Art

104 Art

The School of Art serves a dual role within the educational structure of the University of Washington. It is both a professional school and an academic department. As a professional school it trains students for active careers in the visual arts; as a school of the College of Arts and Sciences it offers studio and lecture courses. All of its course offerings and its curriculum requirements are based on the underlying philosophy that an awareness and understanding of the visual arts are necessary to a liberal education, and that a liberal education is necessary to the training of a professional artist.

Undergraduate Program

Adviser
104 Art, Box 353440
206-543-0646
uaskart@u.washington.edu

The School of Art offers the following undergraduate programs:

  • The Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in art history, design studies (incorporates elements of the Bachelor of Fine Arts industrial design and visual communications designprograms), interdisciplinary visual arts, or painting and drawing.
  • The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in ceramics, fibers, industrial design, metals, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, or visual communication design
  • Note: The printmaking and metals programs are not currently admitting new majors

Bachelor of Arts

Design Studies, Interdisciplinary Visual Arts (IVA), Painting and Drawing (Students may earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing, but not both.)

Department Admission Requirements

The minimum GPA for application to the School of Art is 2.50.

Admission to the Design Studies Major for Entering Freshmen, Currently Enrolled Students, or Transfer Students: Students must complete ART 166 (or equivalent), then apply to the major using the appropriate application process. See the program guides on the department Web site for specific information: http://art.washington.edu/undergrad/programguides/index.html.

Admission to the Interdisciplinary Visual Arts Major for Entering Freshmen or Currently Enrolled Students: After completing 5 credits of introductory level art (100/200 level), students meet with an Art adviser to declare the major.

Admission to the Interdisciplinary Visual Arts Major for Transfer Students: Students complete the equivalent of 5 credits of introductory art (100/200) level) prior to transferring. Once admitted to the UW, they meet with an Art adviser to declare the major. Prior to transfer, students may address questions to uaskart@u.washington.edu.

Admission to the Painting and Drawing Major for Entering Freshmen and Currently Enrolled Students: After completing ART 190, students meet with an Art adviser to declare the major.

Admission to the Painting and Drawing Major for Transfer Students: Once admitted to the UW, students meet with an Art adviser to enroll in ART 190. Students who transfer with college credits in painting and drawing may wish to present a portfolio for advanced placement in the program. Prior to transfer, students may address questions to uaskart@u.washington.edu.

Major Requirements

Design Studies (80 credits)

  1. 5 credits prerequisite: ART 166
  2. Successful completion of Design Admission Selection Process
  3. 30 credits: ART 207, ART 208, ART 209, ART 210, ART 211, ART 212
  4. 20 credits: ART 381, ART 481, ART 482 (repeated to 10 credits)
  5. 15 credits electives from the following: ART 366, ART 368, ART 376, ART 377, ART 378, ART 467, ART 383, ART 483, ART 316, ART 317, ART 322, ART 446.
  6. 10 credits of art history including ART H 203 and any non-western art history: ART H 204, ART H 205, ART H 206, ART H 230, ART H 311, ART H 315, ART H 318, ART H 330, ART H 337.

Interdisciplinary Visual Arts (63 credits)

  1. 20 credits of introductory art selected from ART 120, ART 124, ART 126, ART 131, ART 133, ART 140, ART 166, ART 190, ART 201, ART 202, ART 226, ART 227, ART 234, ART 245, ART 246, ART 258, ART 272, ART 273, ART 290, ART 292.
  2. 25 upper division credits in art selected from ART 328, ART 329, ART 330, ART 332, ART 333, ART 334, ART 335, ART 338, ART 339, ART 342, ART 345, ART 350, ART 353, ART 354, ART 357, ART 358, ART 390, ART 392, ART 428, ART 436, ART 450, ART 457, ART 458, ART 485, ART 490, ART 492, ART 496, ART 498, ART 499, ART H 498, ART H 499.
  3. 18 credits in art history, with a minimum 8 upper division credits, to include one from ART H 203, ART H 380, ART H 381, or ART H 384; one non-western course from ART H 204, ART H 205, ART H 206, ART H 230, ART H 311, ART H 312, ART 313, ART H 315, ART H 318, ART H 321, ART 330, ART H 331, or ART H 337.

