Kenneth Steinbach

Kenneth Steinbach serves as University Professor of Art in the Department of Art & Design within Bethel University's College of Arts and Sciences, where he has taught since 2001. His expertise spans 3D visual thinking, sculpture, senior seminar instruction, and creative practices, with a distinctive approach that integrates students directly into his artistic research and production processes.

His educational foundation includes a B.A. in Studio Art from Bethel College (1983) and an M.F.A. in Sculpture from Cranbrook Academy of Art (1986). These credentials underpin his scholarly approach to visual arts education and creation.

Steinbach's research centers on sustaining long-term creative viability for visual artists, culminating in his 2018 book Creative Practices for Visual Artists: Time, Space Process. His artistic practice demonstrates remarkable range across sculpture, printmaking, and installation art, often exploring materiality, socio-political contexts, and conceptual frameworks. Recent works reveal an evolving trajectory from site-specific installations to intricate multi-layered print series, consistently pushing technical boundaries while addressing themes of memory, cultural narratives, and spatial perception.

His exhibition history shows consistent national recognition with major solo and group shows across prestigious venues including the Walker Art Center, Form + Content Gallery, and international sites like Norway's Trykkeriet Printmaking Center. The work demonstrates recurring engagement with material experimentation and conceptual depth.

Steinbach's significant recognition includes:

• Arlin G. Meyer Prize in Visual Art (Lilly Fellows Program, 2014)
• Bethel University Faculty Excellence Award for Teaching (2012)
• Multiple Minnesota State Arts Board Artists Initiative grants (2015, 2009, 2005)
• Greenville College Schoenhals Visiting Artist (2015)

His teaching philosophy actively incorporates students into his creative research, providing unparalleled hands-on experience in professional art production. Grant history demonstrates sustained external funding for artistic innovation, particularly through state arts board support. Collaborations with artists like Dave Denninger (Walker Art Center project) and institutions such as Trykkeriet Printmaking Center reveal an expansive professional network that enriches his academic practice.

While no formal lab structure is documented, Steinbach maintains an active studio practice with international partnerships, notably at Norway's Trykkeriet Center for Contemporary Printmaking where his Voice of the People series was produced. His website serves as a comprehensive digital portfolio documenting evolving projects across sculpture, printmaking, and installation media.