A bachelor of fine arts (BFA) is the professional undergraduate studio degree offered through the Division of Art. Students studying the visual arts may participate in a wide range of studio class work, which includes drawing, design, painting, printmaking, photography, ceramics, electronic media, graphic design, and sculpture. The studio component of the Art Program is combined with a program of art history and liberal studies. After acquiring a broad background in studio concerns, students select an area in which to concentrate during the final two years of the program; options consist of ceramics, graphic design, intermedia, painting, printmaking, and sculpture. Students wishing certification to teach K-12 in West Virginia must complete competency requirements established by the state in addition to the BFA requirements of the Division of Art. This variation of the regular BFA program begins after completion of the freshman year and requires careful selection of studio and academic courses. With the additional General Education Curriculum (GEC) and education course requirements, a student selecting this option should anticipate 4.5 to 5 years of study to complete the program. Opportunities for students to exhibit their work are numerous; two art galleries, located in the Creative Arts Center and in the Mountainlair, display student work. Several apprentice-type programs and student art organizations are sponsored by the Division of Art. Each spring, scholarships are awarded to students for the following academic year. Merit of work, plus a minimum 3.0 GPA, are the selection criteria. Majors in the College of Creative Arts Art History BA, MA Art BFA, MA, MFA Music BA, B, M, D Theatre BA, BFA, MFA B = Bachelor's; BFA = Bachelor's of Fine Arts; M = Master's; MFA = Master's of Fine Arts; D = Doctorate For more information, contact Alison Helm at 304-293-4841, ext. 3140, or via e-mail at Alison.Helm@mail.wvu.edu.

The WVU College of Creative Arts
Creative development in art, music, and theatre and dance is the purpose of the College of Creative Arts at WVU. A distinguished faculty of studio and performing artists and academicians brings a commitment to the creative process of artistic growth, which is shared with each student. In a rich environment of art exhibits, concerts, and plays, students are offered the knowledge, skills, and inspiration necessary for professional success.

The Creative Arts Center is home to the WVU College of Creative Arts. It is a modern, well-equipped facility devoted to creative development through instruction, performance, and exhibition in art, music, and theatre and dance. The $20 million center features the 1,400-seat Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre that accommodates many College and University productions while providing premiere performance space for touring productions. In addition, the Center has three other theatres—the Gladys G. Davis Theatre, a 225-seat space, and the Antoinette Falbo and Vivian Davis Michael Theatres. Also, for technical and support training, there is a full range of shops. The Bloch Learning and Performance Hall, with seating for 155, and an orchestra/choir rehearsal hall, each with state-of-the-art recording equipment, round out the Center’s theatres.

The Creative Arts Center also boasts large ceramics, printmaking, drawing, painting, sculpture, photographic, and digital studios for instruction in the fine arts. The Mesaros Art Galleries are showcases for the visual arts, featuring exhibitions of internationally renowned visiting artists, faculty and student art, and works from the WVU Art Collections.

The core of the facility, however, is the instructional space. Approximately 50 classrooms and studios and individual office/studio spaces are home-away-from-home for 108 full-time and part-time faculty, staff, and administrators, plus 800 student majors and 3,200 other University students pursuing arts instruction.

Admission
In addition to the University admission requirements, the Division of Art requires a portfolio review for all applicants to the bachelor of fine arts program. This evaluation is conducted by the art faculty and ensures that all students entering the studio program have certain basic competencies and skills. All portfolio reviews are completed by February 1, so students are encouraged to apply and complete the portfolio review at the earliest possible date. Applicants should visit www.wvu.edu/~ccarts or phone 304-293-4841, ext. 3139, to receive detailed instructions and portfolio review application materials.

Transfer applicants must undergo a portfolio review to gain admittance in the program. Evaluation for advanced standing or transfer credit in studio subjects is not made solely upon the presentation of a transcript but also depends on the evaluation of a portfolio of artwork. The Division of Art requires a portfolio examination for placement in the program. A degree candidate in the Division of Art must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 (C); admission to the teacher certification program requires a 2.5 GPA. Students must earn a grade of C or higher in art studio and/or art history classes for the course to fulfill degree requirements. In addition, students may be requested to present a portfolio of selected works for examination and evaluation by a faculty committee. The committee is empowered to make recommendations regarding the student’s status as a major in art and their continuation toward a degree in art.

Additionally, portfolios are reviewed after the first set of foundation courses are taken, typically at the end of the first year. At the end of the sophomore year, aspiring graphic design and intermedia students must submit a portfolio to be judged by WVU faculty members, as well as other experts in the field.

Curriculum
The BFA curriculum consists of required and elective studio art courses, art history courses, and University-established General Education Curriculum (GEC) requirements. During the first two years, art students must complete a sequence of courses in drawing and visual foundations. Available in all major studio areas, art studio electives provide basic knowledge to enable participants in the program to select a major area by the beginning of the junior year. To complete the lower-division requirements of the Art Program, students must take twelve credit hours of studio electives and six hours of art history survey.

Offering a broad experience in drawing, design, and art history, the first year of lower-division instruction is followed by a year of course work that includes study in three of the five major studio areas of the student’s choice. Also, two drawing classes are required in the second year. Before entering an area of concentration, the lower-division art program, including at least six credit
hours in the intended area of study, must be completed.

Concentration in one area of major studio concern marks the beginning of the third year of study. During the final two years, the studio major accounts for at least 24 credit hours, which is almost half of the credits earned.

If an Art major chooses to earn certification to teach in grades K-12, work on the certificate begins after the freshman year. Typically, an advisor is consulted when scheduling courses, since specific competency and GEC requirements must be met. An extra two semesters will probably be necessary to complete the course work and student teaching requirements of the certification program.

Accreditation
WVU is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Division of Art is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design and is the only school in the state with this distinction. Only about 220 schools nationwide are accredited by this body.

Career Opportunities
In addition to working as a professional artist, numerous career options are available in the arts. They include, but are not limited to, positions in public or private education, museums and galleries, design firms, arts administration, television and media industries, printing and publications, consultant, writer/critic for periodicals, photographer, and computer graphics in business and industry. Graduates with education certification are prepared to teach in public and private schools at the elementary and secondary levels. About three out of five professionals in the field are self-employed. Employment of visual artists, overall, is expected to grow about as fast as the average for all occupations. Despite the expected employment growth, the supply of those seeking entry to this field will continue to exceed requirements.

Salary Range
According to the fall 2003 National Association of Colleges and Employers Salary Survey, average salary offers for Visual Arts careers were $23,000 to $34,000.