Studio Art - BFA - Curriculum and Requirements
UPDATED STUDIO ART BFA CURRICULUM LAUNCHED
BEGINNING FALL 2022 REQUIREMENTS AND COURSES IN THE STUDIO ART B.F.A. DEGREE WERE UPDATED.
For information about past curricula, please refer to the respective catalog year.
Paired with their studio courses, students in the BFA degree have the opportunity to broaden their practice by integrating other areas of study at GVSU through a robust General Education program that prepares students for informed citizenship, leading to responsible participation in local, national, and global communities.
Your 4-year BFA Experience
Years 1: Exploration
BFA students start their studies investigating multiple modes of practice in the Studio Art Major.
Year 2: Exploration
The exploration phase culminates in the Second Year Review when students confirm their Emphasis on the Studio Art Major.
Year 3: Focus
After the Second Year Review, you will have a confirmed emphasis area in the major, when you will actively engage with one of the many modes of practice in Studio Art.
Years 4: Culmination
In your final year, you will wrap up emphasis requirements and start preparing for life after graduation.
First-Year Guide
This page should help guide your first-year registration at GVSU. If you want to pursue a BFA in Studio Art declare your major and emphasis right away so you can get full advising. You can change your major at any time.
BFA Requirements
|
Requirement |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
12 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
3 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
27 |
|
|
9 |
|
|
12 |
|
|
≤45 |
|
|
Total |
≤126 |
Required Milestones
- Second Year Advisory Review
- Junior Review
- Senior Review
Foundations Courses (12 credits)
BFA-seeking students must complete four core classes included in the foundations curriculum. 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.
- ART 150 - Foundations: 2D Design & Color
- ART 151 - Foundations: 3D Design
- ART 153 - Foundations: Making and Meaning In Art and Design
- ART 155 - Foundations: Introduction to Drawing I
Film and Video/ Photography Course (3 credits)
BFA-seeking students must complete one course in Photography or Film and Video Production.
Ceramics, Painting, Sculpture
Students may select any studio course in Film/Video Production or Photography.
Graphic Design, Printmaking, Visual Studies
Students may select between one of the two courses:
- PHO 170 - Introduction to Photography
- FVP 125 - Media Production I
Illustration
Students may select between one of the two courses:
- PHO 170 - Introduction to Photography
- FVP 325 - Animation I (contains pre-requisites)
Jewelry and Metalsmithing
PHO 170 (Introduction to Photography)
3D Studio Elective (3 credits)
BFA-seeking students must complete 1 course in Ceramics, Jewelry/Metalsmithing, or Sculpture. This requirement must be completed for the Second Year Review.
3D Studio Elective
Ceramics Course Options
ART 275 - Ceramics: The Basics
Jewelry/Metalsmithing Course Options
ART 245 - Fabricating Adornment: Jewelry Basics and Design
ART 246 - Liquid Metal: Fluidity in Small Form
ART 348 - The Body Adorned: Constructing Identity
Sculpture Course Options
ART 270 - Sculpture: Creating/Building/Making
ART 271 - Sculpture: Digital 3-D Modeling and Design
ART 371 - Materials and Making: Digital Fabrication and Sculpture
ART 372 - Moldmaking and Casting: Digital Foundry in Sculpture
Emphasis Pathway Courses (15 credits)
BFA-seeking students must complete five pathway classes included in an area of emphasis. These courses emphasize deep engagement with one area of practice.
