Rebecca Guyette, BA, Art Education, 2006
" It's not always clear what the next steps are, but that's okay. You may have to carve your own path."
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
- Minor 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
Want to take an art and media class? Check out these options!
VMA Events
Upcoming Exhibition: Megan Matthews
March 29, 2026 All Day
Upcoming Exhibition Megan Matthews Student Artist Exhibition Show Dates: March 29th – April 2nd, 2026 Padnos Student Art Gallery, Calder Arts Center, Valley Campus Opening...
Artist Talk: Maria Gambino
April 2, 2026 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Exploring the Interconnectedness of Art and Ecology Join us at the Grand Rapids Art Museum (GRAM) for an evening with Maria Gambino, the current Padnos Distinguished Artist in Residence at Grand...
Upcoming Exhibition: BFA Graphic Design
April 6, 2026 All Day
Upcoming Exhibition BFA Graphic Design Student Artist Exhibition Show Dates: April 6th – April 9th, 2026 Padnos Student Art Gallery, Calder Arts Center, Valley Campus Closing...
First Year Experiences
During their first year in the Department of Visual and Media Arts, students complete a set of core classes that are tailored to their area of study. No matter the area of study, these courses are essential for preparing for advanced classes and emphasize critical inquiry, discipline-specific methods, and hands-on experience.
Read more about the first-year experiences in Visual and Media Arts
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.
“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
Jessica Maclin, BFA, Studio Art - Illustration and Metalsmithing, 2013
"Don't be afraid to work with your hands! Working at a job that produces a tangible product at the end of the day is incredibly rewarding."
NICK CILIAK, BFA, GRAPHIC DESIGN, 2016
"My favorite memory of being a student was the collaborative feeling of the Calder Art Center. I feel like you could walk into that building at any time of the day and find other students to hang out with and work on projects with."
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
Grand Valley State University is an Institutional Member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).