Art + Design, School of

College of Fine Arts
School of Art + Design
Seigfred Hall 528
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.4290
Fax: 740.593.0457
www.ohio.edu/fine-arts/art

Duane McDiarmid, Director
mcdiarmi@ohio.edu

Overview

The School of Art + Design at Ohio University is committed to developing professional artists, designers, and scholars who are dedicated to public discourse. Practice and production are both emphasized and informed by aesthetic, intellectual, political, historical, cultural, and critical awareness. We see the visual arts at Ohio University as transformative for communities, society, and ourselves. Our students come from diverse geographic, ethnic, cultural, and aesthetic backgrounds. This diversity is reﬂected both in the School of Art + Design and the College of Fine Arts, which also includes the Schools of Dance, Film, Interdisciplinary Arts, Music and Theater. Students are encouraged to become involved in various art forms, to experiment in interdisciplinary approaches, and to ﬁnd the innate relationship within and across these expressive disciplines. Within the School of Art + Design, you will ﬁnd a distinguished and dedicated faculty. These individuals work hard to maintain a healthy balance between teaching expertise, professional creative work, scholarly research, and community service. We maintain a strong commitment to our undergraduate and graduate programs. Our facilities are well equipped for each discipline area. To attract the best quality students, we offer numerous undergraduate scholarships. Four exhibition spaces showcase the works of students, faculty, and nationally renowned visiting artists, providing arts experiences for the University and Athens communities. These services bring a global perspective to our rich local culture. Whether you are a prospective student, alumnus, or other interested visitor, please visit our website to learn even more about our excellent School’s programs, faculty, and staff.

The Program

Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in Studio Art or Art History; a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a major in Studio Art and a concentration in art therapy, ceramics, painting + drawing, photography + integrated media, printmaking, digital art + technology, or sculpture + expanded practice; a B.F.A in Graphic Design; and a B.F.A. in Interior Architecture, offered in person and online via OHIO Online™. Our facilities include an extensive range of ceramic kilns; a sculpture building with metal working equipment, a modern foundry, a comprehensive woodshop; painting and drawing studios; printmaking facilities with screenprinting, lithography, etching, typesetting presses, and digital equipment for producing large-scale prints; graphic design labs; and a photography area with darkrooms, studios, and computers for digital imagery. Digital fabrication machinery, such as laser cutters, CNC router, and 3-D printers are available. All art majors have 24-hour access to most studio spaces. All students have access to the major collections in the Frederick and Kazuko Fine Arts Library, which provides access to physical and electronic materials across multiple formats. Together with the Robert E. and Jean R. Mahn Center for Archives and Special Collections, the Fine Arts Library offers students access to rare and unique materials including artists’ books, zines, photographic materials, archival collections, manuscript facsimiles, artistic and anthropological objects, manuscript and printed texts, and more. The Harris Fine Arts Library is a well-rounded research collection with particular strengths in alternative art publications, East Asian art, the history of photography, papermaking and bookmaking, and the visual culture of Appalachian Ohio.

On-campus study collections include the Kennedy Collection of Native American Art, the Kennedy Collection of African Art, and the Trisolini Contemporary Print Collection, as well as exhibitions curated at the Kennedy Museum of Art. Our Visiting Artists program regularly brings to campus internationally known artists and scholars.

The Process

All new students enter the School of Art + Design by applying to their intended School of Art + Design degree program through the OHIO admission process. The School of Art + Design offers B.F.A. degrees with majors in Studio Art (with concentrations in Art Therapy, Digital Art + Technology, Ceramics, Painting + Drawing, Photography + Integrated Media, Printmaking, and Sculpture + Expanded Practice) and B.F.A. degrees with majors in Graphic Design and Interior Architecture. All B.F.A. studio areas require a portfolio submission at the time of application and will also result in a culminating capstone event in achieving the degree.

The School of Art + Design also offers B.A degrees, with majors in Studio Art and Art History. No portfolio submission is required to enter the B.A. degrees. The B.A. offers students the opportunity to pursue second major in another discipline. Dual B.A. degrees are common in the School of Art + Design. For more information concerning possible dual degrees, please see the Ohio University catalog for a comprehensive list of all available degrees.

Students in the School have shared experiences during their ﬁrst year in the foundations program. This program provides students with a basis for critical and creative thinking by giving them a broad range of experiences in the studio and classroom. The ﬁrst year also gives students the opportunity to integrate their general education studies with their development as growing artists and scholars.