Emphasis Pathway Courses
Ceramics
ART 275 - Ceramics: The Basics
ART 376 - Ceramics: Process
ART 377 - Ceramics: Idea
ART 378 - Ceramics: Concept
ART 379 - Ceramics: Material
Graphic Design
ART 210 - Graphic Design Studio I: Introduction to Typography
ART 214 - Experience Design Studio I: Digital Interfaces
ART 310 - Graphic Design Studio II: Typographic Systems
ART 314 - Experience Design Studio II: Integrated Systems
ART 410 - Graphic Design Studio III: Branding & Service Design
Illustration
ART 281 - Fund. of Illustration: Ideation and Sequence
ART 282 - Fund. of Illustration: Materials and Techniques
ART 383 - Intermediate Illustration: World Building
ART 384 - Intermediate Illustration: Applied Design
ART 481 - Advanced Illustration: Narrative, or ART 484 - Advanced Illustration: Commentary
Jewelry/Metalsmithing
ART 245 - Fabricating Adornment: Jewelry Basics and Design
ART 246 - Fluidity in Small Form: Jewelry Casting
ART 347 - The Functional Metal Object in the Domestic Space
ART 348 - The Body Adorned: Constructed Identity
ART 349 - Jewelry and Metalsmithing: Process for Production
Painting
ART 260 - Introduction to Painting
ART 361 - Intermediate Painting I
ART 362 - Intermediate Painting II
ART 462 - Advanced Painting I
ART 463 - Advanced Painting II
Printmaking
ART 263 - Screenprint & Relief
ART 264 - Etching & Monotype
ART 363 - Screenprint & Relief II: Mashups, Mutations, & Multiples
ART 364 - Etching & Monotype II: Mashups, Mutations, & Multiples
ART 465 - Print Media Mixed: Signs, Series, & Stories
Sculpture
ART 270 - Sculpture: Creating/Building/Making
ART 272 - Sculpture: Digital 3-D Modeling and Design
ART 371 - Materials and Making: Digital Fabrication in Sculpture
ART 372 - Mold Making and Casting: Digital Foundry in Sculpture
ART 373 - Design and Materiality: Objects in Sculpture, or ART 295 - Space Studio: Art, Installation, Environment, or ART 296 – Time Studio: Art, Video, Sound, Action
Visual Studies
Students may combine their required coursework as such:
- 5 Visual Studies courses or
- 4 Visual Studies courses, and a related Studio course
VISUAL STUDIES COURSES
- ART 293- Image Studio: Art, Production, Meaning, Display
- ART 295- Space Studio: Art, Installation, Environment, Site
- ART 296- Time Studio: Art, Video, Sound, Action
- ART 391- Civic Studio: Art in Public
- ART 392- Curatorial Studio: Art, Exhibitions, Events
- ART 394- Interactive Studio: Art, Interface, Collaboration
RELATED STUDIO COURSES
- ART 270, ART 271, ART 371, ART 372, ART 373, ART 361, ART 363, ART 364
Studio Electives (27 Credits)
Students are encouraged to work with their advisors to determine which courses will suit their interests and requirements.
BFA-seeking students must complete nine elective courses in Studio Art. These courses broaden the student's engagement with the arts and expand their skillset across multiple practices and media.
- The elective courses must span across three different emphasis areas.
- You must take at least two courses in 2 areas
- See the course catalog for a full list of options.
- Students can choose from any course offered in the Studio Art major, except ART 149, 159, 209, and 350. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.
- Drawing courses can apply toward studio electives as well.
- Each emphasis can recommend up to 3 electives.
- Students can take 3 more credits in Photography or Film and Video Production
Recommended Electives per Area
Ceramics
Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.
For students desiring more engagement in the Ceramics emphasis, ART 478 (Ceramics: Advanced Studio) is suggested as an optional studio elective class. This course is repeatable and up to 6 credits in Ceramics will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.
For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.
Graphic Design
Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.
For students desiring more engagement in Graphic Design any additional Graphic Design courses are suggested. Up to 9 additional credits in Graphic Design will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree. These include:
- ART 217 - Graphic Design Internship Seminar (1 cr.)
- ART 313 - Graphic Design for 3D Experiences (3 cr.)
- ART 318 - Graphic Design Forum (3 credits)
- ART 491 - Internship in Studio Art (2 credits)
For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.
Illustration
Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.
For students desiring more engagement in the Illustration emphasis, additional Illustration courses are suggested. Up to 9 additional credits in Illustration will be applied toward the B.F.A. These include:
- ART 389 - Illustration Mentorship
- ART 481 - Advanced Illustration: Narrative
- ART 484 - Advanced Illustration: Commentary
For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.
Jewelry and Metalsmithing
Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.
For students desiring more engagement in the Jewelry and Metalsmithing emphasis (also known as JEM), both ART 347 and ART 349 may be repeated once. No more than 6 additional JEM credits may be applied toward the B.F.A. degree. Students are also encouraged to take ART 271 (Sculpture: Digital 3-D Modeling and Design).
For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.
Painting
Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.
For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.
Printmaking
Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.
For students desiring more engagement in the Printmaking emphasis, ART 368 (Alternative Photographic Print Processes) is suggested as a studio elective class. Students are also encouraged to take ART 293 (Image Studio: Art, Production, Meaning, Display).
For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.
Sculpture
Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.
For students desiring further engagement in Sculpture, both ART 371 (Materials and Making: Digital Fabrication in Sculpture) and ART 372 (Mold Making and Casting: Digital Foundry in Sculpture) may be repeated once. No more than 6 additional Sculpture credits may be applied toward the B.F.A. degree. Students are also encouraged to take either ART 245 (Fabricating Adornment: Jewelry Basics and Design) or ART 275 (Ceramics: The Basics) as a studio elective course.
For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.
Visual Studies
Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors in determining which courses will be appropriate for their interests and requirements.