Painting and Drawing (60 credits)

  1. 5 credits: ART 190
  2. 15 credits drawing classes: 5 credits ART 290; 5 credits ART 390; 5 credits ART 490
  3. 25 credits painting classes: 5 credits ART 292; 5 credits ART 293; 5 credits ART 392; 5 credits ART 393; 5 credits ART 492
  4. 15 credits art history (with a minimum 5 upper division) to include one from ART H 203, ART H 380, ART H 381, or ART H 384; one non-western from ART H 204, ART H 205, ART H 206, ART H 230, ART H 311, ART H 312, ART H 313, ART H 315, ART H 318, ART H 321, ART H 330, ART H 331, or ART H 337.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Ceramics, Fibers, Industrial Design, Metals, Painting and Drawing (Students may earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts or a Bachelor of Arts in Painting and Drawing, but not both), Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, Visual Communication Design

Department Admission Requirements

The minimum GPA for admission to School of Art BFA programs is 3.00.

Note: The printmaking and metals programs are not currently admitting new majors. Students may check with Academic Advising and Student Services (uaskart@u.washington.edu) for updated information.

For entering freshmen or currently enrolled students

Admission to Ceramics, Fibers, Painting and Drawing, and Sculpture: Students complete the prerequisite art course unique to each major (ART 201 for ceramics; ART 226 or ART 227 for fibers; ART 190 for painting and drawing; ART 272 or ART 273 for sculpture), then meet with an Art adviser to declare the major.

Admission to Industrial Design, Photography, and Visual Communication Design: Students must complete prerequisite courses unique to each major (see Major Requirements, below). Students then apply to the major using the appropriate application process. Each major has its own unique application process; see Program Guides on department homepage for specific information: http://art.washington.edu/undergrad/programguides/index.html.

For transfer students

Admission to Ceramics, Fibers, Painting and Drawing, and Sculpture: Once admitted to the UW, students meet with an Art adviser to enroll in the appropriate art course (ART 201 for ceramics; ART 226 or ART 227 for fibers; ART 190 for painting and drawing; ART 272 or ART 273 for sculpture). Students who transfer with college credits in the proposed area of study may wish to present a portfolio for advanced placement in the program. Prior to transfer, students may address questions to uaskart@u.washington.edu.

Admission to Industrial Design, Photography, and Visual Communication Design: Students must complete prerequisite courses unique to each major (see Major Requirements, below). Students then apply to the major using the appropriate application process and submitting a portfolio. Each major has its own unique application process; see the program guides on the department Web site for specific information: http://art.washington.edu/undergrad/programguides/index.html.

Admission Policy for Postbaccalaureate Applicants: Postbaccalaureate study in studio art is limited; admission requirements vary within each major. See information concerning specific postbaccalaureate admission online at http://art.washington.edu.

Major Requirements

Ceramics (85 credits)

  1. 10 credits of ART 201, ART 202
  2. 15 credits of ART 353.
  3. 20 credits of ART 485
  4. 25 credits of art or related electives to include ART 120
  5. 15 credits art history (with a minimum 5 upper division) to include one from ART H 203, ART H 380, ART H 384, or ART H 381; one non-western from ART H 204, ART H 205, ART H 206, ART H 230, ART H 311, ART H 312, ART H 313, ART H 315, ART H 318, ART H 321, ART H 330, ART H 331, or ART H 337.

Fibers (85 credits)

  1. 10 credits of ART 226, ART 227
  2. 25 credits of ART 328, ART 329, ART 330
  3. 15 credits of ART 428
  4. 20 credits of art or related electives to include ART 120
  5. 15 credits art history (with a minimum 5 upper division) to include one from ART H 203, ART H 380, ART H 381, or ART H 384; one non-western from ART H 204, ART H 205, ART H 206, ART H 311, ART H 312, ART H 313, ART H 315, ART H 318, ART H 321, ART H 330, ART H 331, or ART H 337.

Industrial Design (90 credits)

  1. 5 credits prerequisite: ART 166
  2. Successful completion of Design Admission Selection Process
  3. 30 credits: ART 207, ART 208, ART 209, ART 210, ART 211, ART 212
  4. 30 credits: ART 316, ART 317, ART 318, ART 321, ART 322, ART 422
  5. 15 credits: ART 445, ART 446, ART 447.
  6. 10 credits of art history including ART H 203 and any non-western art history: ART H 204, ART H 205, ART H 206, ART H 230, ART H 311, ART H 315, ART H 318, ART H 330, ART H 337.

