Studio Art - BFA - Choosing an Emphasis
(This section was adapted from the document Choosing/Changing a Major: Identifying Interest and Skills, written by the University of Portland)
Choosing a emphasis area in the Studio Art BFA is a major decision. Mostly because you cannot earn a BFA without having chosen one. Therefore, you must practice some self-reflection when engaging in this process.
A reminder
When declaring the BFA degree, you will need to choose an emphasis area. The emphasis you choose at that time is a preliminary choice. At the end of exploration coursework, you can choose to keep your emphasis, or change to a new one for which you may have discovered a passion or an interest.
1. Finding Your Interest
First, you can consider some (or all) of these questions:
- What interests do you have? Think broadly here and consider subjects and other activities (e.g.: building things, art criticism, computer-based works, research, drawing, writing, public speaking, reading, community service, baking, sewing, etc.)
- What motivates you to pursue this degree?
- Do you have hobbies or a side project that you think can inform your emphasis choice?
- Which skills do you have, or would like to develop?
2. Identifying Your Skills
You already have way more skills than you think you may have. At the same time, just because you do something well does not mean you will always enjoy doing it. You can find out about your skills by looking at past experiences you may have had. Some questions that you can consider include:
- In what activities do you excel?
- Which skills would you like to use in your future occupation?
- In which academic areas have you excelled in the past? Where do you need the most improvement?
- Have you been recognized for a skill you may have? (note: this isn’t just art awards. Do your roommates admire and rely on you for your organization? That’s a valuable skill in any career!)
3. Identifying Life Goals
Your choice of emphasis will shape your academic experience and the beginning of your professional trajectory. Some questions that you can consider include:
- What’s your ideal workplace environment?
- Who is a person you know with a really cool job or art practice?
- Do you have broader concerns that can impact your education and professional trajectory?
Need Further Assistance?
If you need further assistance to define your Studio Art interests, you can do the following:
Talk to an Advisor
You can 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]
Take an Exploratory Course
There are many options in the major that allow you to learn more about a mode of practice you may not have heard of before.
Stay Curious
See the artworks on display at the Calder Arts Center, come to exhibition openings and guest lectures.
Meet peers at one of the Student Clubs
Pay attention to student club announcements about their meetings. You can meet a lot of new friends, and understand each program more while at it.