School of Art

A. Flaten, Director

www.bsu.edu/art

The School of Art inspires and educates artists, designers, scholars and teachers. The School of Art offers four-year professional degree concentrations, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree, in animation, ceramics, drawing, glass, metals, painting, photography and intermedia art, printmaking, sculpture, and visual communication (graphic design), as well as a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Science (BS) degree with licensure in Art Education. Students may also pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in graphic arts management or in art with a concentration in either art history or studio art. A minor in art history also is available.

All concentration areas in the School of Art have fully dedicated studios and labs, including the state-of-the-art Marilyn Glick Center for Glass. A rich calendar of visiting artists, designers and scholars, as well as a full schedule of professional and student exhibitions in our Atrium Gallery, augment the curriculum. School of Art students and faculty also enjoy a close collaboration with the David Owsley Museum of Art on campus. Art majors have exceptional opportunities for internships, practicums, immersive learning, field trips, and study abroad. 

A portfolio is required for admittance to the BFA degree programs and for scholarship consideration. BA or BS degree students are not required to submit portfolios unless applying for art scholarships.

All students in the school complete a common first-year program of study comprised of required courses in drawing, design, and art history.

• First-time freshmen submit both the university application and art program application indicating the degree and program of interest. Before final acceptance into any art program, applicants must first be admitted to the university.

• The School of Art Admission and Scholarship Committee carefully screens all BFA degree applicants and decides which students to admit into the program based upon a review of academic records and portfolio of original work.

• Currently enrolled students who have not been admitted to the BFA degree program can take first-year foundation core courses as a BA studio art major beginning in the spring or summer terms. Currently enrolled BA students in studio art can later apply to the BFA degree program or elect to remain in the BA degree and complete the requirements for the studio art concentration.

• Students wanting to be considered for the BFA degree submit the art program application and portfolio of work upon completion of the foundation core (ADS 101, 102; AFA 101, 202) at the next scheduled review.

Transfer students from other universities are required to submit portfolios to the School of Art as well as transcripts for evaluation and admittance to the BFA degree program. BA or BS degree students are only required to submit portfolios for course evaluation. Applications and portfolios for BFA degree program consideration can be submitted to meet the deadlines for first-time freshmen or currently enrolled students.

• Transfer students specializing in any program must complete the first-year foundation core courses (ADS 101, 102; AFA 101, 202) before being admitted to areas of concentrations in the second year of study. For BFA students wanting a concentration in animation or visual communication, it is unusual for students to be admitted at any point other than at the beginning of the three-year sequence of courses.

• Course Evaluation for Transfer Students. In addition to submitting a portfolio for admission to the School of Art, transfer students from other universities are required to submit a portfolio of artwork and course syllabi to determine art program credit. We recommend transfer students keep course syllabi, project descriptions, and sketchbooks; preserve artwork or projects from each course (actual work or digital images); bring all materials for any review process; and to follow through with any part of the course evaluation process that was not completed at the first meeting.

Students specializing in any art program must receive grades of C or higher in all first-year foundation core courses (ADS 101, 102; AFA 101, 202) before enrolling in advanced level courses. Students must repeat courses in which they receive grades of C- or below. Students that meet the grade requirement then select an area of concentration for the second through fourth years of study. Concentrations involve a three-year sequence of courses beyond the first-year foundation core.

• Animation (BFA degree) – Students wanting to pursue this major concentration must undergo an additional review after successful completion of the foundation core (ADS 101, 102; AFA 101, 202). Review guidelines are revised periodically and made available through the School of Art.

• Visual Communication (BFA degree) – Students wanting to pursue this major concentration must undergo an additional review after successful completion of the foundation core (ADS 101, 102; AFA 101, 202). Review guidelines are revised periodically and made available through the School of Art.

• Visual Arts Education (BA/BS degree) – Students wanting to pursue a teaching major must meet all teacher certification and GPA requirements. An art portfolio is not required unless applying for art scholarships. Students are encouraged to meet with a faculty advisor.

All students in the school undergo periodic reviews of their portfolios throughout their undergraduate education. The school reserves the right to retain digital copies of student work for exhibition and accreditation. All concentrations require a senior thesis and/or an exit portfolio evaluation, presentation or exhibition.

Students are strongly advised to pursue required course sequences during the regular academic year. Summer school courses are limited and are subject to last minute changes or cancellations.

All students may enroll in art history courses based on the completion of the prerequisites. Minors in art history are not required to submit an art application but must receive approval from the School of Art. Minors may begin art courses in the spring or summer term. 

In accordance with the School of Art’s selective admission process all studio courses (ACR, ADS, AFA, ART) are open only to art majors except by permission of the director of the school. Art History (AHS) courses are open to non-majors as are a small number of studio courses.

Ball State University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

For more information, contact the School of Art, 765-285-5838.