Studio Art

The department offers a major in Studio Art leading to a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts (51 credits in the major), as well as a more intensive Bachelor of Fine Arts (72 credits). Both prepare a student for creative or professional work in various media.

The Fine Arts focus (painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, ceramics, and photography) gives a balance of theory and practice, an understanding of the intellectual and technical skills required in the fine arts, and preparation for a creative professional life as an artist.

All Studio Art majors must obtain at least a grade of C in any requirements for the major. Also, Studio Art majors may not attempt to satisfy a department requirement more than twice, and credit will be given only once for the same course, unless otherwise indicated in the course description. All Studio Art majors who intend to pursue the BFA must apply to the department with a portfolio. The department schedules a review of portfolios once each semester, shortly before departmental pre-registration, and students may apply at any time after their first semester as a major.

The BA with a Fine Arts concentration also provides part of the necessary background for the teacher of art in secondary schools. Students interested in teaching Studio Art at the college level should apply for the BFA program and plan to attend graduate school in an approved Master of Fine Arts curriculum. Students planning to teach one of the design professions at the college level should apply for the BFA program and specialize in one of its areas by electing supplementary design and media courses and then attend an approved Master of Fine Arts program.

Transfer students who want to major in Studio Art or Art Education must present a transcript, or a transcript and portfolio, to the deputy chair for Studio Art. They may be credited with up to 21 credits toward the major in studio art and 6 credits in art history courses. In addition, a transfer student may receive as many blanket credits in studio work as the deputy chair considers justified. All transfer students must take ARTS 350, 391, and, for BFA students, ARTS 392 at Queens College.