As far as the foundational education of artists and designers is concerned, there is a sense that the natural sciences are of marginal importance, that they deal primarily with matters of material fact rather than the concerns of critical thought or cultural discourse. The author contends that the natural sciences can be quintessential liberal arts. It is up to science teachers to create curricula, instruct undergraduates, and mentor graduate students in ways that cultivate engagement with science that is intellectually critical and culturally crucial. Reimagining the intellectual and civic value of the natural sciences, how they are best taught, and the significance of scientific fluency--for artists, designers, scientists, humanists, and social scientists alike--will contribute to reclaiming the fundamental relevance of a liberal education today.