The Southern Arkansas University Department of Art & Design offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (B.F.A.) with emphasis in either studio or graphic design. The B.F.A. program's primary goal is to prepare students for careers in professional fields of art with its secondary purpose to prepare the student for further graduate studies in art. Those students who with to pursue a career in teaching art in the public schools can pursue the B.F.A. degree, and then receive teaching certification through the M.A.T. degree. Those students interested in pursuing this route should refer to the College of Education for specific requirements.

The art major is required to participate in a senior exhibition to be presented before graduation from Southern Arkansas University The Department of Art & Design may retain one work of art from the student for its permanent collection.

Within the Brinson Art Building, the main art facility on campus, there is a great variety of available resources. There is a 1600 square foot contemporary gallery space with hallway areas that are designed for the exhibition of artwork. The gallery maintains a full exhibition schedule of contemporary art. There are also specialized studios for painting and drawing, design, sculpture, and ceramics. The building has two black and white darkrooms. There is a large lecture room, several smaller seminar rooms, a student lounge, a computer lab, and faculty offices.

The award-winning Brinson Fine Arts Building was designed for the artist and student. Studios are well lit, well ventilated and designed to accommodate all disciplines. There is an active art gallery which exhibits work by artists of national and international reputation, faculty and student works, and cultural artifacts. There are also periodic visits by artists and other art professionals each semester.

The city of Magnolia boasts one of the most progressive public art programs in the U.S. Magnolia Murals, a community arts organization, has organized an ongoing large scale outdoor mural project. Each year since 1992, a wall in the downtown business district has been painted by a different internationally-renowned muralist. Magnolia Arts also sponsors and schedules cultural events in conjunction with SAU.