Studio Art - BFA - Curriculum and Requirements

UPDATED STUDIO ART BFA CURRICULUM LAUNCHED

BEGINNING FALL 2022 REQUIREMENTS AND COURSES IN THE STUDIO ART B.F.A. DEGREE WERE UPDATED.

For information about past curricula, please refer to the respective catalog year

 

Paired with their studio courses, students in the BFA degree have the opportunity to broaden their practice by integrating other areas of study at GVSU through a robust General Education program that prepares students for informed citizenship, leading to responsible participation in local, national, and global communities.

 

Your 4-year BFA Experience

Years 1: Exploration

Student in the woodshop

 

BFA students start their studies investigating multiple modes of practice in the Studio Art Major.

Year 2: Exploration

Student

 

The exploration phase culminates in the Second Year Review when students confirm their Emphasis on the Studio Art Major.

Year 3: Focus

Exhibition

 

After the Second Year Review, you will have a confirmed emphasis area in the major, when you will actively engage with one of the many modes of practice in Studio Art.

Years 4: Culmination

Exhibition

 

In your final year, you will wrap up emphasis requirements and start preparing for life after graduation.

First-Year Guide

This page should help guide your first-year registration at GVSU. If you want to pursue a BFA in Studio Art declare your major and emphasis right away so you can get full advising. You can change your major at any time.

 

Visit the Studio Art - BFA - First Year Guide

BFA Requirements

Requirement

Credits

Foundations Courses

12

Film and Video/Photography Course

3

3D Studio Elective

3

Emphasis Pathway Courses

15

Studio Electives

27

Culmination Courses

9

Art History Courses

12

General Education Courses

≤45

Total

≤126

Required Milestones

  • Second Year Advisory Review
  • Junior Review
  • Senior Review

Foundations Courses (12 credits)

BFA-seeking students must complete four core classes included in the foundations curriculum. These courses emphasize drawing, design, and problem-solving skills. This shared curriculum provides students with the conceptual, technical, and critical skills necessary for later studio work. 

  • ART 150 - Foundations: 2D Design & Color
  • ART 151 - Foundations: 3D Design
  • ART 153 - Foundations: Making and Meaning In Art and Design
  • ART 155 - Foundations: Introduction to Drawing I

Film and Video/ Photography Course (3 credits)

BFA-seeking students must complete one course in Photography or Film and Video Production.

Students may select any studio course in Film/Video Production or Photography.

Students may select between one of the two courses:

  • PHO 170 - Introduction to Photography
  • FVP 125 - Media Production I

 

Students may select between one of the two courses:

  • PHO 170 - Introduction to Photography
  • FVP 325 - Animation I (contains pre-requisites)

PHO 170 (Introduction to Photography)


3D Studio Elective (3 credits)

BFA-seeking students must complete 1 course in Ceramics, Jewelry/Metalsmithing, or Sculpture. This requirement must be completed for the Second Year Review.

3D Studio Elective

ART 275 - Ceramics: The Basics

ART 245 - Fabricating Adornment: Jewelry Basics and Design 

ART 246 - Liquid Metal: Fluidity in Small Form

ART 348 - The Body Adorned: Constructing Identity

ART 270 - Sculpture: Creating/Building/Making

ART 271 - Sculpture: Digital 3-D Modeling and Design 

ART 371 - Materials and Making: Digital Fabrication and Sculpture 

ART 372 - Moldmaking and Casting: Digital Foundry in Sculpture

Emphasis Pathway Courses (15 credits)

BFA-seeking students must complete five pathway classes included in an area of emphasis. These courses emphasize deep engagement with one area of practice.

Emphasis Pathway Courses

ART 275 - Ceramics: The Basics 

ART 376 - Ceramics: Process 

ART 377 - Ceramics: Idea 

ART 378 - Ceramics: Concept 

ART 379 - Ceramics: Material

ART 210 - Graphic Design Studio I: Introduction to Typography 

ART 214 - Experience Design Studio I: Digital Interfaces 

ART 310 - Graphic Design Studio II: Typographic Systems 

ART 314 - Experience Design Studio II: Integrated Systems

ART 410 - Graphic Design Studio III: Branding &  Service Design

ART 281 - Fund. of Illustration: Ideation and Sequence

ART 282 - Fund. of Illustration: Materials and Techniques

ART 383 - Intermediate Illustration: World Building

ART 384 - Intermediate Illustration: Applied Design

ART 481 - Advanced Illustration: Narrative, or ART 484 - Advanced Illustration: Commentary

