Source: https://guide.wisc.edu/undergraduate/education/art/art-bfa/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 11:05:22+00:00

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The Department of Art’s three degree programs provide students with the critical and artistic skills needed to excel in contemporary, multidisciplinary art and design practices. Degree programs are highly ranked at both the national and the international level, attracting talented students with excellent academic credentials and a passion for art and design.
UW–Madison art graduates are experts in creative problem solving, visual communication, teamwork and collaboration, and project management. These acquired skills and experiences can lead to fascinating and rewarding careers in animation, ceramics, glassblowing, metal fabrication, graphic and multi-media design, illustration, videography, photography, teaching and, of course, as a gallery artist.
Our graduates also work as iPhone and iPad app designers, medical imagists, technical assistants for major film companies, book designers, costume and float designers, jewelry fabricators and more. The Department of Art believes that hardworking students who learn to harness and nurture their creative energies today will be the people influencing progress tomorrow.
The art curriculum fosters positive collaboration and innovative art production while encouraging diverse points-of-view. Students develop unique, creative voices while enjoying the close-knit atmosphere of a department that prides itself on having a very low teacher-to-student ratio, with an average class size of 10–12 students.
Degree programs feature a rigorous foundation program, a set of six courses that students often complete by participating in the popular Contemporary Art & Artists First Year Interest Group (FIG), before branching out into one or more specialized areas such as ceramics, drawing, glass and neon, graphic design, papermaking, performance, photography, etc.
The art department has a remarkable history. UW–Madison was the first university to create a glass-blowing laboratory for art students. The printmaking programs are consistently ranked first in the country and the art metals program is currently ranked third. A large number of undergraduates go on to study in some of the most prestigious MFA programs in the country, and to exhibit their art in regional, national, and also international venues. The school's large faculty of world class artists is committed to the development of their undergraduate students.
The new Art Lofts Building is the home of state-of-the-art ceramics, glass, papermaking and bronze foundry facilities and a large art performance space. The Humanities Building houses a student gallery, and printmaking, painting, drawing, design, comics, photography, multi-media/digital, video/performance, metals, wood, and sculpture facilities, as well as art education classrooms.
The department offers three degree programs: the Bachelor of Science in Art, the Bachelor of Fine Arts, or the Bachelor of Science in Art Education. The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) degree program in art differs from the B.S.–Art degree by requiring a larger number of studio and aesthetic courses. This degree program is often selected by students wishing to develop a refined visual art portfolio in preparation for a career as a professional artist and/or for graduate study. The bachelor of science in art education degree program certifies students to teach in both elementary and secondary schools.
Students interested in the Art–BFA degree program initially enroll in the Art–B.S. degree program while completing prerequisite coursework and establishing other criteria for eligibility. A portfolio review is part of the BFA program selection process. Students will typically apply to the BFA program in their sophomore or junior year and must have attained a minimum of sophomore standing. An application may be submitted during the semester that the required courses will be completed.
New freshmen and off-campus transfers are admitted directly to the Art–B.S. degree program and receive an ART classification. Both art degree programs currently admit on-campus students to begin in the fall, spring, and summer. Requirements and selection criteria may be modified from one application/admission period to the next. Potential applicants should consult the School of Education's Apply to a Program page for updates to eligibility requirements prior to submitting an application.
Prospective applicants to UW–Madison are strongly encouraged to submit a portfolio to the Department of Art for review. Though a portfolio is not required, it does provide the art department an opportunity to make a recommendation on the applicant's behalf to UW–Madison's Office of Admissions and Recruitment. The Office of Admissions and Recruitment makes final determinations regarding the admission status of all applicants. Additional information, including submission guidelines, is available on the How to Apply page of the art department's website.
On-campus students should obtain a Professional Program Application. Complete and submit the application, as well as transcripts from all other colleges or universities attended, to Education Academic Services, Room 139 Education Building, 1000 Bascom Mall, at any time during the academic year. Applications cannot be processed without a complete academic record. (A transfer credit evaluation cannot be accepted in place of a transcript.) The program application must be signed by the undergraduate advisor in the Department of Art; call 608-262-1660 to schedule an appointment.
