The Division of Art provides a challenging environment for the study of studio art within a multi-faceted arts school at a major liberal arts university. We offer two undergraduate degrees, the B.F.A. and B.A. in studio art, as well as graduate study leading to the M.F.A. degree. Each of our undergraduate degrees is based in an innovative program of Foundation studies and broad experiences in ways of seeing, ways of making, and ways of thinking. We place equal emphasis on the development of our students’ formal, conceptual and critical knowledge in painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, photography, ceramics and intermedia. Through studies in art history, critical seminars and directed tutorials, students develop their awareness of the context of art today and its future possibilities. We also offer a unique program in which the B.F.A. can be integrated with the Master’s of Interactive Technology (M.I.T.) at the Guildhall, SMU's school of video game development. Students are encouraged to work across media and in ways that integrate with other studies. Each degree culminates in a focused concentration, based in intensive work and critical discussion that is individual and true to your ideas and ambition.
B.A. Art
The B.A. in Art is designed to offer students a degree in art that allows time for significant study in another discipline as well, making room for double majors and extensive study in the humanities, sciences, etc., and gives students with many interests in advanced study a sound footing in the visual, tactile, and conceptual capabilities, historical and cultural knowledge, and theoretical and analytical bases for making art.
B.F.A. Studio Art
The B.F.A. in Studio Art prepares students to become professional artists, engage in a variety of professions in the arts, or continue studies at the graduate level, through studies in seven broad areas of media and conceptual approach — Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking, Photography, Intermedia, and Ceramics. Students can individually form a concentration to address both either investigation of a single medium or broad connections to other fields of study with art, Meadows, or the university at large.
B.F.A. Studio Art/M.I.T. Digital Game Development at the Guildhall
In conjunction with the Guildhall, the Division of Art offers a B.F.A. in Studio Art/ M.I.T. Digital Game Development that coordinates with the Art Creation and Level Design tracks in Game Development.
Art Minor
The Minor in Art is designed to give a coherent structure to a brief but serious investigation of studio art – an investigation that focuses on understanding and forming visual imagery.
Photography Minor
Students completing the Minor in Photography can expect to obtain a sophisticated understanding of the photographically derived image and the technical and creative skills necessary for its production.