Studio Art Degree with a Concentration in Ceramics

Program Overview

The Studio Art Degree with a Concentration in Ceramics at the University of North Texas offers a B.F.A. program designed to equip students with comprehensive ceramic skills and knowledge. Emphasizing hands-on experiences, the program encourages exploration, fosters a diverse perspective, and supports students' creative expression. Students benefit from mentorship by acclaimed professionals and have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including 3D printers and specialized kilns. The program prepares graduates for a wide range of career paths in ceramic art, such as education, craft, and fine art.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Studio Art Degree with a Concentration in Ceramics at the University of North Texas is a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and creative vision to excel in the field of ceramics. The program emphasizes hands-on experience, technical proficiency, and a deep understanding of ceramic art history and theory. The program's objectives include:

• Developing technical proficiency: Students learn traditional methods like hand-forming, wheel-throwing, and mold making, alongside contemporary techniques like computer-aided design, digital fabrication, and industrial production.
• Exploring diverse approaches: The program fosters a diverse and inclusive outlook on contemporary ceramic art history and theory, encompassing non-western art and craft.
• Engaging with current issues: Students explore current issues of social practice, sustainability, and interdisciplinary practices, reflecting the contemporary cultural landscape.
• Cultivating creative expression: The program views clay as a means of expression, a tool for communication, and a conduit for critical thinking.
• Providing mentorship and guidance: Students receive critical and rigorous mentorship from faculty and technical staff, encouraging exploration and professional development.

Teaching:

• Faculty: The program boasts nationally and internationally acclaimed artists and scholars who are active members and leaders of national organizations like NCECA and the International Academy of Ceramics.
• Mentorship: Faculty and technical staff provide critical and rigorous mentorship, encouraging exploration and guidance in professional practices.
• Hands-on experience: The program emphasizes hands-on learning through studio work, workshops, and technical instruction.
• Diverse learning environment: The program fosters a diverse and inclusive learning environment, encompassing non-western art and craft and exploring current issues of social practice, sustainability, and interdisciplinary practices.

Careers:

• Education: Graduates can pursue careers in education, teaching private lessons, public workshops, and classes at colleges, universities, museums, galleries, community centers, artist residencies, or studios.
• Ceramicist: Graduates can create and sell one-of-a-kind fine art for galleries, specialty shops, craft markets, or art fairs.
They may also work in production-ceramics jobs.
• Craft and Fine Artist: Graduates can advance professionally as their work circulates and they establish a reputation for their particular style.
Many successful artists continually develop new ideas, and their work often evolves over time.
• Overall Employment Outlook: The overall employment of fine artists is projected to grow 14% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations.
(Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Other:

• Facilities: The program is housed in the new $10-million, 22,600-square-foot Art Annex, which includes state-of-the-art facilities like 3D printers, a clay printer, ram press, and Blauuw kilns.
• Student Organizations: Students are encouraged to participate in the Clay Guild student organization, sponsor visiting artist workshops, exhibitions, ceramic art sales, and annual travel to the conference sponsored by the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts.
• Living-Learning Community: A Living-Learning Community brings together art and design majors who live on campus.
• Scholarships: Students can receive cash prizes and scholarships through an annual juried art competition and local, regional, and international exhibitions.