Applicants not already enrolled on the UW–Madison campus must be admissible to the university to enroll in a School of Education program. Admission to UW–Madison requires a separate application and admission process. See UW–Madison Office of Admissions and Recruitment for application information. Note that off-campus transfer students will be held to the UW–Madison admission GPA requirements. BFA candidates cannot transfer directly into the BFA program; instead, they will be admitted to campus as if pursing a B.S.–Art degree (ART classification) and can apply for the BFA program once enrolled on campus. Transfer students are strongly encouraged to meet with the Department of Art advisor prior to coming to campus; call 608-262-1660 to schedule an appointment. Prospective transfer students are strongly advised to meet with an Education Academic Services advisor in advance of their application; to schedule, call 608-262-1651.
Applicants who already hold an undergraduate degree are admitted to the School of Education as either an Education Special student or a second degree student, depending on their interests and academic background. Admission as an Education Special student indicates that that the student has an interest in pursuing certification in a subject area studied during the initial degree; another degree is not awarded for this "certification only" coursework. Second degree students are seeking a second, unrelated degree from the School of Education, which may, or may not, include teacher certification. Candidates for limited enrollment programs must meet all admission eligibility requirements for the program and must compete with the eligible applicants for program admission. More information is available here.
Previous Art–B.S. degree program status.
Cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.5 based on UW–Madison campus coursework, as modified by the Last 60 Credits Rule (detailed below).
Minimum 3.0 Art studio course GPA.
The portfolio must be submitted only after all prerequisite coursework has been completed or during the semester the courses will be completed. The portfolio must contain images of work completed in college art courses. Specific portfolio requirements will be announced prior to scheduled reviews, held near the end of the fall and/or spring semesters. Students not accepted into the BFA program will be encouraged to continue in the B.S.–Art program and will be allowed to present their portfolio for review one additional time.
The higher GPA of these two will be used for purposes of determining eligibility. If fewer than 60 credits have been attempted, all credits will be used to calculate the GPA. Graded graduate coursework will also be used in all GPA calculations. ("Attempted" coursework indicates coursework for which a grade has been earned.) For more information on this rule, see this link.
The Foundations Program requires six interrelated studio and aesthetics courses designed to prepare first-year students for further study in studio art and design.
Aesthetics coursework gives students an opportunity to study both the history of art and contemporary developments in the visual arts.
Major requirements permit in-depth studies of studio art. After taking courses in the Foundations area, students complete coursework in each of the four studio areas: 2D, 3D, 4D, and Graphics. BFA students are required to reach an advanced level in two studio disciplines.
The Art Foundations Program is a series of interrelated studio and lecture courses to be taken by art and art education majors in their first year as preparation for further study in studio art and design. The program addresses the fundamentals of art through investigation of formal, technical and conceptual issues. The drawing, 2D and 3D design, digital media, and art historical lecture classes are designed to expose, broaden, and challenge students' understanding of contemporary art production.
Art Foundations classes are meant to be taken concurrently and the information covered in them is interrelated. Students completing the Foundations Program should enroll in ART 102 Two-Dimensional Design, ART 212 Drawing Methods & Concepts, and ART 108 Foundations of Contemporary Art for the fall semester and complete ART 104 Three-Dimensional Design, ART 107 Introduction to Digital Forms, and ART 208 Current Directions in Art in the spring.
Most freshman art majors complete their foundations courses through participation in the very popular Contemporary Art and Artists First-Year Interest Group (FIG), which also creates a network of corresponding experiences and a peer community that will continue throughout the program and often beyond graduation. Students in FIGs enjoy studying with instructors dedicated to serving first year students, the opportunity to integrate related ideas from all three classes, and the ready-made opportunities to form support networks and lasting friendships.
Additional information about the Foundations Program is available on the departmental website.
The BFA program requires a total of 18 aesthetics credits, including four required courses. The remaining credits will be met by selecting from a list of aesthetics electives. Liberal studies coursework in fine arts and literature can also can count as aesthetics electives. Additional courses may be approved by the art department advisor.
If taken prior to summer, 2018, ART 438 may count toward either the aesthetics or studio requirements, but not both. Effective summer, 2018, it may only count toward the aesthetics requirement. This course is designed for students pursuing graphic design.
Select from the following to complete the required 18 credits. Liberal studies coursework in fine arts and literature can also double count as aesthetics electives.
