B.F.A. in Art
Dive deep into all aspects of art as you build a professional portfolio to showcase your own work.
There are two paths to study art at the University of Mississippi. Choose between a more flexible Bachelor of Arts degree or a more specialized, competitive-entry, pre-professional Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis in ceramics, graphic/web design, imaging arts, painting, printmaking, or sculpture. All art majors complete foundational courses in 2-D and 3-D design, color theory, photo-imaging, and drawing, but the B.F.A. students take more advanced studio courses and art history.
Key Benefits
Art majors develop the fundamentals of design, learn how to promote their art, and become adept at new technologies within the field. In our region, only one other school has a comparable foundry facility. The senior B.F.A. students present an exhibition to showcase their achievement in developing a mature and cohesive body of creative work, which will be the core of their professional portfolio.
Graduate Outcomes
A liberal arts education empowers and prepares graduates to deal with complexity and change. They gain key skills in communication, problem-solving, and working with a diverse group of people. Related careers in art include professional fine artist, educator, graphic design, web design, animation, display/set/exhibit design, art appraisal, production pottery, public relations, architectural modeling, textile design, art therapy, arts administration, museum administration, marketing, & interior design.
Experiences Offered
The Department of Art and Art History provides outlets for student involvement outside of the classroom through various clubs. A vibrant Visiting Artist program brings approximately 10 visiting artists to campus annually for studio visits, artist talks, and demonstrations that provide students experiences working alongside a wide variety of artists.
B.F.A. in Art Faculty
Faculty in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Mississippi teach foundational courses, art history, and in the studio areas of ceramics, graphic/web design, imaging arts, painting, printmaking, and sculpture.
Course Requirements
Requirements for the B.F.A. include the following:
| Courses | Sem Hours |
|---|---|
| Art history: AH 201, 202, 401 | 9 |
| Art history electives at the 300 level or above | 6 |
| Art foundation core: 101, 102, 103, 111, 211, 311, and either 202 or 360 | 21 |
| First-level studio core: Take five of the following six courses: 321, 331, 340, 361, 383, and either 371 or 372 | 15 |
| Second-level studio core: Take five of the following seven courses: 312, 322, 332, either 362 or 364, either 341 or 342, either 371 or 372, and either 381 or 384 | 15 |
| Advanced studio, 300- and 400-level courses (at least 12 hours must be in one studio area) | 15 |
| Pre-thesis Forum (405) taken during the semester preceding thesis exhibition, | |
| Thesis exhibit (491) | 3 |
| Senior seminar (492) | 1 |
| Electives to bring the total number of hours to 120. | |
| Minimum total hours | 120 |
Admissions Requirements
Admission to the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art program is by competitive portfolio review after completion of 18 hours of studio art courses.
Erin Napier
A transfer student from Jones County Junior College, Erin (B.F.A. in Art with graphic design emphasis, 2007) began a successful stationary business, Luxury Luxe. Her business was launched to success through social media and was later featured in many top magazines. Her creativity caught the eye of a HGTV producer and resulted in the hit show Home Town. On the program, Erin and her husband Ben, also a University of Mississippi graduate, help residents of Laurel, Mississippi find and renovate homes. "Small towns are restored by regular people who embrace their story. Every town has a story, and Mississippians are really good at telling stories. We are a storytelling people." A very engaged alumna, Erin visits art classes each spring as a guest speaker where she explains to students the difficult decision she made in the beginning of her career to let go of her reliable paycheck in order to pursue her creative ambitions.
Student Organizations
Join the Student Art Association, Mud Daubers, the Print Rebellion, Rebel Sculpture Society, Clicks, Painting Guild, American Institute for Graphic Arts, and Kappa Pi, an international art honor society.