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 Virtual Events

  • Art

    Art Exhibit

    Joliet Junior College Juried Students Art Exhibition
    May 3 - June 14
    This art exhibit features work from talented visual arts students. Artwork includes paintings, ceramics, drawing, design, jewelry/metals and more. All artwork chosen for this exhibit was selected by visiting juror Christopher T. Wood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

    View the Gallery
    View the Juror's Statement
    View the Gallery Director's Statement

  • Music

    Friday, May 14, 7:30 p.m.

    jjc jazz combo
    Jazz Combo

    jjc jazz band

    Jazz Band

    JJC Jazz Combo and JJC Jazz Band - Spring Concert

    The JJC Jazz Band will present a virtual collection of arrangements from great jazz composers, arrangers and performers of yesteryear, including: Mary Lou Williams, Fletcher Henderson, Louis Armstrong and Sammy Nestico.

    The JJC Student Jazz Combo includes: Joseph Cook (trombone), Sam Burns (guitar, trumpet, vocals), Ethan Featherly (piano), Noah Burns (keyboards), Mitchell Pulido (electric bass), Dana Goodman (drums, percussion) nad Professor David Nuccio (director).

    Please register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining.

    Register to Attend the Jazz Performance

    Saturday, May 15, 7:30 p.m.

    Guitar Ensemble
    Guitar Ensemble

    JJC Guitar Ensemble, JJC Chamber Singers, JJC Chorale - Spring Concert

    Guitar Ensemble
    The Guitar Ensemble will feature traditional South American tangos, classical guitar duets, Joe Satriani, and jazz standards by Morgan Lewis and John Coltrane.

    The JJC Guitar Ensemble includes Levi Bergbower, Sam Burns, Mitch Pulido, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Smalley

    JJC Chamber Singers and JJC Chorale

    This combined concert will be Philip Spencer's final occasion as conductor of these two college choirs, as he will be retiring in May from JJC after 20 years of service. Debra Miller is the accompanist and audiovisual designer of this performance.

    The performance will include three choral works rehearsed and recorded by each choir member from how: How Good! a contemporary gospel piece on the theme of unity; I Dream a World, a setting of a poem by the Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes; and Modimo, an exciting traditional song of praise and celebration from South Africa in the Sesotho and Zulu languages, accompanied by African percussion and dance.

    Watch a Sneak Peak

    Please register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining.

    Register to Attend the Guitar Ensemble, JJC Chamber Singers & Chorale Performance

    Sunday, May 16, 3 p.m.

    JJC Community Band
    JJC Community Band

    JJC Steel Band
    JJC Steel Band

    JJC Steel Band and JJC Community Band - Spring Concert

    This concert is the debut of the new JJC Steel Band and the 42nd annual Community Band concert.

    About the Steel Band
    Performing on authentic, hand-tuned oil drums, the JJC Steel Band will present its first-ever performance featuring calypso, reggae, soca and pop favorites. The ensemble, directed by Professor Adam Cowger, will take you on a journey through the Caribbean with music by Len "Boogsie" Sharpe, Lord Kitchener and other luminaries of steel pan music!

    About the Community Band
    This part of the concert is made up of videos recorded by band members in their homes, then submitted to be assembled into the virtual ensemble. The concert is a celebration of American music and will include pieces by American composers. This includes works by John Philip Sousa, Jack Stamp, Henry Fillmore, John Mackey and Robert W. Smith.

    Watch a Sneak Peak

    Please register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information about joining.

    Register to Attend the JJC Steel Band and JJC Community Band Performance

  • Musica Viva

    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 Professor Philip Spencer, Coordinator of the Musica Viva Concert Series, at pspencer@jjc.edu or call (815) 280-2225.

    Watch our Musica Viva Concert from March 2021

  • Theatre

    Register to Attend JJC's Audio-Only Production of Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

    April 23-24, 7:30 p.m.
    April 24-25, 2 p.m.

    This performance is free and open to the public.

    Synopsis
    George and Lennie have just arrived at a ranch to work for enough money to buy their own place. Lennie is a man-child, a little boy in the body of a dangerously powerful man. It's Lennie's obsessions with things soft and cuddly that have made George cautious about who the gentle giant, with his brute strength, associates with. When a tragedy strikes at their workplace, George is faced with a moral dilemma he will never forget.

    Register to Attend Of Mice and Men
    Of Mice and Men Program

  • 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.

     

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 28,271 2,891
    2021 28,657
    2022 28,995
    2023 29,296
    2024 29,571

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Public Relations Specialists

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $37,414.58 $71,033.24
    25 $51,435.79
    50 $71,033.24
    75 $98,731.20
    90 $137,494.53

    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 15,336 1,606
    2021 15,448
    2022 15,555
    2023 15,662
    2024 15,764

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Multimedia Artists and Animators

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $35,919.17 $76,964.92
    25 $51,078.46
    50 $76,964.92
    75 $110,706.18
    90 $156,289.40

    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 38,833 3,480
    2021 38,694
    2022 38,590
    2023 38,505
    2024 38,450

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Graphic Designers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $27,358.25 $57,603.30
    25 $39,298.54
    50 $57,603.30
    75 $82,118.04
    90 $120,671.15

    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 13,981 1,263
    2021 13,993
    2022 14,001
    2023 14,010
    2024 14,014

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Interior Designers

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $32,451.41 $60,565.04
    25 $43,303.64
    50 $60,565.04
    75 $87,300.00
    90 $136,935.04

    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 4,722 506
    2021 4,745
    2022 4,770
    2023 4,796
    2024 4,817

    Annual Earnings & Median Earnings - Sound Engineering Technicians

    Annual Earnings (By Percentile) Median Earnings
    10 $24,932.45 $62,787.76
    25 $38,753.85
    50 $62,787.76
    75 $102,513.63
    90 $179,905.33

    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

Explore Pathways

View all pathways