Department of Art

The Department of Art provides a range of experiences in the visual arts. The department offers diverse courses of study leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts in Art (within this degree, there are three options at the undergraduate level:  an Art Studio option, and an Art History option as BA-FA degrees, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts BFA in studio). At the graduate level there is the terminal degree of Master of Fine Arts (MFA). The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts programs are designed to open doors into the world of visual expression and intellectual development. In particular, we encourage students to sample a variety of art disciplines and make an informed choice about their direction in art. The department includes eleven areas of emphasis within which to develop a program: ceramics, drawing, digital media, graphic arts, integrated design, illustration, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and interdisciplinary studies. These are supported by a strong art history component.

Students with a BA in Art - Art Studio Option or the BFA in Art, should have a broad understanding of the visual arts with an understanding of arts-related concepts/terms (including subject matter, form, and content) and basic studio production, a grounding in art history, and an awareness of contemporary trends in art and theory. They should be able to articulate in visual form a range of approaches, from a representational point of view through a more conceptual focus, make critical judgments about contemporary art and culture, and have an acceptable command of verbal and written expression.

Students with a BA in Art - Art History Option are given broad exposure to the history of the visual arts. As an interdisciplinary field, art history is an intellectual arena in which students develop their perceptual skills and analytical tools to engage diverse art forms from multiple perspectives. Students begin with foundation survey courses, the History of World Art (ART 201 and ART 202), and then take upper-division courses to consider art from specific cultures and historical time periods. In these courses, students gain familiarity with contextual issues concerning the production and consumption of art. They develop research and writing skills necessary to think critically about art and visual culture. Students are also introduced to basic aspects of studio production to enhance their visual skills and knowledge of material practices. Students complete their studies by writing a thesis paper and developing knowledge of one foreign language.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with the BA in Art develop:

1. An ability to solve open-ended problems/challenges of artistic expression.
2. An ability to analyze the working methods of artists and the results of their efforts in a diverse and disciplined way.
3. An ability to communicate effectively through their artistic practice. Students will be aware of and engaged in a thorough way with art history, critical theory and visual culture in a way that considers a broad cultural awareness considering both local and/or global issues in order to make critical judgments about contemporary are while gaining a deeper understanding of their own personal values.
4. An in-depth understanding of the visual arts, art history, critical theory and visual culture, sufficient to prepare them to move into a professional career in the arts, including essential concepts and theories of studio production in a variety of disciplines, with a sophistication and refinement especially in a major field.
5. An ability to take risks in experimentation. This could mean breaking from usual habits. Trying new materials and methodologies in confirming the direction of their work.

Students graduating with the BFA in Art develop

1. An ability to solve open-ended problems/challenges of artistic expression.
2. An ability to analyze the working methods of artists and the results of their efforts in a diverse and disciplined way.
3. An ability to communicate effectively through their artistic practice. Students will be aware of and engaged in a thorough way with art history, critical theory and visual culture in a way that considers a broad cultural awareness considering both local and/or global issues in order to make critical judgments about contemporary are while gaining a deeper understanding of their own personal values.
4. An in-depth understanding of the visual arts, art history, critical theory and visual culture, sufficient to prepare them to move into a professional career in the arts, including essential concepts and theories of studio production in a variety of disciplines, with a sophistication and refinement especially in a major field.
5. An ability to take risks in experimentation. This could mean breaking from usual habits. Trying new materials and methodologies in confirming the direction of their work.

(Please note the substantive difference between the BA and BFA is overall credit load and required exhibition with successful review from faculty committee.)

Admission Process

Prospective applicants for admission to the major are responsible for acquainting themselves with all requirements and procedures. Details including specific course requirements and portfolio submission are available in the departmental office or at arts.wsu.edu.

Transfer Credits

The Department of Art will accept up to 18 credit hours in art toward the major and 9 credit hours in art toward the minor.

Graduate Study

The MFA program at Washington State University is a two-year interdisciplinary program where students may focus in, but are not limited to, ceramics, drawing, digital media, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. Emphasis is placed on personal and conceptual artistic development in light of contemporary art practices. Graduates meet with faculty for one-on-one studio discussions. The program culminates in a thesis exhibition held in the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art WSU. A final oral examination and a thesis document are also required. The degree requires 56 graded credit hours and 5 credit hours of thesis work (ART 700) totaling 61 credits.  The MFA Handbook is viewable at arts.wsu.edu.