Advising

The School of Art + Design makes academic advising an integral part of the educational experience. Students are encouraged to consult regularly with advisors concerning the selection of courses and progress toward fulﬁlling degree requirements. Advisors also can help students prepare for annual scholarship applications. Other resources for advising and consulting include access to the Assistant Director of Student Services, the chair of the Foundations program, and the area chair in your major. Beginning in Fall Semester 2021, students who entered Ohio University in 2021 or later should consult with their OHIO Guarantee+ advisor and with their assigned School of Art + Design mentor.

Opportunities

Student organizations in the School of Art + Design are integral to our community and provide special opportunities outside of the classroom. The Undergraduate Art League (UAL) sponsors visiting artists, organizes annual juried exhibitions, and operates the student-run gallery, Cube4. The Bobcat Print Club holds fundraisers and supports visiting artist initiatives as well as conference travel. Students within the Interior Architecture program are eligible to hold membership in the Student Design Group, which is afﬁliated with the American Society of Interior Design (ASID) and International Interior Design Association (IIDA). Graphic Design students can also be part of the regional chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA). Field trips to conferences, museums and art events are common.

Scholarships

Detailed information on portfolio requirements can be obtained from the School of Art + Design website.

Incoming students are also considered for the OHIO Excellence Awards. These scholarships are awarded through the Ofﬁce of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and require certain criteria in order to be renewed each year. Once enrolled, recognition is given to art majors as they pursue their programs through the annual awarding of scholarships and prizes, including the College of Fine Arts Upperclass Dean’s Awards.

Work Experience

Program to Aid in Career Exploration (PACE) positions are designed to offer pre-professional experiences to undergraduates in all areas throughout the University. The School of Art + Design faculty and administrators employ PACE students, who learn as apprentices in many areas of the School. Some of these positions include: graphic designer, studio assistant, public relations assistant, studio art printer, graphic design lab manager, gallery assistant, webmaster, and newsletter editor. Students interested in this program must apply for PACE eligibility at the Ofﬁce of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Work-study positions are also available in the School of Art + Design. Motivated art students frequently ﬁnd internships at the Kennedy Museum of Art or in regional galleries. Upperclass art students may become Art Ambassadors for the school.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet general University admission guidelines to enroll in any School of Art + Design program. All incoming first year students who wish to pursue a degree in Art + Design are encouraged to submit a portfolio for talent scholarship consideration. Students who wish to pursue a BFA degree in Studio Art, Interior Architecture or Graphic Design should submit a portfolio at the time of application. All students will have the opportunity to submit an updated portfolio for program and concentration application during the fall and spring semesters.

Students who entered with a B.A. in studio art, entered with a general B.F.A. without selecting a concentration, or who desire to transfer into the School of Art + Design for a B.F.A. program may do so during the Spring semester. Students will be required to submit an application that states their desired B.F.A. concentration or major and a portfolio during week 7 of the semester (a week before Spring break). Students will be notiﬁed of the decision no later than week 10 of the semester, prior to registration. Upon notiﬁcation, students should meet with their currently assigned advisor for help with scheduling classes.

Major Areas and Requirements

Students may elect the B.A. with a major in Studio Art or Art History or seek admission into one of the B.F.A. studio majors, either at the time of submitting the application or during the Spring semester (see admission requirements above). The School of Art + Design requires a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.0 and an in-major GPA of 2.75. To graduate, students must satisfy the degree requirements of Ohio University, the College of Fine Arts, and the School of Art + Design. The following courses, may not be used to fulﬁll speciﬁc degree requirements in the School of Art + Design, including studio electives: ART 1100 , 1111 , 1121 , 1131 , 1141 , 1151 , 1161 , 1171 , 1181 , and 1191 . School of Art + Design students may use these courses as free electives only.

Transfer Requirements

Current Ohio University Undergraduate students who wish to begin pursuing a degree in the School of Art + Design should complete the application to the B.F.A. programs offered in Fall and Spring. Students who are unsure of their B.F.A concentration can elect to begin their studies through the B.A. in Studio Art and apply to a concentration the following term. Students who elect to pursue the BA in Studio Art may update their program plan without a portfolio review.

All incoming transfer students who wish to pursue a degree in Art + Design are encouraged to submit a portfolio for talent scholarship consideration. Students who wish to pursue a B.F.A. degree in Studio Art, Interior Architecture or Graphic Design should submit a portfolio at the time of application. All students will have the opportunity to submit an updated portfolio for program and concentration application during the fall and spring semesters.

Returning Students

Students wishing to return to complete a program after 10 years must reapply for acceptance. Credits earned prior to re-admittance are subject to review by the school for credit toward current major requirements.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts

Other Programs