Studio Art - Major (BFA)

The BFA in Studio Art prepares students in the common body of knowledge and skills required for entry as a career artist/designer. BFA students develop technical competence, informed aesthetic judgment, and an understanding of the context in which contemporary work is created. They also receive sound instruction in other academic disciplines in order to have a full opportunity for success in the profession. The BFA in Studio Art puts the focus on developing thesis work that reflects interdisciplinary research and inquiry, as well as indicating a high degree of proficiency in one medium.

The BFA, which is often preferred for admission to graduate schools, equips students to compete in an art market in which technology and globalization provide increasing opportunities for cultural production and exchange. Diverse job opportunities include working as teaching artists, free-lance designers, studio artists, art administrators, architects, filmmakers, movie set sculptors, industry designers, art conservators, exhibition designers, curators, etc. Our students are particularly likely to combine art with other disciplines, giving them the tools to enter cross-disciplinary careers.

To be a fine artist requires vision, discipline, and daily practice. It also requires a supportive environment where creativity is encouraged and nurtured. Guided by professors who are artist/mentors, Nazareth BFA students develop a strong portfolio and an understanding of basic professional art practices, including the ability to organize projects and to communicate concepts and designs

The BFA in Studio Art degree requires 58 credits in art, including an Art Core of foundation courses in drawing, design, digital imaging, and advanced coursework as well as 12 credits in art history. Students then complete an Exploratory Core of five 200 level studios in order to explore a variety of media across 2D and 3D areas. These Intermediate level studio courses focus on introduction of art techniques and exposure to historical and contemporary work specific to the medium and provide opportunities to begin developing their own personal artistic style.

Students then declare their emphasis during an Emphasis Comprehensive Exams process fall of their junior year after which, they will complete additional courses in their Emphasis. A studio Emphasis consists of 5 total courses in a single medium and becomes the media focus of the student’s BFA Thesis Proposal and Senior Thesis Show. Students choose an area of Emphasis in either drawing and painting, printmaking, photography, jewelry/metalsmithing, sculpture, or ceramics. In advanced studios (Studio Emphasis and additional electives), the focus shifts to refining technique and articulating concepts, as well as preparing a career portfolio and a BFA thesis exhibition.

Students are not officially admitted to the BFA Studio Art major until they have successfully completed their Emphasis Declaration Comprehensive and maintained the required 3.0 GPA within the major. Students who do not make sufficient progress during Emphasis Declaration Comprehensive will default into the BS Studio Art Program (*detailed procedures available in the BFA Studio Art Handbook) 

Students must have an AP score of 5 to place out of any Art Foundation courses (Art 101, 102, 106, 107). The use of any art AP credit toward completion of the art major is discouraged. An AP score of 4 or 5 may be used as studio art elective credits.

Nazareth University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

1. Competency in studio practice: Attain competency in composing the elements of art with the principles of design in two and three dimensions.
2. Development of conceptual process in formulation of art works: Articulate idea development, develop visual communication strategies, and demonstrate technical facility in a range of media to convey concepts through their personal aesthetic.
3. Exhibit and analyze art with regard to cultural context: Understand and apply knowledge of significant historical, global, and contemporary achievements and issues in art.
4. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Student Learning Outcomes
5. Students in the Art and Design Department will show respect for all forms of diversity, practice, inclusivity, and engage in a continual process of education and critical self-reflection & dialogue.  Students will be able to: 

• Acknowledge that individuals of diverse racial & ethnic, gender & sexuality, religious, class & cultural backgrounds create art.
• Recognize that artmaking is an expressive practice comprising not only individual perspectives, narratives and experiences but also cultural, social, economic and political issues.
• Synthesize knowledge from multiple disciplines including diverse traditional and contemporary art movements with their own artistic and/or scholarly vision to create unique and meaningful works of art, design or scholarship.
• Analyze, reflect upon, discuss and/or write about their own and others’ works of art and design using culturally sensitive and inclusive language.
• Understand the ways in which traditional art associations (including collections, apprentice workshops, museums, galleries and academies) embody institutionally biased practices.
• Assess the symbiotic dialogue between artists and their culture, recognizing that they both reflect and influence each other.

Notes:

• Students who transfer into the BFA program must complete eight studio courses at Nazareth University to graduate with a BFA degree.
• Students wishing to pursue a BFA will be reviewed at the beginning of the Spring semester, Junior year. Students must have a 3.0 average in major (studio and art history classes) and submit a portfolio.