Overview

The 63-hour program in fine arts is a professional degree (BFA) intended for those who want to pursue a career as an artist. It will prepare you for graduate school and help you build a strong portfolio. In this program, you will take courses in areas such as ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, sculpture and visual communication. 

Entry to this program is based on an evaluation of your portfolio, typically during your sophomore year at Calvin. 

Careers in Art - Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)

As a graduate of this program, you might find work as a:

• Fine Artist
• Illustrator
• Graphic Designer
• Photographer
• More

See job placement rates for Calvin grads.

Student involvement

Join other students in writing and photographing for the Chimes or Dialogue; get involved in the Visual Arts Guild.

Course Requirements 2011-12

Art - Bachelor of Fine Art (B.F.A.)

Entry and continuation in the B.F.A. program is based on faculty evaluation of your student portfolio. 

(63 semester hours)

• ART-153 Visual Culture

• One from:
  • ARTH-101 Intro to the History of Art I
  • ARCT-201 Architectural History I
• One from:
  • ARTH-102 Intro to the History of Art II
  • ARCT-202 Architectural History II
• One from:
  • ARTH-238 Nineteenth-Century Art
  • ARTH-239 Modernism and the Arts
  • ARTH-240 Contemporary Art
• One Art History elective
• Five from:
  • ARTS-250 Introduction to Drawing
  • ARTS-251 Introduction to Painting
  • ARTS-255 Communication Design I
  • ARTS-256 Introduction to Photography
  • ARTS-257 Introduction to Sculpture
  • ARTS-258 Introduction to Ceramics
• Four from:
  • ARTS-300 Intermediate Drawing
  • ARTS-301 Intermediate Painting
  • ARTS-305 Communication Design II
  • ARTS-306 Analogue Photography
  • ARTS-307 Intermediate Sculpture
  • ARTS-308 Intermediate Ceramics
  • ARTS-316 Digital Photography
• Three from:
  • ARTS-350 Advanced Drawing
  • ARTS-351 Advanced Painting
  • ARTS-355 Communication Design III
  • ARTS-356 Advanced Photography
  • ARTS-357 Advanced Sculpture
  • ARTS-358 Advanced Ceramics
  • ARTS-380 Internship in Communication Design
• Two electives from Art Studio or Art History
• ARTS-395 Senior Seminar in Studio Art

Scholarships

New students are automatically considered for general academic scholarships ranging from $1,000-15,000 based on a careful review of their application materials.

For a complete listing of departmental scholarships available to first-year students, use the Scholarship Search ».

Faculty