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Art Foundation Program

The Art Foundation Program (AFO) is an exciting first year that provides an intellectually rigorous, studio-based experience in the fundamental issues of art and design.  The program exposes students to a vast forum of ideas and concepts preparing them for a wide range of disciplines.  Art Foundation extends the depth of one’s skills, powers of observation and intellectual agility.  Students should expect to be challenged, to try new materials, strategies and ideas.

This fundamental Art Foundation education and exposure to a variety of mediums is just one aspect of the experience.  Students benefit from a peer group of other first-year visual art students who will go on to define the fields of art and design. Art Foundation prepares young artists for their next three years at VCUarts, and ultimately, for a sustained career in the arts. Artists and designers do not work in isolation, and a strong peer group is one of the privileges of being at VCUarts.  The relationships forged here remain with our students throughout their life in the arts.

About AFO

View the AFO plan of study

Upon entering the Art Foundation Program, some students have an idea of the department in which they want to study. Others may not be sure, and use the first year to help define their interests.

Completion of the Art Foundation Program is a prerequisite for entry into all visual art and design departments: Art Education, Communication Arts, Craft/Material Studies, Fashion Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Kinetic Imaging, Painting + Printmaking, Photography + Film, and Sculpture + Extended Media.

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four students working on projects on the floor of an a f o space research classroom
an a f o class gathered to watch and critique a performance
students gathered in an a f o drawing studio classroom for critique
students working in an Art Foundation Surface Research studio.
students throwing various props at green screen

News

Read more

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow: 2024 VCUarts Undergraduate Juried Exhibition
November 11, 2024
poster for event image of green skeleton with purple octopus arm around it

SPUKHAUS 2024: The Annual Immersive Art Experience Presented by AFO
October 18, 2024
"Qatar Week Exhibitions" in white text on bright pink and orange background with arabic letters

VCUarts Qatar Art & Design as a Form of Cultural Expression Exhibition at The Anderson
October 16, 2024

Gallery

Browse recent work by Art Foundation students.

Realistic drawing of European architecture beside a colorful, stylized drawing of the same architecture

By Luan Blazquez / Spring 2024

sculpture of a hunched-over, skeletal figure made from found twigs, branches, and trash

By Marissa Bookoff / Fall 2023

painting of a blue bird shot in the heart with a red arrow

By Addisyn Ackley / Spring 2024

Wesley Lee’s abstract ink drawing of intricate lines and shapes

By Wesley Lee / Spring 2024

Side by side self portrait drawings of Sophia done using charcoal

By Sophia Grinston / Spring 2021

veiled female bust sculpture adorned with pearls and gold rope

By Sherri Powell / Fall 2023

three sculptural lamps wrapped in colorful fabric and crocheted yarn

By Ava Noth / Spring 2024

Still from a video art piece featuring a student lying beside a machine prop in front of a green screen

By Zora Pauk / Spring 2024

Side by side self portraits in charcoal and graphite

Esther Lee / 2020

Contact Us

Contact
artfoundation@vcu.edu 804.828.1129
Address

609 Bowe Street, Room 502
Richmond, VA 23284

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