Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art

About

The Department of Art offers its students an education in the visual arts as an integral part of a comprehensive educational experience. Our degree programs offer intense, professional education in the aesthetics and theories of the visual arts. Additionally, students will be trained in the skill and intellectual awareness that are the basis for a future of creative and professional achievement in the visual arts.

At UNLV the BFA is an additional year of study during which time students have an opportunity to focus more intensively on developing their skills and creativity. Admission to the BFA program is by portfolio review.

Available Options

Concentration in Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking

The Painting, Drawing & Printmaking concentration at UNLV focuses on the exploration of two-?dimensional areas. Students have the opportunity to encounter a variety of processes including intaglio, lithography, the drawing techniques and media of watercolor, acrylic and oil painting. Communication skills are developed through periodical critiques. Historical and contemporary examples are presented and discussed in class, resulting in a thorough investigation within the concentration. Students leave the program with a portfolio of work that can lead to the beginning of a career as a studio artist, to admission to an advanced degree in studio art, or to opportunities for employment in the art world.
Concentration in Photography

The Photography Area of Concentration provides students with a solid foundation in technical, aesthetic, conceptual, critical and practical skills necessary to thrive in the challenging and diverse world of photography. Students in this area work in traditional and non-traditional mediums with a pluralistic approach to picture making, learning both film-based and digital technology with emphasis placed on photography as a Fine Art. Students define their individual photographic style in terms of both content and approach, and once technical and conceptual skills are solidified, students develop a portfolio that shows their unique personal view of image making. After being accepted into the BFA Program students produce an advanced-level thesis project, demonstrating mastery and synthesis of the skills taught in the program, utilizing visual, oral and written presentations.
Concentration in Sculptural Practices

Students in the BFA degree program at UNLV, who concentrate on sculptural practices, advance their understanding of materials, process and content, leading to the creation of a sustainable studio practice. Studio experimentation and risk taking are encouraged while an awareness of the professional field and how he or she fits into the historical and contemporary trends in sculpture is considered and defined. Students leave the program with an advanced portfolio and practice that can help them develop an art career after college, employment or potential graduate study.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

Concentration in Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking

Upon completion of the BFA in Painting, Drawing & Printmaking, students should be able to:

Demonstrate functional levels of drawing skills with varied media.
Recognize and be able to interpret major works of art pertaining to the art history courses taken.
Demonstrate working knowledge of the elements and principles of students' chosen area of concentration
Articulate and critically respond to both familiar and unfamiliar works of art through critical dialogue.
Understand the function of presentation and/or the exhibition process of personal works in public gallery or other cultural venue.

Concentration in Photography

Upon completion of the BFA in Photography, students should be able to:

Demonstrate functional levels of drawing skills with varied media.
Recognize and be able to interpret major works of art pertaining to the art history courses taken.
Demonstrate working knowledge of the elements and principles of students' chosen area of concentration
Articulate and critically respond to both familiar and unfamiliar works of art through critical dialog.
Understand the function of presentation and/or the exhibition process of personal works in public gallery or other cultural venues.
Demonstrate technical, aesthetic and conceptual skills in traditional, digital and experimental photographic processes.
Produce a portfolio of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in photography.
Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral and written presentation skills.
Produce an advanced‐level thesis project within a traditional, digital or experimental photographic specialization.

Concentration in Sculptural Practices

Students graduating with a BFA in Art and a concentration in Sculpture

Will have the confidence and ability to manipulate new and existing materials with various methods and conceptual approaches to create works of art.
This confidence is gained through working with wood, metal, plaster and other media with hands-‐on experience and a wide range of hand and power tools.
In critique, students develop skills to examine, discuss and improve their work and the work of their peers.
Advanced assignments introduce kinetic, interactive and public-‐based artwork and their unique demands, expanding the notions of what and where sculpture can be.
Through projects and individual exploration, training in the wood and metal shops and the development of creative problem solving, their skills sharpen and become applicable to their artwork as well as practical applications.

Career Possibilities

Concentration in Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking

Students are prepared for a variety of careers in the visual arts from practicing studio artist to gallery and museum work, illustration. The BA in Art with a concentration in painting, drawing and printmaking also prepares students for graduate study on the MA or MFA level.

Concentration in Photography

The options for employment in the field of photography are many and varied. Students who want to work in the field discover that there are a wide variety of options; here are just a few of the job titles that are available in the field of photography today.

Fine Art Photographer
Photographer’s Assistant
Studio Photographer
Wedding Photographer
Photographic Stylist
Freelance Photographer
Digital Image Specialist
Portrait Photographer
Lab Technician
Editorial Photographer
Industrial/Corporate Photographer
Product Photographer
Fashion Photographer
Photojournalist
Studio Owner/Manager
Photographic Sales
Stock Photographer

Concentration in Sculptural Practices

BFA degree at UNLV Department of Art prepares students for careers in the arts and the workplace. If they concentrate is Sculptural practices their conceptual and practical skills provide them opportunities in careers such as but not limited to; gallery, museum and commission based artist, museum or gallery exhibit preparator, custom fabricator, art fabricator, wood or metal shop employee, artist’s studio assistant, the fields of carpentry, welding and more. In addition, the BFA degree also prepares students with a portfolio to apply to Masters and MFA programs, leading to more career options in academics and professional practice.

Requirements

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