ART 245 - Fabricating Adornment: Jewelry Basics  and Design

ART 246 - Fluidity in Small Form: Jewelry Casting

ART 347 - The Functional Metal Object in the Domestic Space

ART 348 - The Body Adorned: Constructed Identity

ART 349 - Jewelry and Metalsmithing: Process for Production

ART 260 - Introduction to Painting

ART 361 - Intermediate Painting I

ART 362 - Intermediate Painting II

ART 462 - Advanced Painting I

ART 463 - Advanced Painting II

ART 263 - Screenprint & Relief

ART 264 - Etching & Monotype

ART 363 - Screenprint & Relief II: Mashups, Mutations, & Multiples

ART 364 - Etching & Monotype II: Mashups, Mutations, & Multiples

ART 465 - Print Media Mixed: Signs, Series, & Stories

ART 270 - Sculpture: Creating/Building/Making

ART 272 - Sculpture: Digital 3-D Modeling and Design

ART 371 - Materials and Making: Digital Fabrication in Sculpture

ART 372 - Mold Making and Casting: Digital Foundry in Sculpture

ART 373 - Design and Materiality: Objects in Sculpture, or ART 295 - Space Studio: Art, Installation, Environment,  or ART 296 – Time Studio: Art, Video, Sound, Action

Students may combine their required coursework as such:

  • 5 Visual Studies courses or
  • 4 Visual Studies courses, and a related Studio course

VISUAL STUDIES COURSES

  • ART 293- Image Studio: Art, Production, Meaning, Display
  • ART 295- Space Studio: Art, Installation, Environment, Site
  • ART 296- Time Studio: Art, Video, Sound, Action 
  • ART 391- Civic Studio: Art in Public 
  • ART 392- Curatorial Studio: Art, Exhibitions, Events
  • ART 394- Interactive Studio: Art, Interface, Collaboration

RELATED STUDIO COURSES 

  • ART 270, ART 271, ART 371, ART 372, ART 373, ART 361, ART 363, ART 364

Studio Electives (27 Credits)

Students are encouraged to work with their advisors to determine which courses will suit their interests and requirements.

BFA-seeking students must complete nine elective courses in Studio Art. These courses broaden the student's engagement with the arts and expand their skillset across multiple practices and media.

  • The elective courses must span across three different emphasis areas.
  • You must take at least two courses in 2 areas
  • See the course catalog for a full list of options. 
  • Students can choose from any course offered in the Studio Art major, except ART 149, 159, 209, and 350. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.
  • Drawing courses can apply toward studio electives as well.
  • Each emphasis can recommend up to 3 electives.
  • Students can take 3 more credits in Photography or Film and Video Production

Recommended Electives per Area

Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites. 

For students desiring more engagement in the Ceramics emphasis, ART 478 (Ceramics: Advanced Studio) is suggested as an optional studio elective class. This course is repeatable and up to 6 credits in Ceramics will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.

For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.

 

Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites. 

For students desiring more engagement in Graphic Design any additional Graphic Design courses are suggested. Up to 9 additional credits in Graphic Design will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree. These include:

  • ART 217 - Graphic Design Internship Seminar (1 cr.)
  • ART 313 - Graphic Design for 3D Experiences (3 cr.)
  • ART 318 - Graphic Design Forum (3 credits)
  • ART 491 - Internship in Studio Art (2 credits)

For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.

 

Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.

For students desiring more engagement in the Illustration emphasis, additional Illustration courses are suggested. Up to 9 additional credits in Illustration will be applied toward the B.F.A. These include:

  • ART 389 - Illustration Mentorship 
  • ART 481 - Advanced Illustration: Narrative 
  • ART 484 - Advanced Illustration: Commentary 

For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.

 

Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.

For students desiring more engagement in the Jewelry and Metalsmithing emphasis (also known as JEM), both ART 347 and ART 349 may be repeated once. No more than 6 additional JEM credits may be applied toward the B.F.A. degree. Students are also encouraged to take ART 271 (Sculpture: Digital 3-D Modeling and Design).

For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.

 

Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites.

For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.

 

Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites. 

For students desiring more engagement in the Printmaking emphasis, ART 368 (Alternative Photographic Print Processes) is suggested as a studio elective class. Students are also encouraged to take ART 293 (Image Studio: Art, Production, Meaning, Display).

For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.

 

Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites. 

For students desiring further engagement in Sculpture, both ART 371 (Materials and Making: Digital Fabrication in Sculpture) and ART 372 (Mold Making and Casting: Digital Foundry in Sculpture) may be repeated once. No more than 6 additional Sculpture credits may be applied toward the B.F.A. degree. Students are also encouraged to take either ART 245 (Fabricating Adornment: Jewelry Basics and Design) or ART 275 (Ceramics: The Basics) as a studio elective course.

For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.

 

Students can choose from any courses offered in the Studio Art major. Some elective courses may have prerequisites. Students are encouraged to work with their advisors in determining which courses will be appropriate for their interests and requirements.