Metals (85 credits)

Note: Major is not accepting new students.

Painting and Drawing (95 credits)

  1. 5 credits, ART 190.
  2. 15 credits of drawing classes: 5 credits ART 290; 5 credits ART 390; 5 credits ART 490.
  3. 45 credits of painting classes: 5 credits ART 292; 5 credits ART 293; 5 credits ART 392; 10 credits ART 492 or 5 credits ART 492 and 5 additional credits of ART 490; 15 credits ART 494.
  4. 15 credits of studio art or related electives.
  5. 15 credits of art history with a minimum 5 upper division to include one from ART H 203, ART H 380, ART H 384, or ART H 381; one non-western art history from ART H 204, ART H 205, ART H 206, ART H 230, ART H 311, ART H 312, ART H 313, ART H 315, ART H 318, ART H 321, ART H 330, ART H 331, ART H 337.

Photography (85 credits total)

  1. 15 credits of prerequisites: ART 140; ART 124, ART 126, ART 166, or ART 190; ART H 232.
  2. Successful completion of Photography Portfolio Review.
  3. 5 credits of ART 241 (autumn quarter only).
  4. 25 credits: ART 340; ART 341; ART 342; 10 credits of ART 343.
  5. 15 credits of ART 440 (spring, autumn, winter quarters).
  6. 15 credits of studio art or related electives.
  7. 10 credits of art history including ART H 203 and any non-western art history: ART H 204, ART H 205, ART H 206, ART H 230, ART H 311, ART H 315, ART H 318, ART H 330, ART H 337.

Printmaking (85 credits)

Note: Major is not accepting new students.

Sculpture (85 credits)

  1. 10 credits of ART 272, ART 273
  2. 25 credits of ART 332, ART 333, ART 334, ART 335
  3. 10 credits ART 436.
  4. 25 credits of art or related electives, to include ART 120.
  5. 15 credits of art history (with a minimum 5 upper division) to include one from ART H 203, ART H 380, ART H 384, or ART H 381; one non-western from ART H 204, ART H 205, ART H 206, ART H 230, ART H 311, ART H 312, ART H 313, ART H 315, ART H 318, ART H 321, ART H 330, ART H 331, or ART H 337

Visual Communication Design (100 credits).

  1. 5 credits of prerequisite: ART 166.
  2. Successful completion of Design Admission Selection Process.
  3. 30 credits: ART 207, ART 208, ART 209, ART 210, ART 211, ART 212
  4. 30 credits: ART 366, ART 376, ART 367, ART 377, ART 368, ART 378
  5. 25 credits: ART 466, ART 478, ART 467, ART 479, ART 480
  6. 10 credits of art history including ART H 203 and any non-western art history: ART H 204, ART H 205, ART H 206, ART H 230, ART H 311, ART H 315, ART H 318, ART H 330, ART H 337.

Student Outcomes and Opportunities

  • Learning Objectives and Expected Outcomes: Students receiving an undergraduate degree in art can expect to develop strong writing, analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills. Students learn to recognize the power of the visual image and understand its importance in a world increasingly dependent on the aesthetic and technical skill of trained artists and designers to create images that communicate information and ideas across cultures and generations.

    In addition to becoming practicing artists, art graduates find careers in fields such as gallery and museum management, arts education, arts administration, photojournalism, film making, graphic and product design, interior design, teaching, advertising, art therapy, and visual and digital technology.

  • Instructional and Research Facilities: None.

  • Honors Options Available: Photography Honors (see Academic Advising and Student Services for details).

  • Research, Internships, and Service Learning: The School of Art has several programs that help students develop professional practices and expand their knowledge outside the UW: internships for credit, Artist in Residence programs, K-12 Educational Partnerships, and the Studio Art Rome program.

  • Department Scholarships: None.

  • Student Organizations/Associations: Students majoring in the studio arts have the opportunity to participate in several student associations: Hephestium (metals), Zeeware (ceramics), Broadclothes (fiber), Printmakers Association (printmaking), a photo guild, and the Inter Arts Council. These organizations raise funds though the sale of members' work to support visiting artists and lectures and to sponsor student involvement in regional arts events.

