Application to Major

All students enter the School of Art as either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) studio art or art history major. Studio art students may continue in the BA track, or apply for admission into a BFA degree during their second year of study. During the first two years, all studio art students complete seven studio Foundations classes. In the second year, students also take 5 major area studio classes of their choice to aid them in finding a major. This coursework prepares students for portfolio reviews that are required for acceptance into a BFA major and usually occur in the spring of the sophomore year. This document outlines the application process and requirements for each major.

STEP 1: Contact the Chair of your intended major area to discuss the department's requirements and submission dates.

STEP 2: Complete:

Foundation series; ART 110, 113,114, 116, 117, 118 & 211*
3 Art History courses; AH 211, 212, 213, & 214 (choose 3).
5 200-level studio courses - at least two of these must be in the area of your intended major.

Student must maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 2.75 and a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 in their intended major courses.

STEP 3: See Chuck Reardon to pick up Application to Major form in the School of Art Office, Seigfred 528.

STEP 4: Submit your application materials to the Chair of your intended major area. All students must submit the following:

Application to Major form
Recent DARS
Letter of Intent
Contact Information (address, phone and email)
Portfolios for review. Work is evaluated in the following areas: problem solving, research/development, concepts/ideas, drawing skill, and other studio arts skills. The result of the review will be placed inside your portfolio.

STUDIO AREAS:

CERAMICS

Ceramic reviews are held each Spring

Must have completed at least two courses in ceramics and be enrolled in the third.
Portfolio works should consist of 7-10 ceramic pieces, 5-10 artworks from other media, 10 drawings and an artist statement. The work should show competency in ideation and technique, wheel-throwing and handbuilding.
Present work by individual appointment to area faculty at the end of fall and spring quarters. Contact the Program Chair to set up appointment.

GRAPHIC DESIGN

Graphic Design reviews are held in mid-May.

Students must have completed at least two courses in Graphic Design (you may be enrolled in third at application time).
Portfolios consist of 15-20 pieces, mounted on black sleeves, bound together with key rings or in a binder.
Students must pass the review to begin junior level courses.
There are orientations sessions throughout the year conducted by the chair in the Fall, and by the professors and students in the Winter and Spring. You are encouraged to attend all of these sessions. Materials and forms specific for application are distributed at these sessions.

PAINTING

Painting reviews are during the 8th week of Fall and Spring quarters.

Students must complete Art 275A and Art 276A prior to applying for the major (you may be enrolled in Art 276A when applying).
Portfolio works consist of 7 paintings, 5 other artworks and a one-page artist statement about your artwork.
Submit your portfolio to Room 507 and 508, on the 8th Friday of the quarter.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography reviews are during the Spring Quarters.

Students must have completed Art 281 and Art 282 prior to applying to major (you may be enrolled in Art 283 at application time).
Portfolios consist of 15 photographs representing your strongest work, and a one-page statement about your artwork.

PRINTMAKING

Printmaking reviews are eighth week of fall and spring quarters.

Students must complete a least one printmaking course and be enrolled in a second printmaking course prior to submitting artwork for review.
Portfolios should include 5-10 print-related works, at least 5 drawings, and an optional addition of no more than 5 works in other media. Works that will not fit in a standard portfolio (i.e.; installation, large-scale, temporal, 3-D, etc.) may be represented by high-quality digital printouts.
Student must include a copy of their most current DARS and a 1-2 page written statement regarding their professional goals.

SCULPTURE

Sculpture reviews are held during Fall and Spring quarters.

Students must have completed at least one Sculpture course.
Portfolios consist of 4 pieces of current sculpture work and three other works in any media (may be slides, photos or actual work).
Must have a prepared statement about your work, which may be written or presented orally.