For students desiring more engagement in the Visual Studies emphasis, any additional Visual Studies courses are suggested. Up to 9 additional credits in Visual Studies will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree. Visual Studies courses can be repeated once.

For students desiring more depth in Photography or Film and Video Production, additional studio work in either program is encouraged. Up to 3 additional credits in Photography or Film and Video Production will be applied toward the B.F.A. degree.

 


Culmination Courses (9 credits)

BFA-seeking students must complete three culmination courses in Studio Art. These courses prepare the student for life after graduation. The culmination courses vary per emphasis.

Culmination Courses

ART 401 - Senior Seminar

ART 498 - Senior Project

ART 495 - Issues in Art (Capstone)

ART 413 - Graphic Design Professional Practice Seminar

ART 415 - Graphic Design Senior Project

ART 495 - Issues in Art (Capstone)

ART 414 - Portfolio: Illustration

ART 415 - Senior Project: Illustration

ART 495 - Issues in Art (Capstone)


Art History Courses (12 credits)

BFA-seeking students must complete four Art History courses. Studying Art and Design History allows the student to engage with questions of context, interpretation, how these concepts have changed over time, and to develop a critical practice. It transforms the way a student approaches their creative work. Students must complete the following:

  • ART 221- Survey of Art History I
  • ART 222 - Survey of Art History II
  • Art History Elective I (300-level or above) (**)
  • Art History Elective II (300-level or above)

(**) Students in Graphic Design must take ART 218; Students in Illustration must take ART 219.

ART HISTORY ELECTIVE OPTIONS

  • ART 218: Design History (for Graphic Design emphasis students only)
  • ART 219: History of Illustration (for Illustration emphasis students only)
  • ART 322: Goths to Gothic: Medieval Art
  • ART 323: Rethinking Renaissance Art
  • ART 327: Art Since 1945
  • ART 380: Topics in Art (courses with an art history emphasis)
  • ART 399: Readings in Art History-Senior Thesis
  • ART 420: Asian Art
  • ART 421: Surrealism
  • ART 422: Art and the Worlds of Islam
  • ART 423: Animals in Art
  • ART 425: Depicting a Nation: 19th Century American Art

General Education Courses (41–44 credits)

The Grand Valley State University General Education Program provides a broad-based liberal education experience that fosters lifelong learning and informed citizenship. The Program prepares students for intelligent participation in public dialogues that consider the issues of humane living and responsible action in local, national, and global communities.

Students must refer to the General Education Handbook for information on General Education Course Offerings. 

General Education Requirements

  • Writing (WRT130 or WRT150 Students must receive a grade of C (not C-) or better to fulfill this requirement.)
  • Physical Sciences  (1 course)
  • Life Sciences (1 course)
  • Science Lab (1 course)
  • Arts (1 course; fulfilled by ART 153)
  • Philosophy and Literature (1 course)
  • Mathematical Sciences (1 course; MTH110 pre-requisite)
  • Social and Behavioral Sciences (2 courses)
  • Historical Analysis (1 course)
  • SWS courses should be taken after fulfillment of GE Foundations - Writing.
  • You must receive a grade of C (not C-) or better in GE Foundations - Writing and both SWS courses to fulfill this requirement.
  • SWS Course #1
  • SWS Course #2

(Note: SWS sections of ART 221 and 222 will fulfill your SWS requirement)

Global Perspectives (1 course)

U.S. Diversity (1 course)

  • You may choose your Issues courses from the same category (Globalization, Health, etc.) or from different categories.
  • You must choose two courses from two different disciplines/course prefixes.
  • If a course is cross-listed in two disciplines/course prefixes, your second course must be taken from a third discipline/course prefix.
  • Issues courses must be taken at GVSU (except study abroad, see www.gvsu.edu/studyabroad).
  • Issues courses have a junior standing prerequisite.

Required Academic Milestones

Second Year Review

The Second Year Review marks the conclusion of the introductory part of the program and supports the student with advising and planning for the remainder of their studies. A faculty review panel will assess craft, technique, strengths, and interests evident in the studio work from completed and in-progress courses. 

 

Learn More about the Second Year Review

Junior Review

The Junior Review assesses your progress in the emphasis area and in the broader skill set you have acquired up to this moment. A faculty review panel will assess craft, technique, strengths, and interests evident in the studio work from completed and in-progress courses. 

 

Learn More about the Junior Review

Senior Exhibition and Review

To complete their Senior Project (ART 415, 416, or 498), graduating B.F.A. students must present their work in either a group exhibition or solo exhibition, reviewed by Studio Art faculty, and earn a grade of at least a C. 

 

Learn about the Senior Exhibition and Review

Questions?

If you have questions, please reach out to any of the three people in your Advisor Network.



Page last modified October 5, 2023