Where Artists Are Made
The Department of Fine Arts is where bold ideas meet rigorous craft. Housed in a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment, our programs support contemporary art practice across material, conceptual and technological approaches that empower you to develop a distinct artistic voice and contribute to the conversations shaping culture today.
Whether you’re drawn to the tactile experience of handmade objects, the expressive power of paint and print, or the infinite possibilities of three-dimensional and new media work, you’ll find your place here. Our programs blend historical perspective with contemporary discourse, giving you the critical foundation and studio skills to thrive as a working artist.
Why study fine arts at VCUarts?
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Work in purpose-built studios for ceramics, glass fiber, metals and wood. Our facilities offer dedicated spaces for painting, drawing, lithography, screenprinting, digital media and more. You’ll also find areas for sculpture and extended media production.
Undergraduate students sharpen their skills in well-equipped workspaces. Graduate students have private and semi-private studios to work in.
Interdisciplinary Freedom
Our curriculum encourages students to explore across media, from traditional techniques to digital fabrication and emerging technologies. You can navigate between disciplines easily and discover your unique creative approach.
World-Class Faculty Mentorship
Our faculty bring a broad range of artistic methods and philosophical views to both the classroom and studio. They promote a rigorous and supportive atmosphere through mentorship, critique and collaboration. This approach encourages growth in intellectual, emotional, and creative aspects.
Visiting Artist Program
Build your professional network and expand your perspective. Participate in classroom lectures, workshops, studio visits, and critiques. Engage with influential artists, scholars and makers from across the nation and the world.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Department of Fine Arts has a rich history in the School of the Arts. It prepares you to be an innovative artist, a creative thinker and a collaborator. You’ll connect with creative communities in Richmond, along the East Coast, across the country and even around the world.
Our Fine Arts Programs
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What does it mean to make something by hand, and why does it matter? As a Craft and Material Studies major, you’ll explore those questions by directly engaging with materials in a core areas of study: glassworking, fiber, ceramics and metal. Degrees Offered: B.F.A., Minor, M.F.A. -
This is where traditional studio disciplines meet the full breadth of contemporary art practice. You’ll dive deep into painting, drawing and printmaking and become fluent in socially engaged practices, creative coding, video, performance and more. Degrees Offered: B.F.A., Minor, M.F.A. -
Here, you can push the boundaries of what art can be. Our highly flexible, interdisciplinary curriculum is built for artists who refuse to be confined by a single medium or methodology. Chart your own creative course. Degrees Offered: B.F.A., Minor, M.F.A.