Graduate Program

Graduate Program Coordinator
104 Art Building, Box 353440
206-543-0646
gradart@u.washintgon.edu

The Master of Fine Arts program offers an intense, two-year studio and seminar/classroom experience leading to an advanced degree in visual art. The program builds on prior, significant academic experience and studio work. Admission is on a competitive basis to any one of the following seven programs: Ceramics, Fibers, Metals, Painting, Photography, Sculpture, and Visual Communication Design.

The master's degree program in Art History at the University of Washington affirms that the M.A. degree is an independent degree useful in its own right. Successful applicants to the program normally have a broad undergraduate background in art history.

The Ph.D. program in the Division of Art History prepares graduates for university-level teaching, curator positions at major museums, and independent research in the field. Before beginning work for the Ph.D., students should have completed a Master of Arts degree in the history of art.

Master of Fine Arts

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission to the Master of Fine Arts program are required to have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree or equivalent (determined by the quality of the applicant's work and equivalent experience, based upon the UW B.F.A. requirements) with a minimum GPA of 3.00 in the undergraduate art major.

The Graduate Record Examination is not required. Admission is on a competitive basis. Annual deadline for applications is February 1, for consideration for admission the following autumn quarter.

Degree Requirements

For each program, 90 credits are required, as follows:

Ceramics

  • Ceramics Studio: 20 credits of ART 553
  • Interdisciplinary Seminar: 25 credits of ART 590
  • Art History, Theory, and Criticism: 10 credits of approved courses
  • Studio Electives: 15 credits of approved electives
  • Thesis: 20 credits of ART 700. The thesis is a natural outgrowth of the student’s work.It can consist of one major work or a body of work that involves one central theme. Ceramics graduatess exhibit their thesis work in the annual M.F.A. exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery along with a one person show at the Ceramics Gallery.

Fibers

  • Fibers Studio: 20 credits of ART 540
  • Interdisciplinary Seminar: 25 credits of ART 590
  • Art History, Theory, and Criticism: 10 credits of approved courses
  • Studio Electives: 20 credits of approved electives
  • Thesis: 15 credits of ART 700. The thesis is a natural outgrowth of the student’s work. It can consist of one major work or a body of work that involves one central theme. Fibers graduates exhibit their thesis work in the annual M.F.A. exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery.

Metals

  • Metals Studio: 20 credits of ART 558
  • Interdisciplinary Seminar: 25 credits of ART 590
  • Art History, Theory, and Criticism: 15 credits of approved courses
  • Studio Electives: 20 credits of approved electives
  • Thesis: 15 credits of ART 700. The thesis is a natural outgrowth of the student’s work. It can consist of one major work or a body of work that involves one central theme. Metals graduates exhibit their thesis work in the annual M.F.A. exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery.

Painting and Drawing

  • Drawing Studio: 6 credits of ART 591
  • Painting Studio: 25 credits of ART 592
  • Graduate Seminar: 30 credits of ART 594
  • Art History, Theory, and Criticism: 10 credits of approved courses
  • Studio Electives: 9 credits of approved electives
  • Thesis: 10 credits of ART 700. The thesis is a natural outgrowth of the student’s work. It can consist of one major work or a body of work that involves one central theme. Painting and Drawing graduates exhibit their thesis work in the annual M.F.A. exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery.

Photography

  • Photography Studio: 20 credits of ART 515
  • Interdisciplinary Seminar: 25 credits of ART 590
  • Art History, Theory, and Criticism: 15 credits of approved courses
  • Studio Electives: 15 credits of approved electives
  • Thesis: 15 credits of ART 700. The thesis is a natural outgrowth of the student’s work. It can consist of one major work or a body of work that involves one central theme. Photography graduates exhibit their thesis work in the annual M.F.A. exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery.

Sculpture

  • Sculpture Studio: 20 credits of ART 552
  • Interdisciplinary Seminar: 25 credits of ART 590
  • Art History, Theory, and Criticism: 10 credits of approved courses
  • Studio Electives: 15 credits of approved electives
  • Thesis: 20 credits of ART 700. The thesis is a natural outgrowth of the student’s work. It can consist of one major work or a body of work that involves one central theme. Sculpture graduates exhibit their thesis work in the annual M.F.A. exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery.