The requirements listed here are effective for students admitted to the Art or BFA program effective summer, 2016. Students admitted prior to this time can find their major requirements listed in previous editions of the Undergraduate Catalog and on their DARS reports.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Program: Complete a minimum of 72 studio credits, including the specific coursework below. The BFA degree requires 126 total credits. Admission to the BFA program requires the completion of (or concurrent enrollment in) the ART 102, ART 104, ART 107, ART 108, ART 208, ART 212, and one course in each of the 2D, 3D, 4D and graphics areas. Students must have a 3.0 GPA in their studio coursework to be considered for the BFA program and have attained a minimum of sophomore standing. Successful participation in a portfolio review is also part of the selection process. Application may be made during the semester that the required courses will be completed. See How to Get In for details about the application process.
Major residency requirement. The BFA program requires that at least 36 credits of major studio coursework be completed in residence at UW–Madison.
Art and BFA degree students have priority access to studio courses. Note: Some courses are offered for 3 or 4 credits; it is preferred that the course be taken for 4 credits.
Select one course in each of the 2D, 3D, 4D, and Graphics areas. Students will also take ART 508 Colloquium in Art at least once and complete a 500-level or 600-level art studio course in at least two disciplines. BFA candidates are required to participate in an exhibit and concurrently enroll in a capstone course.
Complete a 500-level or 600-level Art studio course in two disciplines. ART 508 Colloquium in Art, ART 608 Interdisciplinary Critique in the Visual Arts, and ART 699 Independent Study will not fulfill this requirement.
BFA students must participate at least once in the department-sponsored exhibit, held in the spring semester. Requires concurrent enrollment in the professional practices/capstone course.
BFA students must enroll in this course during the required semester of participation in the department-sponsored exhibit. Currently, offered as ART 448 section 10; a unique course number will be forthcoming.
Select elective studio courses to reach the minimum of 72 credits.
Although a specific emphasis is not required, students may wish to develop an area of interest within the requirements of the BFA program. Concentrations in graphic design, multi-media, 2D studio, 3D studio, and printmaking are some of the available options listed on the art department's website.
These requirements are based on UW–Madison coursework.
2.5 minimum cumulative grade point average. This may be modified by the Last 60 Credits Rule.
Cumulative major grade point average: 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all major studio coursework.
Upper-level major coursework: 3.0 cumulative grade point average in all upper-level major coursework (Art courses numbered 214 and above, excluding ART 236 Bascom Course and ART 338 Service Learning in Art).
Major Residency: Students must complete at least 36 major credits while enrolled in residence on the UW–Madison campus.
Senior Residency. Degree candidates must complete their last 30 credits in residence on the UW–Madison campus, excluding retroactive credits and credits granted by examination.
Total Credits: A minimum of 126 credits are required for graduation in the Art–BFA degree program.
1. To expose, broaden, and challenge students' understanding of past and present art production and provide knowledge of historical, thematic, critical and theoretical issues.
2. To contextualize studio assignments and expand their verbal and visual vocabulary, supporting the development of critical thinking and writing skills.
3. To learn the fundamental elements of art through investigation of formal, technical and conceptual issues and to increase skills in researching and creative problem solving.
4. To introduce students in the Bachelor of Science in Art and Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Programs to art-making in four areas of practice, including two-dimensional, three-dimensional, graphic art, and interactive art. To broaden student understanding of the concepts and practices distinct to each area of discipline.
5. To facilitate a peer community among a like-minded and diverse cohort of students.
6. To facilitate advanced level competencies in at least one discipline for BS-Art majors and at least two disciplines for BFA majors.
7. To develop a skill set through professional practice experience in the context of an undergraduate art curriculum.
Prospective off-campus and on-campus B.S.–Art and BFA–Art majors will meet with the undergraduate art program advisors, Julie Ganser, julie.ganser@wisc.edu, and Branden Martz, branden.martz@wisc.edu, located at 6241 Humanities Building, 455 North Park Street. Appointments can be made by calling 608-262-1660. Students are also strongly encouraged to confer with an Education Academic Services advisor on a regular basis, see below.
Information about faculty, staff, and other contributors to the Department of Art can be found on the department's website.
Accreditation status: Accredited. Next accreditation review: 2025-2026.

References: ART 102
 ART 212
 ART 108
 ART 104
 ART 107
 ART 208
in fine
 ART 438
in fine
 ART 102
 ART 104
 ART 107
 ART 108
 ART 208
 ART 212
 ART 508
 ART 508
 ART 608
 ART 699
 ART 448
 ART 236
 ART 338