Visual Arts

Linda Sullivan, Chair
E-509 HFAC, (801) 422-2064

College of Fine Arts and Communications Advisement Center
D-444 HFAC, (801) 422-3777

Admission to Degree Program

Admission to the freshman level in the Department of Visual Arts is obtained by departmental application, which includes a drawing exercise and a portfolio review. This process is due in February prior to starting in the fall. (This does not apply to the art history major, which is open enrollment.) Please see General Information below for more details, or contact the college advisement center (1-801-422-3777).

The Discipline

The Department of Visual Arts serves five main purposes: (1) to prepare competent professionals in various fields of the plastic and graphic arts; (2) to prepare qualified designers to solve problems inherent in two- and three-dimensional applications; (3) to train historians who can critically appraise works of art; (4) to prepare art educators for teaching the visual arts at the elementary and secondary levels; and (5) to generally develop individuals' aesthetic sense by helping them experience art.

Career Opportunities

The art education degree certifies the student as an art specialist in public or private institutions, grades K–12. Other opportunities for the certified art specialist are in foreign school systems, recreation programs, art museum education programs, and galleries. Students qualify for positions in artist-in-the-schools programs and arts councils and as art consultants/coordinators. The degree also provides a foundation for graduate study leading to advanced degrees.

Most opportunities for careers related to art history exist in teaching at the junior college and university levels. The art history major traditionally prepares students for related graduate study, but it also provides excellent training for many art- and humanities-related careers and provides a solid foundation for entering several professional graduate programs.

The art history major is valuable for those going into any aspect of museum work, including art conservation/restoration, curatorial work, museum research, and museum youth education programs. It is also a useful and often key undergraduate major for careers in art law, architecture, historical restoration, art galleries, auction houses, and art resource/research library studies. Local, state, and federal agencies offer career possibilities related to arts and humanities councils. Combined with one of several other majors, an art history minor helps prepare the student for any number of careers.

Studio art majors are prepared to compete as freelance, self-employed artists, working through galleries, exhibitions, and museums to promote and sell their work. The MFA degree also prepares artists to teach on a college or a university level. Other career opportunities include printmaking, illustration, production crafts, teaching, gallery and museum work, computer art applications, and other related careers.

Design majors are fully prepared for careers in each of the respective disciplines—

• Graphic design: Advertising agencies, design studios, in-house design organizations, freelance in mediums such as books, posters, signage, billboards, commercials, corporate identity systems, and logos.
• Illustration: In-house or freelance illustration focusing on book jacket, editorial, corporate, or institutional work; advertising, children's books, and computer applications, among others.
• Photography: Portraiture; commercial illustration; advertising; fashion; architectural photography; photo-journalism; editorial, stock, industrial, fine art, educational, medical, and travel photography; photographic conservation, marketing and manufacturing, and finishing.
• Animation majors are prepared to work in various disciplines that include feature animation studios, visual and special effect studios, entertainment, computer games, and scientific data visualization.

Graduation Requirements

To receive a BYU bachelor's degree a student must complete, in addition to all requirements for a specific major, the following university requirements:

• The university core, consisting of requirements in general and religious education. (See University Core for details. For a complete listing of courses that meet university core requirements, see the current class schedule.)
• A minimum of 30 credit hours in residence
• A minimum of 120 credit hours
• A cumulative GPA of at least 2.0
• Be in good standing with the Honor Code Office

Undergraduate Programs and Degrees

Majors

BA in Art Education (K-12)
BA in Art History and Curatorial Studies
BA in Visual Arts
Emphases:
Graphic Design
Illustration
Photography
Studio Arts
BFA in Animation
BFA in Graphic Design
BFA in Illustration
BFA in Photography
BFA in Studio Arts

Minors

Advertising Design
Art Education
Art History and Curatorial Studies
Theatre and Media Arts Design
Visual Arts

Students should see their college advisement center for help or information concerning the undergraduate programs.

Graduate Programs and Degrees

MA in Art Education
MA in Art History and Curatorial Studies
MFA in Studio Art

For more information see the BYU 2008–2009 Graduate Catalog.

General Information

Application Procedures for Freshmen

New students are accepted only once a year and may have their applications considered only twice. Enrollment is limited and based on several qualifications:

1. University and college admissions standards.
2. Completion of department application form.
3. Submission of slide portfolio.
4. Completion of creative exercise.

Appropriate forms are contained in an application packet available from the department office (E-509 HFAC) at the beginning of winter semester. Deadlines vary for specific programs, so please contact the department (422-8773 or 422-4266) for dates.

Note: Art history majors complete item 1 only.

Freshman Enrollment

Application packets must be returned before February 15.

Note: Individuals receiving notice of acceptance are expected to enroll for the foundation 100-level courses the first year they are accepted to the program; otherwise, they will automatically be dropped and will need to reapply. Anyone wishing for an exception to this policy will need the written approval of the department chair.

Sophomore-Through-Senior BFA Degree Program Enrollment

Permission to enroll for sophomore-through-senior-level BFA degree program courses is granted to students upon satisfactory development of skills and creative abilities demonstrated in a portfolio of drawings and designs completed during the preceding year. Faculty from each major will assess portfolios of work submitted by students wishing to advance in their respective fields of study. Students invited to continue are permitted to enroll in specified courses at the next academic level.

Note: Student portfolios will be reviewed once a year; the deadline is February 15.

Transfer Students

Transfer students in art disciplines must meet with the appropriate area coordinator. Transfer students in design disciplines are required to participate in a portfolio review; the deadline is February 15. Contact the area coordinator.

Note: Students not accepted into BFA degree programs may elect to enroll in one of the bachelor of arts programs in visual arts. Students may apply to the BFA program no more than twice.

Degree Program Coordinators/Advisors

Coordinators are appointed to counsel students in each of the eight majors/emphases. Coordinators will advise students about program objectives, course content and sequence, career goals, and other matters pertaining to their major field of study.

Department Probationary Status

Students can be placed on probationary status for the following:

1. Inadequate academic performance.
2. Unprofessional attitude and lack of commitment.
3. BYU Honor Code violations.

Basic Degree Requirements

1. Student must meet application criteria for admission into the program.
2. All 100-level foundation courses must be completed before admission into sophomore-level courses.
3. A portfolio is required in all programs except art history.