»Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art

 

 

 

 

Students declared in the BFA in Art program participate in many shared learning experiences throughout the comprehensive studio art curriculum. Freshman and Sophomores explore a broad range of media in foundational studio courses designed to develop technical proficiencies. Sophomores and Juniors explore a range of contemporary artistic practices through required courses in Contemporary Gallery Practice, Modernism and Contemporary Art History, and the Junior exhibition. Juniors and seniors take four intermedia interdisciplinary studio art courses that promote critical and conceptual thinking as they develop individual artistic voices. The senior seminar course is the capstone experience in the program requiring students to install an exhibition of their artwork in Chapman’s Guggenheim Gallery, and write an accompanying thesis statement. Every semester, students work together to install The Departmental, an exhibition that is judged by visiting professional artists and gallerists. 

Program Learning Outcomes

We engage students to participate in personalized education that helps them develop an independent, informed and articulate voice as an artist, which they will demonstrate through their studio work, artist statement and exhibition. Students will produce a body of artwork that evidences a mutually reinforcing integration of form and content. They are expected to use identifying and comparative language to explain how their own artwork is positioned within the general context of contemporary artistic practice both orally and in writing. 

AP Art scores can be counted towards GE credit but will not be considered to count towards the major in art.

  • Current students, please contact the Department of Art for information at art@chapman.edu.

Toggle Section

Previous Years Tracking Sheets

Intergrated

Visual Thinker Lecture SeriesThe Department of Art hosts lectures every semester designed for students to explore visual culture from a wide range of art professionals across disciplines offering opportunities to learn, be inspired, and network. Recent scholars and artist include;  April Bey, Mark Steger, Nancy Baker Cahill, Amy Adler, Ken Gonzales-Day, Monique van Genderen, Dr. Nizan Shaked, Rachel Mason, Curtis Santiago, A.L. Steiner, Andrea Bowers, and Zachary Drucker.

What is Art Club?
The What Is Art Club is an official campus organization and provides a great opportunity for studio art majors and minors to collaborate with each other and with students from across campus on artistic activities, field trips, guest speakers, movie screenings, sketchbook nights, and more.

Interdisciplinary

Students in Photography workshopSome examples of interdisciplinary courses in the 384 series are: Art and Spirituality, Installation Art, Curatorial Practices, The Intersections of Art and Science, Collaborations with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Interdisciplinary Practices. Study in Berlin and Venice. The summer travel course, " International Contemporary Art of Berlin and Venice" offers a dynamic overview of historic and contemporary art, architecture and culture with visits renowned Documenta quintennial exhibition in Kassel, Germany, as well as museums, galleries, artist studios, and the Venice Biennale.

Personalized Education

Mentorships
Students independently organize and produce work and participate in a group exhStudents preparing for exhibitionibition in Spring of their Junior year. In the Fall of their Senior year, students prepare for a Senior Exhibition with a committee preparing them to produce and exhibit their capstone work in Spring. This path gives students an opportunity to develop an independent voice while having creative and academic guidance from faculty who are professional, practicing artists.

Exhibition
While most studio classes include sections on the presentation of art, our students study the history, theory and day to day business of running a gallery and curation through courses such as Art 296 Contemporary Gallery Practice and Art 384 E Curatorial Practice. Students will interact directly with Museum Curators, Gallerists, Gallery Directors and Artists, learning first-hand about the presentation of artwork in professional settings, such as museums, commercial galleries, non-profit art spaces and artist-run galleries.

In our campus gallery and project spaces, students have the opportunity to experiment with the learned concepts and their individual ideas curating their own exhibitions (including the "Departmental", a juried exhibition, each semester) and producing accompanying material, such as press releases, exhibition essays and exhibition documentation.

International Opportunities

Student DrawingWe encourage students to participate in study abroad programs. Studying overseas provides a unique opportunity, which can open up fresh perspectives on international political, economic and social issues, interpersonal relationships and ultimate career choices. Read more about Global Education! »

Students can study abroad in a variety of ways – taking one intensive course during interterm or summer, or spending a whole semester in another country, or even at sea. Recently, students have studied in countries such as Prague, Italy, Costa Rica, England, France, Argentina, Germany and Spain. The studio department offers two studio courses;  ‘The Origins of Art and Science: the Rise and Influence of Alchemy, Anatomy, Machines, and Astronomical Discoveries in Art of the Italian Renaissance” is a three week studio course offered every other Interterm, and  “Contemporary Art in Berlin and Venice” is a three week course offered every other summer where students visit galleries, artist studios and underground spaces in Berlin, Germany, and see the Venice Biennale in Italy.

Internships

Studio Art majors and minors are encouraged to conduct at least one internship any time after their 1st year at Chapman and students can partner with the Career and Professional Development office and a department of Art faculty member as they work.  Internship locations include contemporary art galleries, artist studios, photography studios, galleries, museums, and industries that support the arts. The department has established relationships with several top tier galleries in Los Angeles, and offer students competitive internships that provide professional experience and an insider’s look at the contemporary art world. Take a look below!