Art
Art has been part of human culture throughout history. Today it influences almost every aspect of our lives, from clothing fashions, culinary presentation, and housing design to advertising, building and landscape architecture, leisure pursuits, and much more. Artists ceaselessly create new art in countless mediums, and art historians study, interpret, and document their works and influence across time.
Why Study at Iowa?
Iowa was one of the first universities in the nation to unite studio art, art history, and art education in one school. The School of Art & Art History continues to offer all three programs, reflecting its philosophy that artists benefit from the study of artistic traditions, historians learn from personal experience with the creation of art, and teachers need a firm foundation in both.
Iowa also pioneered the concept of artist as teacher. As an art or art history major, you’ll work with faculty members who have national and international reputations and whose art and publications are included in collections all over the world.
At Iowa, you’ll find yourself surrounded by art. You’ll encounter sculptures everywhere on campus, and you may study in university buildings designed by well-known architects, present and past. You’re sure to visit the Iowa Memorial Union, where you’ll see UI Museum of Art exhibits and countless works by university artists, including your professors.
If you’re a studio artist, you’ll choose from programs in ceramics, graphic design, 3-D design, drawing, intermedia, jewelry and metal arts, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. U.S.News & World Report ranks Iowa’s printmaking program 4th in the nation. The School of Art and Art History also offers a BA in Art History.
Course Work
Students majoring in art earn a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. All students begin in the BA program.
BA Program in Art
Courses for students in the BA program include:
- Four art history courses
- Three studio art foundation courses (beginning Fall 2013)
- Two courses in 3-D studio art programs: ceramics, intermedia, jewelry and metal arts, sculpture, and 3D design
- Two courses in 2-D studio art programs: drawing, graphic design, painting, photography, printmaking
- Three or more art and/or art history elective courses
BFA Program in Art
If you apply and are admitted to the BFA program, you'll complete additional work in studio art, and you’ll present an exhibit of your work before you graduate.
Teaching Licensure in Art
If you are interested in teaching art in elementary or secondary schools, you will need to complete the College of Education's Teacher Education Program, which includes student teaching. You will take additional studio art courses as well as education-related courses such as human relations, educational psychology, elementary and secondary education, special education, and concepts and methods in art education. You’ll also conduct case studies of individuals making and responding to art, observe art classrooms, teach in a Saturday children’s workshop, and participate in artist-in-residence programs in secondary schools.
Minor in Art
See Art & Art History in the UI General Catalog to learn more.
Admission Requirements
All art majors need to meet the requirements for admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Admission to the BFA program in Art is selective. Interested students must first be admitted to the BA program in art, then work with a faculty member in their major studio art area for information about admission to the BFA program.
Admission Requirements Tabs
Student Opportunities
In addition to having nearly 500 Student Organizations, Iowa students choose from multiple Living-Learning Communities, Study Abroad Programs, and Undergraduate Research Opportunities.
Art students may wish to apply to live in the Arts Living-Learning Community in the residence halls.
Faculty, Facilities, and Resources
Most of the University of Iowa arts campus was damaged or destroyed by Iowa River flooding in 2008. While existing facilities are being renovated and new ones are being built, the School of Art and Art History is conducting business as usual in several facilities. Studio Arts, a large building in southwest Iowa City, was refurbished extensively for artists' work and instruction. Classroom space, studio areas, and faculty offices are housed there and at other locations on campus.
As an art student, you’ll have access to a variety of specialized studio art facilities, including:
- Wood and metal shops
- Steel sculpture welding and fabrication facilities
- Painting and drawing studios
- Digital photography lab
- Graphic and 3-D design computer labs
- Photography and silk-screen facilities
- Electroforming equipment
- Kilns
- Video equipment
The Art Library houses 100,000 volumes, an outstanding collection of periodicals, and extensive microfilm and microfiche collections.
Careers
Many art and art history graduates pursue careers that match their degree specializations, for example, commercial or graphic designer, conservation or museum curator or administrator, art educator, public artist, or community art center coordinator or instructor. Others go on to graduate study in areas such as art history, art therapy, architecture, design, medical illustration, studio art, or disciplines outside of art.
Scholarships
Consult multiple sources for scholarship information, including the Office of Admissions, the Office of Student Financial Aid, and departmental web sites.
Application Process
Apply to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
