The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in studio art provides a substantial course of study for students who intend to develop as visual artists. Through hands-on art-making experiences in a broad range of media, coupled with complementary learning about art history, digital media and professional practices, this degree enables the development of versatile creative and critical thinking skills that can be applied in many professions.
For those students interested in pursuing double majors, the B.A. degree is recommended over the B.F.A. because there are fewer credit hours required in the major. Also, for those students interested in art education, the B.A. in studio art is recommended as a viable major to pair with an education minor and/or the option for continued teacher training with Upper Valley Educators Institute.
Students who would like to pursue depth in one media concentration area (ceramics, drawing, painting, photography or sculpture) are advised to pursue the B.F.A. in studio art instead.
Students in this major will:
- Demonstrate conceptual, formal and technical proficiency while safely employing a variety of artistic methods, materials and tools.
- Analyze artwork within art historical, cultural and/or contemporary contexts.
- Reflect upon their artistic processes and growth.
- Create and exhibit artwork that meets professional exhibition standards.
- Present themselves and their artwork professionally.
Studio Art B.A. Progress to Completion Requirements:
In order to document and archive progress toward completion of the major and portfolio development, students are expected to post in their e-portfolios at the end of each semester. For each ART and GD studio course required in the major, students are expected to post image(s) of at least one project (ideally the one that is considered the strongest from the body of work produced during the course) and an accompanying written process narrative which may address factors such as the following:
- Summarize your decisions in approaching and defining this project.
- Explain your formal and technical choices in relation to your concept
- outline how and where in your project you may have applied the concepts of math, calculations, measurement, proportions and estimation.
- Reflect on the trajectory of your process and/or what you have learned from it.
Advisors will check advisees’ e-portfolios periodically to confirm completion and to use as opportunities to discuss creative progress and growth. A minimum cumulative GPA of C (2.00) in major requirements must be attained.