stephanie Work

Adjunct Instructor, Violin

Theatre

Theatre classes are offered as part of the Visual and Performing Arts Department at Aims. While Aims does not offer an associate degree in theatre, you can choose from several courses including acting and theatre production as electives or general education degree requirements. 

In addition to classes, the Aims Community Theater Group (ACT Group) puts on performances during the academic year. ACT Group partners with the educational side of Aims to give you a place to learn and grow as an actor, technician, and performance artist. As an open company, anyone from the community is welcome to audition and work with ACT Group. 

Aims Theatre Faculty

Aims theatre faculty offer encouragement, feedback and support to help you achieve your academic goals. 

A headshot of Aims theatre instructor Benjamin Kessler

Benjamin Kessler

Part-Time Faculty, Theatre