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Art, Studio Art Concentration, B.F.A.

Art majors are exposed to cross-disciplinary projects and collaborations in both traditional and non-traditional materials with the ability to experiment in today's ever-evolving art fields.

Upgrades to the completely renovated, three-floor Andrew L. Todd Hall features state-of-the-art master classrooms, studios, and equipment. The Art Department regularly invites local and regional artists and nationally and internationally known artists to exhibit in the Todd Art Gallery, conduct workshops, and lecture in numerous classes. MTSU's growing art department offers a wide variety of studio options with an emphasis in ceramics, painting, printmaking, or sculpture.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is studio art?

Studio Art is a comprehensive program which trains and prepares students to conceptualize, research and generate their own creative works in a variety of different visual media of their choosing. Within our department, students can focus in Ceramics, Painting, Print Media, Sculpture or combine these into new, interdisciplinary works. Studio Art is focused on cultivating knowing of Artist’s Materials (what media is chosen), developing Conceptual depth (what ideas are investigated), and Action (professional presentation of personal work).

Do you need a portfolio for the studio art program?

While a portfolio is not required to enter the program, passing a portfolio review is required to maintain status in the B.F.A. Studio Art degree. This review happens at about the midway point of a student’s time in the program. Successful completion of this review includes high quality work, excellent documentation of student’s artworks and projects, some descriptive writing about their work and process, and professional adherence to deadlines.

What skills do you learn in studio arts?

All Studio Art students begin by learning foundational knowledge including 2D, 3D, Digital Art and Drawing. They also begin with an overview of the history of art making across cultures and time. From this common starting point, students can chart a path where they explore various media areas and/or dive deep into one media. Regardless, the goal is to develop technical skills handling materials and simultaneously engage in a personally driven research project leading to a thesis exhibition, written paper and presentation. Taken together, these activities teach young artists how to use materials, explore with curiosity, develop ideas and how to expand thinking through making, and finally how to present their work to the public with confidence.

What can you do with a studio art degree?

Studio Arts majors are valuable across the community because they are trained to find connections, synthesize complex information into clearly communicative forms, and act as translators of concept and form. Studio Artists work with museum and educational settings as registrars, liaisons, docents, artistic directors, and teachers. They also work in non-profits aiding other artists or institutions seeking to develop arts programs. The skills of studio art also translate into industries such as fabrication, product design and even marketing. Many B.F.A. Studio Arts students also go on to pursue Masters of Fine Arts degrees, which is the terminal degree for the field. The successful completion of their portfolio review and thesis work will have prepared them well to attend post-secondary schooling. Overall, studio arts prepares students to be lifelong makers, entrepreneurs and self-sustaining creators.

Is a studio art degree "worth it"?

Yes; Studio Art not only gives a student a technical skillset, but transferable skills which are valuable in any workplace. Studio Art prepares students to work independently in creative ways, seek and find answers to complex questions, and confidently present themselves in multiple formats.