Program Overview

The BFA in art with a studio emphasis degree familiarizes students with the rich tradition of the visual arts, provides them with an understanding of the tools and materials available to the artist as a means of personal expression, shows students that there are fundamental concepts which unify all art yet which allow for infinite variation, and introduces to them alternative ways of looking, seeing, finding and discovering. BFA studio art students explore a wide variety of media, gaining extensive studio experience and learning the techniques and expressive opportunities unique to each. A primary focus of the program is on students finding their own creative and conceptual voice, and discovering ways to visually communicate their thoughts and ideas.

BFA studio art students also more thoroughly investigate such potential in a single area of emphasis, from among those listed below. Students at this level learn within a more professional framework, where the relationship between student and teacher becomes that of apprentice and master. Through this unique teaching relationship, students develop a high level of achievement in an area of expertise, while further developing personal creative abilities. In this manner they establish a sound basis for significant professional accomplishments in art.

Students in the BFA program with a studio emphasis fulfill the same core requirements as for the BA in studio art. In addition, they complete 9 further credit hours in art history and criticism; 9 further credits in additional studio course distribution; 18 further credit hours in studio courses consisting of 15 from their declared area of emphasis and 3 in drawing; and 3 credit hours with the BFA thesis.

Areas of Emphasis

• Ceramics
• Drawing
• Electronic and Time-Based Art
• Painting
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Sculpture

Learning Outcomes
Successful graduates of the art with a studio emphasis program will be able to:

• Express an individual, creative voice through an artistic practice that engages with contemporary global art and design discourse.
• Implement the formal vocabularies of art and design as a foundation for artistic dialogue.
• Practice drawing as a means to develop ideas.
• Draw upon the history of art and design as a wellspring for ideas, solutions and meanings within one's own artistic practice.
• Analyze and discuss art and design through discipline- and emphasis-specific vocabularies and methods.
• Exhibit the potential for practicing art as a means of engagement and discourse.