Jen Surine, BFA, Jewelry and Metals, 2010
"And never underestimate an art student's skills at thinking about ANY problem creatively!"
An education in the arts lies between the practices of making, intellectual reflection, and an understanding of the relationship between visual media and society.
At Grand Valley State University, the Department of Visual and Media Arts encourages majors to explore and develop their individual sense of place as human beings in relationship to the world around them. The degree programs integrate the values of a liberal education while preparing graduates for intensive engagement with the production and examination of the visual arts.
Discover Your Potential at VMA
- BA in Art Education
- BS in Art Education
- BA in Art History
- Minor in Art History
- BA in Film and Video Production
- BS in Film and Video Production
- BA in Photography
- BS in Photography
- Minor in Photography
- BA in Studio Art
- BS in Studio Art
- BFA in Studio Art (emphasis in Ceramics, Graphic Design, Illustration, Jewelry/Metalsmithing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Visual Studies)
- Minor in Studio Art
VMA Events
EVENT: Love What You Do/Do What You Love
February 9, 2023 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Join fellow students and faculty in creating your own free hand-printed canvas tote! Free tote bags, Pizza, giveaways
EXHIBITION: Space Studio Exhibit
February 13, 2023 All Day
Padnos Student Gallery By VMA Students in Space Studio Reception TBD Show Runs Feb 13-23rd
Workshop: Social Media's Role
February 13, 2023 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
These workshops are led by visiting professionals, VMA, GVSU Alums and are catered creative professionals at a beginner level. They are hosted in the Visual Resources Center RM1049 CAC by current VMA...
Visit the Padnos Gallery
Visit the Stuart B. and Barbara H. Padnos Student Gallery to experience the works on display this semester. The Padnos Gallery is located on the lower level of Calder Art Center.
New Studio Art BFA Curriculum
Beginning fall 2022, requirements and courses in the Studio Art BFA degree have been updated.
“The skills at GVSU helped me prepare for real world experiences including how to continue to mold the minds of young artists to help them grow.”
—
EMILY MILLER, BA, ART EDUCATION AND MINOR IN ART HISTORY, 2014
Why study Visual and Media Arts at GVSU?
More than 25,000 students have chosen to study at Grand Valley, making us one of the largest universities in Michigan. We're big enough to have the impact of a major university and small enough to give you the support and resources you need to move forward and succeed. Read below why an arts education at GVSU will prepare you to succeed after graduation.
Find Your Voice
We support you during your exciting and challenging transition from learning in the classroom to learning in personal and professional worlds. Students are introduced to many avenues for their creative practice and develop the required skills to succeed in their field. Watch the video above that illustrates what the Department has to offer.
(Shot and edited by alum, Nick Beardslee, Film & Video Production, 2017)
Liberal Arts Education
Grand Valley's liberal education focus prepares students for life in a fast-changing world. It fosters a commitment to economic, social, and environmental sustainability and an inclusive campus that values diversity. Through this forward-thinking education, students are empowered to positively affect the global community now and in the future.
Scholarships
Scholarships help ensure that the best and brightest students can access a Grand Valley education and enrich our campus, regardless of their socioeconomic situation. They are a great resource to help reduce your reliance on student loans. Grand Valley has a wide variety of scholarships available to new and returning students.
Scholarships for Visual and Media Arts Students
10 Questions for our alumni
Elyse Flynn, BFA, Graphic Design, 2011
"Try to find a school that really feels right for you. Small, large, in the heart of a city, etc, what speaks to you? The people there, professors and your peers, should equally make you feel comfortable and constantly challenge you to grow."
Molly Labeff-Cabello, BA, Photography, 2016
"I really got a lot out of mastering analog photography in the program at GVSU. The way the courses were set up to deeply understand composition, highlights, shadows, time, lighting with film before moving onto digital was helpful for me."
Student works
The Department of Visual and Media Arts belongs to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Through our commitment to liberal education, CLAS strives to be an inclusive and equitable community of inquiry where students, staff and faculty collaborate to pursue and create knowledge, to enact global citizenship, and to engage and support our many communities.
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Website