Art
Department of Art
Administration
Chair: Joseph Evan Ostraff
Department Information:
E-509 HFAC
801-422-2064
artdepartment@byu.edu
Advisement Center:
1100 WCCB
801-422-3777
cfacadvise@byu.edu
Admission to Degree Program
Admission to the Department of Art is obtained by department application after completion of the prerequisite core and a portfolio review. For further details, please refer to art.byu.edu. 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 artists and scholars focused on nurturing students working in a wide range of disciplines. Students develop fluency in the traditions of art and teaching while being pushed to experiment and develop strong conceptually grounded artistic voices.
The department has an open structure allowing students to move freely between disciplines while developing as artists, scholars, and teachers. Students can focus on one area of exploration or can work out an interdisciplinary program of study. 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.
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 prospective 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 students, pre-majors and accepted majors may apply for talent awards by completing the application found online at http://art.byu.edu/. The deadline for talent award applications is March 1st of every 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 pre-requisite classes.
BA Tracks and BFA Program
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 tracks: 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. https://art.byu.edu/undergraduate-curriculum/art/
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. https://art.byu.edu/undergraduate-curriculum/art/
Transfer Students
Transfer students in art disciplines must meet with the BA coordinator. Transfer students are required to participate in a portfolio review; the deadline is March 30th for Fall semester, Spring term and Summer term, and November 30th for Winter semester. Contact the BA coordinator.
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/undergraduate-curriculum/art-education/
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.
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. For more information, see Graduate Studies.
