Visual Arts (B.A.)
Employ the elements and principles of art and design in this competitive program through an introduction to a multitude of design disciplines that will help you grow personally and professionally. Your perspective is your only limitation as you explore changing technologies and hone your artistic techniques.
- Degrees & Offerings
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- B.A.
- Location
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- Bloomsburg
- Mansfield
- Department
- Program Contact
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Chair of the Department of Visual Arts
Notice: We are no longer offering the Visual Arts (B.A.) program at Lock Haven. This program will continue to be offered at the Bloomsburg and Mansfield campus locations.
Commonwealth University’s Visual Arts BA degree is a liberal arts program that allows for study within your preferred visual arts discipline while providing the flexibility to develop a well-rounded liberal arts education. Many students pursue a second major or a minor in another discipline, including psychology (to pursue art therapy), theater, or media and journalism.
Focused study and numerous concentration options, along with state-of-the-art facilities, makes CU the ideal place to pursue your art education.
Students pursue art studio for many reasons, including self-expression, to learn an artistic process, and to pursue a vocation in the field. Students in Visual Arts may develop skills that will be a deep source of personal satisfaction now and throughout life. In the Visual Arts BA program, students learn the discipline and technical processes for creating art, as well as the aesthetic principles associated with that medium through historical studies.
The program includes concentrations in Art History, Ceramics, Digital Media, Drawing, Fabric Design, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture.
Course Delivery Format
Bloomsburg
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Lock Haven
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Mansfield
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Clearfield
Face-to-Face
Online
Hybrid
Courses and Curriculum
Visual Arts
At all campuses, spacious facilities with high ceilings, good natural light, modern technology, and state-of-the-art equipment permit you to work on projects large and small, with room for large group discussions or individual critique. Studios have up-to-date equipment and supplies, as well as traditional tools, to give the individual artist the maximum range of expression. We encourage you to visit our individual campuses for tours and class visits to really get a feeling for our amazing spaces!
At CU-Bloomsburg, the department operates the Haas Gallery of Art located on campus at the Haas Center for Performing Arts and the Gallery at Greenly Center in downtown Bloomsburg. These galleries feature regular exhibitions of diverse art forms and gallery lectures by nationally/internationally recognized visiting artists as well as exhibitions of student work and curatorial projects throughout the year.
The Visual Arts Department maintains a diverse permanent art collection with works displayed throughout the campus in many of the academic, administrative, and residence facilities. The collection represents a vital resource enriching the aesthetic and cultural climate of CU-Bloomsburg. Works of art in the permanent collection have been acquired from individuals, bequests, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and The Childe Hassam Fund of The American Academy of Arts and Letters.
At CU-Lock Haven, the John Sloan Fine Arts Center and Bentley Gallery are modern facilities that play an important role in the art department’s outreach to the local and campus communities. Numerous regional and international artists exhibit their work here each year. The Visual Arts department also partners with The Train Station gallery for exhibition opportunities outside the University. The Train Station Gallery is located in the city of Lock Haven and is run by the Clinton County Arts Council.
The Mansfield campus art gallery is committed to fulfilling the mission of the university: scholarship, service, culture and character. Thomas Loomis, our benefactor, with his unwavering foresight, embodied all of these ideals in his tenure as both Gallery Director and Professor of Art. Therefore, the Mansfield Foundation formally designated the name of "The Loomis Gallery" to honor Professor Loomis's perseverance and dedication to Art at CU-Mansfield.
The Loomis Gallery offers pristine facilities that play an important role in the art department’s outreach to the local and campus communities. A regular schedule of renowned national/international artists exhibit within Loomis Gallery in addition to students and local groups, which supports our goal of nurturing a constant cultural presence for professional artists and promoting the arts for the enrichment and enjoyment of all those who live and work in our region. The Loomis Gallery events and exhibits are sponsored by the 51, the Student Government Association, the Department of Visual Arts at Mansfield, and the Mansfield Foundation.
Practical Learning
Careers
Many graduates immediately work as professional artists and designers. Employers and design clients include:
- Oprah Winfrey
- Corvette Magazine
- Good Beer Hunting
- CRC Health Group
- Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission
Clubs and Organizations
CU-Bloomsburg Campus:
Photo Club and Graphic Design Club
Internships
CU students have found successful internships with:
- Galleries
- Photo studios
- Geisinger Medical Center
- The Press Enterprise
- WNEP-TV
- Allentown Art Museum
- Disney Studios
- Bloomsburg Public Schools
- Allentown Art Museum
The Commonwealth Difference
Careers
Career options are vast for Visual Arts students!
Potential Job Opportunities
- Commercial Art Gallery Manager
- Exhibition Designer
- Illustrator
- Printmaker
- Art Studio Technician
- Fashion/Textile Designer
- Photojournalist
- Graphic Designer
- Web Developer
- Interior Design
- Museum/Gallery Curator
- Costume Designer
- Multimedia Programmer
Annual Career Workshops
A panel of art faculty covers professional development topics, including preparing a quality portfolio for a job or graduate school, entering juried exhibitions and grant competitions, applying to graduate school in art and related fields, and considering internships and artist residencies.
Exit Show
Graduating seniors in studio art are expected to hold an exit show of work from their concentration.
Portfolio Reviews
Art department faculty members assess the achievements of studio art majors during annual reviews. The portfolio reviews are also a chance for students to hear from a group of professors across disciplines and reflect on their own progress as young artists.
Visual Arts Program Contacts
Applying to This Program
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Application Process
Review the step-by-step process whether you're a first-year student, transferring to CU, or more.
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By starting your application, you gain access to your personalized application portal to view your progress.
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