Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art

Program Overview

The UMass BFA in Studio Art is an intensive, interdisciplinary program that prepares students for careers as artists or designers. Students choose an area of concentration from six studio disciplines and complete a senior thesis project. The program offers a strong foundation in art theory, techniques, and critical thinking, fostered by a diverse faculty of artists and educators.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The UMass BFA in studio art is an intensive, professionally oriented degree in visual art intended for students pursuing careers as artists or designers. The program provides an introduction to the materials, techniques, language, and concepts of art. This interdisciplinary approach balances formal concepts, hands-on skills, imagination, and critical thinking, and gives you flexibility to develop your work while exploring the range of contemporary media.

Outline:

• First Year: Students take courses in the art foundations program, which provides an introduction to the materials, techniques, language, and concepts of art.
• After Foundations: Students choose an area of concentration from six studio disciplines: animation, ceramics, intermedia (photography and video production), painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
Students can also take design and creative technologies courses.
• Art History and General Education: Students take art history, as well as General Education courses, but are exempt from the foreign language requirement.
• Senior Thesis: Students complete a senior thesis: a one-semester multifaceted project in which they create a body of work, write a thesis, have an oral defense, and mount a solo exhibition.

Teaching:

• Faculty: The program features a diverse faculty of artists and educators.
• Featured Faculty: The text highlights Young Min Moon, Department Chair, and Jeffery Kasper, Undergraduate Program Director.

Careers:

The program prepares students for careers as artists or designers.

Other:

• Program Overview: The program is described as "intensive, professionally oriented," and "interdisciplinary."
• Related Programs: Students interested in the BFA in Studio Art may also be interested in a Minor in Studio Art, a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art, a Master of Fine Arts in Studio Art, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education, or a Master of Arts in Art Education.
• Department of Art: The program is housed within the Department of Art, which is described as nurturing "creative problem solvers, self-directed makers, and critical visual thinkers."