Studio Art
Degrees in Studio Art combine a variety of skills with a liberal arts education. The programs are designed to support students’ acquisition of conceptual and technical skills while fostering their awareness of current issues, theoretical frameworks, as well as the historical and cultural contexts for art production.
Choose Your Degree
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)
The BFA degree is for students who wish to develop the knowledge, skills, concepts, and sensitivities essential to professional art practice.
More information about the BFA in Studio Art
Bachelor of Arts (BA)/ Science (BS)
The B.A. and B.S. degrees are for students who wish to emphasize the breadth of experience or for students who want to combine art studies with another academic area.
More Information on the BA/BS in Studio Art
Minor in Studio Art
The Studio art minor degree is for students who wish to pursue their interest in the visual arts next to their majors.
More Information about the Studio Art Minor
Declaring Your Studio Art Degree Upon Start at GVSU
You can now declare your Studio Art Major or Minor directly in Banner for any degree. No admissions portfolio is required!
Transfer to GVSU for Your Studio Art Degree
Whether you are transferring to GVSU from a community college or another four-year institution, starting at a new university creates unique opportunities.
BFA Emphases Areas
When declaring the BFA, you will need to declare an emphasis to complete this process. You must choose between Ceramics, Graphic Design, Illustration, Jewelry and Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Visual Studies. The Studio Art BFA Major considers this your preliminary Emphasis Selection. You can change your emphasis later if you wish to do so.
Ceramics
Graphic Design
Illustration
Jewelry and Metals
Painting
Printmaking
Sculpture
Visual Studies
“"The rigor of my courses developed in me a discipline to not give up when the task might be challenging and push me out of my comfort zone as an artist/person."”
—
Mary Lamson-Burke, BFA, Studio Art/Ceramics, 1997
A Commitment to Art Foundation Skills
Art Education and Studio Art students complete between 4 and 5 foundation courses. These courses emphasize drawing, design, and problem-solving skills. This shared curriculum provides students with the conceptual, technical, and critical skills necessary for later studio work.
Alumni Results
Graduates of the Studio Art programs possess knowledge, experience, and unique skills that are highly desirable and transferable, enabling them to seek employment in career fields both within and outside the fine arts. Art degrees can lead to future work opportunities in a gallery, non-profit cultural organization, or museum.
Careers in Studio Art
Studio Art majors develop careers as independent artists or designers, can work in galleries, arts organizations, and museums, and pursue graduate work and/or university teaching. Below is a list of possible career opportunities for Studio Art majors:
- Arts Entrepreneur
- Ceramist
- Jewelry designer, Metalsmith, Goldsmith
- Painter (portrait artist), Muralist
- Printmaker/screen printer
- Sculptor
- Graphic Designer, User Interface Designer, Web Designer, Layout Designer
- Logo & Branding Designer
- Time-based artist
- Gallery owner/assistant/director/ curator
- Exhibition planner/coordinator
- Prop designer/fabricator, Modelmaker
- Window Display Designer
- Pattern Designer (wallpapers, carpets, etc.)
- Concept Artist, Cartoonist, graphic novelist
- Community-based organizer
Career Facts
|
Fact |
Craft and Fine Artist |
Graphic Designer |
Web Developers/Digital Designers |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2023 Median Pay |
$52,910 per year |
$58,910 per year |
$92,750 per year |
|
Work Experience in a Related Occupation |
None |
None |
None |
|
On-the-job Training |
Long-term on-the-job training |
None |
None |
|
Number of Jobs |
54,600 |
270,900 |
216,700 |
|
Job Outlook (2022–2032) |
4% (as fast as average) |
3% (as fast as average) |
16% (much faster than average) |
|
Employment Change (2022–2032) |
2,400 |
8,900 |
34,700 |
Pay Us a Visit!
Prospective Students are invited to contact the Department for a tour visit, held throughout the academic year. You can also attend a Laker Experience Day and stop by!
