The Painting Department, as it was originally called began in 1930 with the establishment of the College, under the direction of Stanley Reckless.

Department Chairs:
Stanley Reckless, Chair (1930-1955)
Lorser Feitelson, Chair (1956-1972)
Laurence Dreiband, Chair (1972-2012)
Tom Knechtel (Interim Chair during international search)(2012-2013)
Vanalyne Green, Chair (Fall 2014–Fall 2015)
Tom Knechtel (Interim Chair Fall 2015)
Tom Knechtel (Rotating Chair January 2016 – December 2017); Laura Cooper Associate Chair (Rotating Chairs – three year rotation to be reviewed in 2019)
Laura Cooper Chair; Jean Rasenberger Associate Chair (January 2018 - January 2021)

Directors:
Mitchell Kane, 2006-present