Art BFA
College of Fine Arts
Emphases: Ceramics, Illustration, Painting/Drawing, Photography & Digital Imaging, Printmaking, Sculpture Intermedia
Arts Pass
Bennion
Center
Capstones
Program
Learning Abroad
Office of
Undergraduate Research
Courses
Getting Started
- Complete 8 half-semester studio courses
- Take ART 2400 & ARTH 2500
- Complete math & writing requirements
- Declare an emphasis near end of your first-year foundation experience
Making Progress
- In your 2nd year, start major coursework specific to your emphasis (refer to catalog for more info and meet with an advisor to build your course plan)
- Generate a degree audit to track progress as you complete GE/degree requirements
- Meet with your advisor regularly to discuss your course plan, stay on track with major requirements, and explore extracurricular opportunities
Finishing Up
- Complete capstone courses or senior seminars in your final year of study if required by emphasis
- Use degree audit to track progress toward graduation
Community
Getting Started
- Join ArtsForce or our student groups - Art Teaching Club, CLAY, Illustration Club, Painting & Drawing Club, Sculpture Club, Under Pressure-Printmaking, Perspective Realia-Murals
- Make a professional social media account & follow respected artists/creators
- Attend CFA's welcome event ArtsBash
Making Progress
- Successful artists are constantly making & creating: seek feedback/critiques beyond major requirements
- Explore student research options in OUR
- Consider submitting work to the Annual Student Exhibition, BFA show, or other opportunities (see events page)
- Participate in visiting artist talks, gallery strolls, lectures, and workshops
- Use ArtsPass to visit museums like UMFA and participate in cultural events
Finishing Up
- Participate in conferences, apprenticeships, and residencies for additional networking and experience
- Consider taking on a leadership role in your student group
- Get involved in the Alumni Association
Knowledge & Skills
Getting Started
- Explore Art BFA emphases in the First Year Foundation (declare an emphasis with advisor after completing at least 6 of the 8 courses)
- Learn about OUR resources, like UROP & FAF grants
Making Progress
- Consider volunteer opportunities through the Bennion Center or local art venues to develop skills & experience
- Create opportunities to engage in research with a faculty member through UROP
- Apply for a FAF grant to seek financial support for student-driven extracurricular experiences
- Meet with CFA's Internship Coordinator to explore available or desired opportunities
Finishing Up
- Work with a Career Coach in the CPDC to create or refine professional documents like resumes/cover letters
- Complete traditional and/or digital portfolios
Transformation
Getting Started
- Engage with departmental student groups/clubs
- Interview arts faculty & professionals about different approaches & career paths
- Take courses that meet requirements & fuel your passions/interests
Making Progress
- Complete mandatory advising & continue to meet with advisor as needed to discuss your degree plan
- Explore international study programs in Learning Abroad
- Apply for scholarships through the department, college, and university
- Consider applying to live in the Fine Arts House in Officer's Circle
- Look into internships or service learning to enhance your education & create networking opportunities
Finishing Up
- Consider involvement in a Student Advisory Committee (SAC)
- Complete any required senior seminars or capstone experiences
- Participate in graduation events & activities
Impact
Getting Started
- Use your ArtsPass to access events
- Explore the college's Create Success Initiative for helpful information about things to do early and often to support your academic success
Making Progress
- Go on an alternative break trip or explore other community service projects through the Bennion Center
- Focus on making and creating art to present in a variety of formats
- Engage and interact in cultural events and activities offered by the U and in the larger cultural community (see events calendar)
- Work individually or in larger collaborative groups to present research or art
Finishing Up
- Create a business venture to feature your art
- Consider taking on projects/work through consignments or other venues
- Present art or research - talk to your professors about local/national conferences
Careers
Getting Started
- Activate and customize Handshake & LinkedIn accounts or visit the Career Studio
- Apply for an Emerging Leaders Internship
- Create or finalize an internship plan
Making Progress
- Meet with the Internship Coordinator in the College of Fine Arts to discuss your internship plan
- Monitor the ArtsForce Canvas page for internship opportunities
- Check out resources like Bennion Center, UROP, Learning Abroad, or the CPDC for additional support and opportunities to build your resume
- Maintain professional social media accounts and network via LinkedIn or Instagram
Finishing Up
- Meet with a Career Coach in the CPDC to practice interviewing and salary negotiation, refine your resume, or discuss career plans
- Apply to grad school, if desired
Start Your Career Journey
Find support at the Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC)
About the Major
If you are passionate about art making, research, critical discourse, and teaching, consider pursuing an Art BFA degree in the Department of Art & Art History at the U. The Art BFA program challenges, immerses, and ultimately prepares you for a rewarding career in the arts. You begin with First-Year Foundation courses that cover topics such as action, construct, evidence, illusion, mapping, matrix, seeing, and touch, as well as introductions to art history and visual language. These foundation courses allow you to explore our major emphasis areas before you select one as your focus - Ceramics, Illustration, Painting & Drawing, Photography/Digital Imaging, Printmaking, or Sculpture Intermedia. After declaring an emphasis, you will take a range of specialized courses in that area and have the opportunity to work closely with faculty who offer mentorship in innovation, critical thinking, and exploration with a focus on interdisciplinary collaboration. As an Art BFA student, you can also engage in undergraduate research, internships, and learning abroad experiences, and get involved in our College of Fine Arts student clubs and programs such as ArtsForce and ArtsPass. This major allows you to understand contemporary art theories, engage with new forms, and explore art as an active part of culture today. An Art BFA degree from the University of Utah prepares you for advanced training at the graduate level and to pursue an exciting career in creative expression.
Learning Outcomes
- Gain functional competence with principles and elements of design and demonstrate the techniques and technologies needed to realize artistic goals
- Be able to formulate and express ideas through creative problem solving in the production of contemporary visual art and design research into creative processes, by gaining knowledge to identify, critically analyze, and assess information from a variety of sources and perspectives
- Demonstrate a general understanding of major historical and contemporary concepts, theories, and approaches to research in the study of visual art and design
- Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental concepts, visual expression, and professional standards related to visual arts locally, nationally and globally
- Present work that demonstrates the technical facility and conceptual understanding needed for entry into professional art practice or to undertake graduate study in an academic or professional program
- Possess the research and communication skills necessary to understand and participate in the field of visual arts and design
Plan & Prepare
At the U, we plan for our students to have an exceptional Educational Experience identified by four broad categories we call the Learning Framework: Community, Knowledge & Skills, Transformation, and Impact. This major map will help you envision, explore, design, and plan your personalized Exceptional Education Experience with the Learning Framework at the core. In addition to assisting you in planning your coursework and navigating the requirements of your major, this map will help you incorporate other kinds of experiences to expand your knowledge, support your development, and prepare you for the future you want.