Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art
Create, design, innovate.
THE BACHELOR OF ARTS IN STUDIO ART offers instruction in painting, drawing, sculpture, digital media, printmaking, art theory, art history and graphic design. Majors learn foundational skills, explore various media and find their artistic voices to create compelling art. Through hands-on making and critical evaluation, students develop their creativity and skills in analysis, along with revision and refinement abilities crucial for the next generation of artists, designers, arts administrators, arts advocates and educators.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT
The Department of Art at the University of Maryland is a strong community of creative innovators. It offers undergraduate degrees in studio art and immersive media design. World-class faculty and visiting artists bring professional experience to the studio, providing a contemporary context for the development of skills and ideas. Studio class sizes are small, ensuring personalized attention.
COURSEWORK
Studio art coursework explores composition and its applications through traditional making and emerging technologies. Students have the freedom to experiment with a variety of media including painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, digital media and graphic design. All studio art majors start on an open program track that stands on its own or pairs well with the art education curriculum or another second major, such as immersive media design. After completion of foundational courses, majors may stay on the open track or participate in a competitive portfolio review to be considered for admission to the advanced specialization or graphic design tracks. Students have access to fully- equipped studios and cutting-edge technology including 3D scanners, depth-sensing cameras, laser cutters and circuitry equipment. Scholarships and opportunities for internships, research, exhibiting and gallery work are available.
Career Readiness
The College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU) offers courses designed to ensure students are ready to enter the workforce, along with integrated and individualized academic and career advising. Alumni continue on to graduate school or forge their careers in a variety of industries and fields. The creative ways to apply your ARHU degree are truly limitless! Here are some placements specific to studio art majors:
Internship Placements
- The Baltimore Museum of Art
- National Geographic
- Smithsonian Institution
- The Washington Post
Graduate School Placements
- American University
- New York University
- Pratt Institute
- Savannah College of Art and Design
Employer Placements
- National Museum of Women in the Arts
- Next Day Animations
- Nike
- The Phillips Collection
Course Examples
- Art and Electronics
- Illustration
- Interactive Design
- Metal Casting
- Painting on Site
- Screen Printing
Alumni Job Titles
- Artist Arts Coordinator
- Arts Teacher
- Creative Associate
- Creative Technologist
- Event Experience Manager
- Graphic Designer
- Museum Curator
- Software Engineer
Major Tracks
Track 1: B.A. in studio art.
This is an open program with no portfolio admission requirement. This track provides ample space for outside electives, encourages interdisciplinary interaction, and provides double major or double degree possibilities. The Art Education Curriculum works with Track 1. Credit requirements: 36 credits in studio art and 12 credits in supporting courses in art history and/or art theory, for a total of 48 credits.
Track 2: B.A. in studio art with advanced specialization.
This track is restricted to students admitted by competitive portfolio review and is aimed at students who envision graduate study or professional careers in art. Students accepted into this track will complete, in addition to the requirements for Track 1, a 12 credit advanced specialization in specific media areas, including ARTT 481: “Advanced Specialization Seminar.” Areas of specialization include: digital media, painting, printmaking, sculpture and intermedia. Credit requirements: 48 credits listed in Track 1 plus 12 credits in advanced specializations, for a total of 60 credits.
Ready to Apply?
All applicants will use the Scholarship Universe portal. The link will be activated on the first day of classes following Spring Break and will remain available until 4:00 p.m. on April 15th.
You will be prompted to upload your materials and information as you work your way through the online application.
Application Materials
For application materials, view this PDF.
Track 3: B.A. in studio art with a concentration in graphic design.
This track is restricted to students admitted into the graphic design concentration through a competitive portfolio review. This program provides a pre-professional orientation emphasizing interactive design, graphic design theory and interdisciplinary research. Students accepted into the graphic design program must complete a specific sequence of courses at both the 300 and 400 level. Graphic design courses are only available to students who have been admitted to the graphic design concentration. Credit requirements: 21 credits in foundation and studio art electives and 12 credits in supporting courses in art history and/or theory (ARTT 361: “Design Literacy: Decoding Our Visual Culture,” a graphic design concentration requirement, satisfies 3 credits of the supporting area for graphic design students) for a total of 60 credits.
Students interested in Track 3 must have completed or be enrolled in the required foundation courses to apply to the specialization. The strict course requirements in graphic design make early application to Track 3 optimal. Students may re-apply one time.
Our Honors Program
The Department of Art Honors Program is offered to a select number of upper-level undergraduate studio art majors. This competitive program allows students to work in private studios, partake in the honors seminar and participate in the honors thesis exhibition during their senior year.
Check out the Honors Program page for more information on the Department of Art honors program, including application form.
Awards and Fellowships
Numerous awards and fellowships are available for students in the major as well. These awards include the Creative and Performing Arts Scholarship, which awards full in-state tuition for one academic year, and the John Dorsey Prize for Outstanding Curatorial Practice, which awards the winner with a budget to be used for the curation, promotion and exhibition of a dedicated show in the Herman Maril Gallery.
Check out the Scholarships and Awards page for a full list of all awards and fellowships offered to undergraduate art majors.
Visiting Artists and Scholars
The Department of Art boasts a strong Visiting Artist Lecture series as well. Recent visiting artists have included Laurie Anderson, Sanford Biggers, Chakaia Booker, Oliver Herring and Ellen Lupton.
BOLDLY HUMAN FEARLESSLY CREATIVE
ABOUT THE COLLEGE
When you join the University of Maryland College of Arts and Humanities (ARHU), you become part of a supportive and inclusive community committed to solving the world’s grand challenges. ARHU is reimagining an education in the arts and humanities by empowering students to make sense of the world using empathy, creativity and intellectual rigor. Our faculty and staff experts are focused on preparing competitive, versatile and visionary leaders equipped to address the complexities of the human experience. Graduates are purposefully prepared for successful careers and fulfilling lives.