As images have become a greater part of contemporary life, the visual arts play an increasingly vital role in society. The study of art allows one to explore and develop an understanding of the cultural and historical context of art as well as developing the creative, conceptual and technical skills to produce art that expresses important human thoughts, emotions and values.
About The Program
The Art Program offers courses in studio art and art history, balancing art production with an awareness of related cultural values. The art major consists of core courses in studio art and art history, upper-level electives in a choice of media, and a choice of two capstone options. Students planning art education or studio careers take one additional credit hour of studio research and a capstone that involves creating a body of work and exhibiting it. The internship course serves as the capstone for students planning art therapy or gallery/museum careers. Class work is supported by ongoing art exhibitions in two campus gallery spaces and by field trips to local and regional museums and galleries, further enriching the curriculum. Minors are offered in both studio art and art history. Students should select courses for
the minor according to their interests or to strengthen skills needed for art-related careers in communications, design, business, recreation, therapy, arts management, and other creative fields. After completion of the undergraduate degree, art majors may also earn endorsement for teaching art K-12 through an additional year of study in the Master of Arts in Education (MAEd) program which includes specific education courses and in-service teaching.
Major: Art (BA)
Minors: Art History, Studio Art
Chair of Fine and Performing Arts: Bryson Mortensen
School: Susan S. Goode School of Arts And Humanities
Why Study Art at VWU?
Hands-on Learning
VWU’s location is rich with museums, art centers, public art, and artists’ studios enabling students to complete internships and research projects in a wide variety of cultural organizations.
Travel Photography
Take our ART 307 course and take advantage of VWU’s great location and travel to the Virginia Beach resort area, N.C. Outer Banks, and Colonial Williamsburg. Learn about the advanced features of digital cameras, and use Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to edit images. Sign up for the optional travel to London, Paris, and Amsterdam.
Neil Britton Art Gallery
The 1,200 square-foot Neil Britton Art Gallery engages both the Coastal Virginia and University communities in the visual arts through changing exhibitions and programs that include the work of both professional artists and students.
Career Outcomes
From work on community service projects such as outdoor murals to creating artwork for medical facilities, art students have opportunities to apply their talents in the community. Students have served as post-graduate Art Department interns, continuing to produce their own artwork, exhibiting on campus and assisting with teaching studio courses. Art graduates have skills and attributes that are increasingly sought after which allow them to innovate and collaborate in today’s creative economy. Graduates receiving the B.A. in Studio Art have gone on to careers in art, design, teaching, arts management, and communication. Several have completed a highly competitive post-graduate Glass Assistantship at the Chrysler Museum of Art. Others have completed graduate programs in art education, illustration, art therapy, and other creative fields.