ART STUDIES
With a flexible curriculum and hands-on experiences, students develop the skills to create, analyze, and innovate in the visual arts, preparing for diverse careers in the art world and beyond.
ART, BA
The Bachelor of Arts in Art program offers a unique blend of a broad liberal arts education with focused studies in contemporary studio practices or art history. Students engage with the visual arts through diverse disciplines, tools, and approaches, developing the skills and language needed to push the boundaries of visual expression. Studio work is enriched by the study of art history, criticism, and theory, providing essential historical and contemporary contexts for art creation.
As part of the BA degree, students also study foreign languages and explore courses across the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, creating a well-rounded educational foundation. Pursuing a minor is a popular option, allowing students to customize their education based on personal and professional interests. Options include Education, which supports teaching certification requirements, as well as minors in Interdisciplinary Arts (IART), Art History, foreign languages, or humanities. Students may also explore programs like Graphic Communications Technology or Motion Media through the College of Technology.
Graduates of the program are prepared for a variety of careers, including:
- Exhibiting artists showcasing work in galleries, museums, and alternative art spaces
- Public school teachers (requires teaching certification)
- Entry-level roles in museums, galleries, non-profits, and other arts organizations
- Art therapy (requires graduate study)
- Fine arts industries such as fabrication, art handling, documentation, web design, and preservation
- Teaching and research roles at colleges and universities (requires graduate study).
This program equips students with the creative and analytical skills to thrive in the art world while offering flexibility to pursue individual passions and career goals.
Pursuing a minor is a popular way for students to explore individual interests and expand their expertise. Options include Education, which aligns with teaching certification requirements, or minors like Interdisciplinary Arts (IART) and Art History that build on arts courses. Students can also explore programs in other colleges, such as Graphic Communications Technology or Motion Media through the College of Technology.
Internships with Houston-based exhibition spaces are encouraged. Advanced undergraduate students whose Studio Art GPA are 3.0 or better, and MFA students may submit proposals to the area coordinator to do internships with alternative spaces, non-profit arts organizations, or museums for 3 semester credit hours. FotoFest continues to be a major resource for student internships. Other organizations that have participated are the Houston Center for Photography, Southwest Alternate Media Project, DiverseWorks, the Blaffer Gallery, Project Row Houses, the Aurora Picture Show and the Contemporary Art Museum Houston.
LEARN FROM THE BEST
- Rick Lowe, Professor
- Abinadi Meza, Associate Professor, Program Coordinator
- John Reed, Professor
- Stephan Hillerbrand, Professor, Program Coordinator