Buena Vista University's Art program is conceived as an integral part of the university's liberal arts curriculum and is designed both for the student artist and the student interested in art. The Art curriculum includes two courses in studio foundations, four courses in art history, and beginning and advanced courses in the five studio disciplines of painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, and graphic design. A course in photography is offered jointly between art and media studies.

The Art program provides students with an opportunity to actively participate in the shaping of their education. Courses are available in the traditional media and all involve direct experience in creative activity. The program is supported by well-equipped studio spaces with courses that are taught by faculty members who are producing artists/educators. The BVU Art major presents a solid base for continuing work in graduate school and art-related fields such as teaching, arts administration, publishing, or exhibition.

Major in Art (42 credit hours)

ART 201 Art Foundations I
ART 202 Art Foundations II
ART 301 Prehistoric and Medieval Art History
ART 302 European Renaissance Art History
ART 303 Baroque to Modern Art History
ART 304 Modern Art History
ART 310 Painting
ART 320 Sculpture
ART 331 Ceramics: Introduction to Wheel Throwing or ART 332 Ceramics: Handbuilding and Sculptural Forms
ART 340 Printmaking: Intaglio or ART 341 Printmaking: Lithography
ART 492 Senior Seminar
ART 493 Senior Exhibition

Nine credit hours from:
ART 279 Photography
ART 331 Ceramics: Introduction to Wheel Throwing or ART 332 Ceramics: Handbuilding and Sculptural Forms
ART 340 Printmaking: Intaglio or ART 341 Printmaking: Lithography
ART 349 Graphic Design
ART 410 Advanced Painting
ART 420 Advanced Sculpture
ART 430 Advanced Ceramics
ART 440 Advanced Printmaking
ART 449 Advanced Graphic Design
MDST 379 Advanced Photography

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Minor in Art (21 credit hours)

ART 201 Art Foundations I
ART 202 Art Foundations II

Nine credit hours from:
ART 301 Prehistoric and Medieval Art History
ART 302 European Renaissance Art History
ART 303 Baroque to Modern Art History
ART 304 Modern Art History

Six credit hours from:
ART 279 Photography
ART 310 Painting
ART 320 Sculpture
ART 331 Ceramics: Introduction to Wheel Throwing or ART 332 Ceramics: Handbuilding and Sculptural Forms
ART 340 Printmaking: Intaglio or ART 341 Printmaking: Lithography
ART 349 Graphic Design
ART 410 Advanced Painting
ART 420 Advanced Sculpture
ART 430 Advanced Ceramics
ART 440 Advanced Printmaking
ART 449 Advanced Graphic Design
MDST 379 Advanced Photography

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Minor in Art History (25 credit hours)

HIST 121 The Emergence of Western Civilization
HIST 122 The Revolutions of Western Civilizations
ART 301 Prehistoric and Medieval Art History
ART 302 European Renaissance Art History
ART 303 Baroque to Modern Art History
ART 304 Modern Art History
ART 499 Senior Directed Research

Six credit hours from:
HIST 125 Asian Civilizations
HIST 320 History of the Middle East
HIST 364 History of India

Note: Electives in the art history minor are intended to expose students to non-western cultures. Research papers in those classes are expected to focus on the artwork of the subject culture.

For students who intend to pursue the study of art history at a graduate level: The study of at least 12 hours of a foreign language is highly recommended. Most graduate programs in art history include a foreign language proficiency requirement. Spanish and German are the languages taught at BVU that would qualify.

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Major in Art with Teaching Licensure (K-6)

Students may earn a teaching degree with the art major or one of the minors by completing the requirements for the major or minor listed above. In addition, the following requirements must be met:

Art major plus:
EDUC 405 Field Experience/Methods
EDUC 451 K-6 Art Methods
EDUC 460 Elementary Student Teaching
Plus requirements listed under elementary education and education core

Major in Art with Teaching Licensure (7-12)

Art major plus:
SEDU 401 Methods of Teaching Secondary Art
SEDU 405 Field Experience/Methods
SEDU 490 Secondary Student Teaching
Plus requirements listed under secondary education and education core

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Major in Art with Teaching Licensure (K-6 & 7-12)

Art major plus:
EDUC 405 Field Experience/Methods
EDUC 451 K-6 Art Methods
SEDU 401 Methods of Teaching Secondary Art
SEDU 405 Field Experience/Methods
EDUC 460 Elementary Student Teaching
SEDU 490 Secondary Student Teaching
(EDUC 460 and SEDU 490 may be taken concurrently)
Plus requirements listed under secondary education and education core

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