B.A. PROGRAM
The BA Art Major requires from 36 to 45 art credits in Art
and Art History of the 120 credits needed for graduation. This program allows
students majoring in Art to have double majors, minors, or areas of concentration
in subjects of interest such as film media, education, journalism, communications,
public relations, computer science, psychology, or textiles, fashion merchandising
and design. After the foundation year students select intermediate and advanced
courses in drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, video,
film, digital art and design, internships or selected topics courses such
as figure drawing, collage, and digital photography. Classes in Art History
complement the studio offerings. For specific requirements see the URI
catalog online.
B.F.A. PROGRAM
The BFA Studio Art Major is a more studio-intensive program requiring 72
Art and Art History credits of the 120 total credits required for graduation.
This degree provides more in-depth professional training. After the foundation
year students select intermediate and advanced courses in drawing, painting,
sculpture, printmaking, photography, video and film, digital art and design,
internships or selected topics courses such as figure drawing, collage,
and digital photography. Within the BFA major requirements there are opportunities
for greater and lesser emphasis on the various media in which courses are
offered. Classes in Art History and theory complement the studio offerings.
For specific requirements see the URI
catalog online.
INTERNSHIPS AND OTHER OPTIONS
The URI Fine Arts Center Galleries present exhibitions through
the year and provide opportunities to see the work and to meet established
artists. Student interns (in ART 300) interact with professional artists
who visit our campus and work with the Gallery Director on the planning,
preparation, and installation of shows. External internships (ARH 307) enable
students to get hands-on experience with professionals outside of the academic
setting at graphic design firms, advertising agencies, photography studios,
TV stations, with publishers and other businesses and agencies. Students
are encouraged to study abroad in approved academic programs in England,
France, and Italy. Study abroad is one means of fulfilling the University's
general education requirement in the area of foreign language and culture.
Many students exhibit their artwork at the University as well as in local
and regional professional art galleries. An Annual Juried Student Exhibition
is held every spring.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
URI graduates are employed as practicing artists, graphic
designers, photographers, filmmakers, illustrators, arts administrators,
architects, teachers, professors, researchers, and museum professionals.
Although we do not offer concentrations in commercial art or art education,
our courses provide the skills, conceptual training, and creative opportunities
for those who wish to pursue careers in these fields. It is our experience
that prospective employers are centrally interested in the technical skills
and conceptual range (in photography, drawing, or computer imaging, for
example) demonstrated by prospective employees in the portfolios they present.
To judge by the success of our alumni, our studio programs provide excellent
training for a wide variety of careers in the arts.
FURTHER STUDIES
Many of our art studio graduates have gone on to MFA programs
in painting, photography, sculpture, filmmaking, and other specialized areas
of visual studies. The Master of Fine Arts degree provides specialized training
for professional artists and is a necessary credential for entering into
the field of college or university teaching. Other students have entered
MA programs in art education, arts administration, and art therapy. We have
been successful in placing students in excellent graduate programs throughout
the country. These include the Rhode Island School of Design, Art Institute
of Chicago, University of California at Santa Barbara, San Francisco Art
Institute, Tyler School of Art, University of Arizona, and the Whitney Museum
Independent Study Program. |