For students desiring more engagement in the Visual Studies emphasis, any additional Visual Studies courses are suggested. Up to 9 additional credits in Visual Studies will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree. Visual Studies courses can be repeated once.
For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.
Culmination Courses (9 credits)
BFA-seeking students must complete three culmination courses in Studio Art. These courses prepare the student for life after graduation. The culmination courses vary per emphasis.
Culmination Courses
Ceramics, Jewelry/Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Visual Studies
ART 401 - Senior Seminar
ART 498 - Senior Project
ART 495 - Issues in Art (Capstone)
Graphic Design
ART 413 - Graphic Design Professional Practice Seminar
ART 415 - Graphic Design Senior Project
ART 495 - Issues in Art (Capstone)
Illustration
ART 414 - Portfolio: Illustration
ART 415 - Senior Project: Illustration
ART 495 - Issues in Art (Capstone)
Art History Courses (12 credits)
BFA-seeking students must complete four Art History courses. Studying Art and Design History allows the student to engage with questions of context, interpretation, how these concepts have changed over time, and to develop a critical practice. It transforms the way a student approaches their creative work. Students must complete the following:
- ART 221- Survey of Art History I
- ART 222 - Survey of Art History II
- Art History Elective I (300-level or above) (**)
- Art History Elective II (300-level or above)
(**) Students in Graphic Design must take ART 218; Students in Illustration must take ART 219.
ART HISTORY ELECTIVE OPTIONS
- ART 218: Design History (for Graphic Design emphasis students only)
- ART 219: History of Illustration (for Illustration emphasis students only)
- ART 322: Goths to Gothic: Medieval Art
- ART 323: Rethinking Renaissance Art
- ART 327: Art Since 1945
- ART 380: Topics in Art (courses with an art history emphasis)
- ART 399: Readings in Art History-Senior Thesis
- ART 420: Asian Art
- ART 421: Surrealism
- ART 422: Art and the Worlds of Islam
- ART 423: Animals in Art
- ART 425: Depicting a Nation: 19th Century American Art
General Education Courses (41–44 credits)
The Grand Valley State University General Education Program provides a broad-based liberal education experience that fosters lifelong learning and informed citizenship. The Program prepares students for intelligent participation in public dialogues that consider the issues of humane living and responsible action in local, national, and global communities.
Students must refer to the General Education Handbook for information on General Education Course Offerings.
General Education Requirements
Mathematics Placement
Please visit https://www.gvsu.edu/math/mathematics-placement-11.htm for more information.
Foundations Courses
- Writing (WRT130 or WRT150 Students must receive a grade of C (not C-) or better to fulfill this requirement.)
- Physical Sciences (1 course)
- Life Sciences (1 course)
- Science Lab (1 course)
- Arts (1 course; fulfilled by ART 153)
- Philosophy and Literature (1 course)
- Mathematical Sciences (1 course; MTH110 pre-requisite)
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (2 courses)
- Historical Analysis (1 course)
Supplemental Writing Skills (SWS) Courses
- SWS courses should be taken after fulfillment of GE Foundations - Writing.
- You must receive a grade of C (not C-) or better in GE Foundations - Writing and both SWS courses to fulfill this requirement.
- SWS Course #1
- SWS Course #2
(Note: SWS sections of ART 221 and 222 will fulfill your SWS requirement)
Cultures Courses
Global Perspectives (1 course)
U.S. Diversity (1 course)
Issues Courses
- You may choose your Issues courses from the same category (Globalization, Health, etc.) or from different categories.
- You must choose two courses from two different disciplines/course prefixes.
- If a course is cross-listed in two disciplines/course prefixes, your second course must be taken from a third discipline/course prefix.
- Issues courses must be taken at GVSU (except study abroad, see www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad).
- Issues courses have a junior standing prerequisite.
Required Academic Milestones
Second Year Review
The Second Year Review marks the conclusion of the introductory part of the program and supports the student with advising and planning for the remainder of their studies. A faculty review panel will assess craft, technique, strengths, and interests evident in the studio work from completed and in-progress courses.
Junior Review
The Junior Review assesses your progress in the emphasis area and in the broader skill set you have acquired up to this moment. A faculty review panel will assess craft, technique, strengths, and interests evident in the studio work from completed and in-progress courses.
Senior Exhibition and Review
To complete their Senior Project (ART 415, 416, or 498), graduating B.F.A. students must present their work in either a group exhibition or solo exhibition, reviewed by Studio Art faculty, and earn a grade of at least a C.
Questions?
If you have questions, please reach out to any of the three people in your Advisor Network.
- Your faculty advisor (see Who's My Advisor?)
- Doris Penn, CLAS Academic Advisor, [email protected]
- Sonja Wall, CLAS Academic Advisor, [email protected]