Southwestern Illinois College, Granite City

About Southwestern Illinois College

Southwestern Illinois College in Granite City offers visitors access to the William and Florence Schmidt Art Center, which features exhibitions of visual art and cultural artifacts designed to inspire and inform. The center presents work that meets contemporary aesthetic standards alongside related cultural programming. The college itself, established in 1946, operates across multiple campuses and serves the region through more than 150 degree and certificate programs. Visitors can observe students engaged in specialized training across various fields, including welding technology in dedicated workshops, massage therapy in health sciences facilities, fine and performing arts studios where students work with clay sculpture and other media, earth science classes, and business division coursework. The college also offers online and accelerated courses. Educational exhibitions and cultural programs at the Schmidt Art Center expand visual literacy for both college students and community members of all ages, making it a resource for those interested in contemporary art and regional cultural life.