Share your vision with the world.

A degree in fine arts prepares students to explore and expand their vision and creativity while learning about present and past artistic styles and techniques. For aspiring artists, a fine arts degree may provide the ideal way to gain hands-on experience, make professional connections and land a dream job. Your college curriculum can give you access to techniques that can only be learned from a professional.

 

Program type:

Major, BFA

Format:

On-Campus

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Overview

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art -

Studio Practice Emphasis

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art with an Emphasis in Studio Practice offers students the opportunity to explore essential cultural and professional systems through creative visual practice. The degree is considered a professional degree program in art, as well as traditional preparation to pursue graduate studies in the field. 

Studio Practice encompasses painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics and digital arts in 2D and 3D. Students encounter both traditional and new technologies in their study and in creating the visual world in which we live. Students in the Studio Practice program enjoy the benefits of close relationships with the St. Louis visual arts professional community. Our professors maintain a rigorous program that prepares students for immediate employment as creative professionals and enriches lives through creative practice.

Outcomes and Career Outlook

Upon completion of the BFA in Art with an Emphasis in Studio Practice, graduates will be able to develop visual and verbal responses to visual phenomena and organize perceptions and conceptualizations both rationally and intuitively; explain the major achievements in the history of art and design, including the works and intentions of leading artists and designers in the past and present; develop the capacity to identify and/or solve visual problems within a variety of physical, technological, social and cultural contexts; explain and evaluate contemporary thinking about art or design; develop competence in a number of art or design techniques; and make valid assessments of quality and effectiveness in design projects and works of art, especially their own.

Fine arts is an evergreen industry with applications across a wide range of sectors. Employment of fine artists is expected to increase by 7% through 2029, with a median annual salary of $60,820, according to wage and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.



60,820

Median annual salary

7

Employment growth by 2029

Career Opportunities

  • Professional Fine Artist and Entrepreneur
  • Transmedia/Multimedia Artist
  • Commercial Photographer
  • Comic Book Artist
  • Game Artist and Model Maker
  • Art Director
  • Art Handler
  • Gallery Owner and Curator
  • Exhibits Designer
  • Maker Space Director
  • Printshop Director

 

Plan of study

Foundations


All majors must meet the general education requirements of the university in addition to completing degree-specific curriculum requirements.

Review Full Degree Requirements Review Sample Four-Year Plan

Download 4-Year Academic Map

Non-Missouri Residents: Prospective students are responsible for reviewing the  NC-SARA state authorizations page to see if this program is offered in their state throughout their program and to review the licensure or certification requirements for the state in which they reside.

Student organizations

Make new friends and learn new skills by joining one of our Recognized Student Organizations. Here are several opportunities you may be interested in as an art major. 

Honors College

The UMSL Honors College is a certificate program that can be paired with any major without adding extra classes or extending time to graduate. Classes in the Honors College are seminar-style, meaning that they are based in reading, writing, discussion, and critical thinking. This unique class format fosters an intellectual climate centered around democracy, diversity, civility and academic excellence.

Undergraduate research

We encourage and support students as they engage in exciting activities in and outside of the classroom that enrich their academic and professional understanding of their chosen area of study. All majors are encouraged to participate in Undergraduate Research and Scholarship to produce discipline-specific intellectual or creative innovations to their field.