Your path: BA in Art
BA in Art
Today, visual communication is as important as written communication. From the painting studio to the computer desktop, the art programs at Marylhurst seek to connect you to contemporary professions such as design, photography or gallery administration.
You will study with working professional artists. Our faculty participate in regular gallery shows, produce large-scale commissioned artworks, and design public spaces. Their goal as teachers is to help you discover your identity as an artist. Seminar-style classes – an average seven-to-one student-faculty ratio – provide an environment for ample student-teacher interaction and constructive feedback.
Bachelor of Arts Degree
The Bachelor of Arts degree program is ideal for students seeking a general knowledge of art for the purpose of working in art-related fields, art administration, art education or preparing to enter the Marylhurst MA in Art Therapy Counseling program. For the BA degree, 78 credits in art are required, including fundamental courses in design, drawing, art history and photography.
Practical Opportunities
Professional Connections
Our objective is to help you understand art as a profession. You will visit exhibitions, discuss current literature and tour galleries and museums. You will learn how business is done as you become acquainted with the issues and personalities in the art community.
Professional Practices
Our faculty are active in the art community – exhibiting their work, installing commissioned pieces, serving on committees, working with professional organizations. You will learn from their experiences through informal studio conversation. Two classes, Orientation to the Visual Art Community and Professional Practices, provide a formal introduction to and knowledge of the art community.
Internships
In actual art business environments, you will receive hands-on experience with gallery management, arts organizations, or the art studio business.
Exhibitions
The Art Gym at Marylhurst University has one of the foremost art exhibition programs in the Pacific Northwest. For more than 25 years, the gallery has brought high quality, challenging exhibitions to our students and the greater community. Artists whose work is shown in The Art Gym are frequent guest lecturers, as are other members of the art community. You will interact with these professionals, learning how ideas are developed and careers are made.
Career Paths
Graduates are prepared to produce artworks based on the concepts, concerns and techniques of the contemporary artist. They may pursue gallery representation or public commissions, become teachers, art consultants or museum employees. Students who choose specialized training in photography or computer applications may find employment in fields such as studio photography, photography labs, advertising or computer-aided design. Graduates are also prepared to apply to master's degree programs in the visual arts, design, architecture, art education or art therapy.