Visual Communication Design

  • Design Studio: 25 credits of ART 580/ART 582
  • Design Seminar: 20 credits of ART 581
  • Art History, Theory, and Criticism: 15 credits of approved courses
  • Studio Electives: 20 credits of approved electives
  • Thesis: 10 credits of ART 700. The thesis is a natural outgrowth of the student’s work. It can consist of one major work or a body of work that involves one central theme. Design graduates exhibit their thesis work in the annual M.F.A. exhibition at the Henry Art Gallery.

Master of Arts

Admission Requirements

  • B.A. degree with art history major or equivalent course work with a minimum GPA of 3.00 or B average in art history courses; students in other majors may apply if they have a strong background in art history.
  • Official GRE General Test scores.

Degree Requirements

The M.A. program offers both thesis and non-thesis tracks in Art History. The thesis track requires a minimum of 55, and the non-thesis (practicum) track 65, graduate-level credits, to include:

  • A minimum of 5 numerically graded credits in four of the five major areas: 1) African and Native American; 2) East Asian; 3) Ancient, Classical, and Medieval; 4) Italian and Northern Renaissance, Baroque, and Rococo; 5) Western, late 19th c. to the present.
  • A minimum of 15 credits in 500-level seminars, including at least one seminar each in a Western and a non-Western area; also, two methodology seminars to be taken in the first year.
  • For students in the thesis track, at least 10 credits of ART H 700 (Master’s Thesis); for the non-thesis track, at least 10 credits of ART H 598 (Master’s Practicum)
  • All degree candidates are required to demonstrate a knowledge of either French, German or Italian, or Chinese or Japanese where appropriate. Degree candidates specializing in Native American art may substitute Spanish for French or German. Students in the thesis track are required additionally to demonstrate knowledge in a second language appropriate to the student’s area of study. Petitions for exemption from the second language requirement are considered as warranted by the needs of different fields or projects.
  • The thesis may be an extension of a seminar paper and must demonstrate the student’s ability to conduct rigorous research, indicate familiarity with bibliographical and reference materials, and show a capacity for the synthesis and critical evaluation of the material under consideration.
  • The practicum must evidence the student’s practical or theoretical knowledge of some aspects of art in historical or contemporary situations, and may take any of a variety of forms, either within or outside the academic offerings of the University, e.g., an internship in a public art museum or the publication of critical, educational or other writings. These are minimum M.A. requirements for the Division of Art History. To be eligible for a degree in the Graduate School, a minimum GPA of 3.00 in numerically graded courses numbered 400 and above is required.

Doctor of Philosophy

Admission Requirements

  • M.A. degree in art history or a closely related field with a minimum 3.00 or B average in art history courses.
  • Official GRE General Test scores.

Degree Requirements

The Ph.D. program requires a minimum of 90 credits, as follows:

  • A minimum of 60 credits in art history in numerically graded courses numbered 400 and above, beyond the M.A. Of these 60, at least 30 credits must be in 500-level art history or approved non-art history seminars
  • A maximum of 20 credits in related fields (in numerically graded courses numbered 300 and above) may be approved for credit in place of art history courses
  • A minimum of 10 credits must be taken in an area other than areas to be tested by the General Examination.
  • All doctoral students are required to demonstrate a knowledge of either French, German or Italian, or of Chinese or Japanese where appropriate; to demonstrate a research capability in a second language appropriate to the student’s area of study as determined by the faculty; and to demonstrate a knowledge of any further languages judged necessary by the faculty
  • A minimum of 30 dissertation credits
  • A General Examination, written and oral, is taken when in the opinion of the student’s supervisory committee the student’s background is sufficient to justify its undertaking. The fields to be covered are determined in accordance with the student’s interests and the faculty’s supervisory capabilities.
  • These requirements are minimum Ph.D. requirements for the Division of Art History. To be eligible for a degree in the Graduate School, a grade point average of 3.0 in numerically graded courses numbered 400 and above is required.

Scholarships and Teaching Assistantships

School of Art scholarships are awarded annually to new and returning students, based on merit. Applicants admitted to the M.F.A. program may be offered School of Art scholarships for the coming year on an individual merit basis. Further application is not required.

The School of Art offers a limited number of teaching assistantships to incoming graduate students on an individual merit basis, as determined by each program. Enrolled graduate students may apply for a limited number of additional, competitive teaching assistantships.

Helpful links

Undergraduate Program
Graduate Program

Time Schedule

Academic Planning Worksheet

Departmental Web Page

Departmental Faculty

Course Descriptions