BFA Studio
Program Coordinator: Mark Burns
Studio Art students approaching completion of their BA degree may elect to apply to the BFA (Bachelor of Fine Arts) Program. The BFA is a five-year degree; students in the BFA Program must satisfy the requirements their BA Studio’s degree’s concentration, then go on to take additional upper-division studio hours and BFA Seminar classes for the year following. Students applying for the BFA Program should have nearly completed the BA requirements. If admitted, candidates will submit a Change of Degree form to the Registrar to change status from BA to BFA candidacy.
The selection process is rigorous, and, once admitted, confers upon the student candidacy status. BFA degrees are recommended for students anticipating applying to graduate school, those preparing to seek gallery representation, or for students who may wish to spend an additional year to strengthen a portfolio.
The Fifth Year
The fifth year is one of intense concentration on studio work and research. Each candidate is assigned individual on-campus studio space (usually in the faculty hallways on the north side of Grant Hall) and will select a two-person committee from among the faculty to provide guidance with respect to their progress towards the degree. Committees meet formally in studio visits with the student four times each semester to prepare written assessment of progress. Candidates will prepare a formal slide lecture discussing their work; this may be presented during the first semester of the BFA year in conjunction with the Visiting Artist Program or during the second semester in conjunction with the concluding exhibition.
During the second semester of the BFA year, students continue to meet with their committees, and will concentrate on preparing the final body of work for the annual Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition. Formal final reviews of the candidate’s artwork produced in conjunction with the BFA Project course at the end of the final semester will determine whether the BFA degree is awarded.
Applying for the BFA
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BFA Application Schedule
- April 17: Deadline to submit application; can be obtained in Department of Art office
- April 24: Faculty review
To submit yourself for consideration in the BFA program, fill out the BFA Program Application and turn in to the Department of Art office by the deadline.
It is suggested that you verify the support of three faculty members who will speak for your application during the closed session of the formal review. You may also obtain a written recommendation from any members of the part-time faculty that you have asked to support your application; part-time faculty are not required to be present at the portfolio reviews. Turn copies of any written recommendations to both the BFA Coordinator and to Robin Mackey in the art office prior to the review date.
The Scholarship Coordinator will notify applicants by mid-April of space assignments. This information will be emailed to the address provided on application.
In some cases, applicants my begin setting up portfolio review spaces the evening before the review. Portfolio areas must be set up and vacated by 9:30am the day of the review. An artist’s statement to accompany the portfolio should be displayed prominently. Applicants may begin removing work once the review ends at 12:30pm. The Department of Art is not responsible for artwork left in place past the review period.
The faculty will meet to conduct formal portfolio reviews of applications for both BFA Candidacy and for applications for DeVos Scholarships on the first Friday of May. Artwork must be set up by 9:30am in the assigned space. Applicants display approximately 12-15 pieces of their work in any medium, though fewer works may be submitted, depending on the depth and quality of the pieces in question. Original works are preferred, but if originals are not available, print reproductions may be submitted. For digital media work, contact Helga Watkins at least one week in advance of the review date to arrange the display of your work in the computer lab if necessary.
