Art
Department of Art
Administration
Chair: Joseph Evan Ostraff
Department Information:
1100 WCCB
801-422-2064
artdepartment@byu.edu
Advisement Center:
1190 WCCB
801-422-3777
cfacadvise@byu.edu
Admission to Degree Program
The BA in Art is an open-enrollment program, as is the Art Minor. All other programs within the Department of art are Limited Enrollment programs. Admission to these programs is obtained by department application after completion of a set of prerequisite courses, which varies according to program. Students will have two opportunities to apply to their program of choice—one in March and one in November. Please see General Information below for more details, or contact the college advisement center (1-801-422-3777).
The Discipline
The Department of Art is a vibrant community of students, artists, and scholars working together to teach and mentor students in making art with integrity and thinking critically with a foundation in the Gospel. The department has an open structure allowing students to move freely between disciplines while developing as artists, scholars, and teachers. Students develop fluency in the traditions of art and teaching while being pushed to experiment and develop strong conceptually grounded artistic voices. Students can focus on one area of exploration or can work out an interdisciplinary program of study. Students have access to specialized classrooms, labs, and studio spaces, and work closely with faculty in small classes and a highly personalized and mentored environment.
Career Opportunities
The BA and BFA in Art train students as artists and creative problem solvers. Graduates are prepared to function as independent artists and creative thinkers in a range of disciplines. Graduates successfully pursue graduate studies in art and other disciplines at major universities and art schools around the globe, work as independent artists, find employment as arts administrators and art professionals at galleries, museums, universities and other art related professions.
The art education degree certifies the student as an art specialist in public or private institutions, grades K–12. Other opportunities for the certified art specialist are in foreign school systems, recreation programs, art museum education programs, and galleries. Students qualify for positions in artist-in-the-schools programs and arts councils and as art consultants/coordinators. The degree also provides a foundation for graduate study leading to advanced degrees.
General Information
Prerequisite Core
All art and art education students must complete the freshman core program before applying to Department of Art programs. The freshman core will consist of the following majors-only courses: ART 102, 133, 226. AP credit does not fulfill this requirement.
Talent Awards
All BA, BFA, and Art Education pre-major students in the Department of Art may apply for talent awards by completing the application found online at https://art.byu.edu/scholarships-grants. The deadline for talent award applications is February 28th each year.
Application Procedures for Freshmen
High school students expecting to be admitted to BYU in Fall semester may apply for the talent award the November of the preceding year. If accepted to the Art program through the talent award, the student will be expected to enroll in the core that first Fall semester and complete the prerequisite classes.
BA and BFA Programs
The BA in Art is a highly interdisciplinary program encouraging students to combine varied disciplines and approaches to their creative and academic work. Students can pursue traditional art pathways or develop areas of focus moving fluidly between artistic practice, curation, education, business and relational aesthetics. In addition, students successfully leverage the liberal arts education received through an Art BA to achieve professional goals in law, medicine, business and other fields.
BA in Art students select one of four emphases of study: Art, Art Administration, Printmaking and Book Arts, or Art & Technology. Additionally, BA in Art students can apply to the BFA in Art after completing sophomore level art courses.
The BFA program is a professional degree focused on developing artists who function at the highest of levels and preparing students for graduate work in art. The program is a vibrant community of students and faculty working together closely in a wide range of disciplines. Students develop fluency in the traditions of art while being pushed to experiment and develop strong conceptually grounded artistic voices. The department and BFA program have an open structure allowing students to move freely between disciplines while developing as artists. Students can focus on one area of exploration or can work out an interdisciplinary program of study. Disciplines include Ceramics, Figure, New Genre, Painting/Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Students have beautiful classrooms, labs, and studio spaces, enjoy access to our museum of art and work closely with faculty in small classes and a highly personalized and mentored environment.
The BA in K-12 Art Education guides students both as artists and teachers through engagement with hands-on teaching, curriculum development, and studio work. Students acquire an understanding of schools, teachers, and students through supervised observations and teaching experiences. They also develop a professional portfolio, study contemporary and historical art, and immerse themselves in critical questions about life and creativity. Core classes in drawing, photography, and two- and three-dimensional design familiarize students with the basic principles, concepts, and techniques of various studio areas. Students develop the ability to work and teach proficiently across several areas of artistic expertise, i.e. drawing, photography, sculpture, painting, graphic design, computer graphics, ceramics, printmaking, film, new media/genre, installations, and relational aesthetics/social and public engagements. Graduates from this program are prepared to work as art specialists and are equipped with the skills to teach in primary and secondary schools. The teaching licensure gained as a part of the Art Education major qualifies its graduates for teaching positions in all 50 states.
To learn more about our degree programs, visit: https://art.byu.edu/degrees_and_licensure
Transfer Students
Transfer students in art disciplines must meet with the BA coordinator and the CFAC advisement center to determine transfer credit eligibility.
Degree Program Coordinators/Advisors
Coordinators are appointed to counsel students in each of the three majors: BA Art Education, BA Art, BFA Art. Coordinators will advise students about program objectives, course content and sequence, career goals, and other matters pertaining to their major field of study.
Department Probationary Status
Students can be placed on probationary status for the following:
Inadequate academic performance.
Unprofessional attitude and lack of commitment.
BYU Honor Code violations.
Licensure Option
The BA and BFA are professional degrees. A non-degree licensure option is available to the BA and BFA Art majors. https://art.byu.edu/degrees_and_licensure Please review the art education major requirements or contact the college advisement center. Note: This is not a second major.
Graduation Requirements
To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following university requirements:
● The University Core, consisting of requirements in general and religious education. (For a complete listing of courses that meet university core requirements, see here.)
● At least 30 credit hours must be earned in residence on the BYU campus in Provo as an admitted day student
● A minimum of 120 credit hours
● A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
● Be in good standing with the Honor Code Office
Students should see their college advisement center for help or information concerning the undergraduate programs.
Graduate Programs Available
This department also offers graduate degree programs in Art and Art Education. For more information, see Graduate Studies and/or art.byu.edu.
