This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2025-2026 VCU Bulletin. Courses that expose students to cutting-edge content and transformative learning may be added and notification of additional program approvals may be received prior to finalization. General education program content is also subject to change. The final edition and full PDF version will include these updates and will be available in August prior to the beginning of the fall semester.
Peter Baldes
Associate professor and chair
Faculty and students in the Department of Painting and Printmaking work together in a professional and creative learning environment. The undergraduate curriculum enables students to adopt a specialized focus within the discipline and use elective options to pursue other areas of interest in the School of the Arts, the university and the community. It also permits students to tailor a course of study suited to their professional and personal ambitions. The undergraduate program provides students with opportunities for concentrated experiences in both practice and theory as a foundation for independent exploration and artistic development. Classroom discussions invite students to examine a range of contemporary critical issues, which enable them to understand their own studio work in relation to historical continuum. As students develop their skills in critical analysis they are challenged to articulate and justify their ideas both visually and verbally.
The size and diversity of the faculty guarantee exposure to a plurality of ideas and stylistic approaches. In addition, the department's visiting artist program brings to campus leading figures in the world of contemporary art for discussions of their work, critiques of student work and workshops.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing this program:
- Students are expected to achieve technical proficiency in painting and printmaking, and possess the skill to translate their creative ideas through studio practice.
- Students are expected to develop personal voices as artists based on an awareness of social, historical and critical issues.
- Students have the ability to think critically and to articulate their ideas via conversation, public speaking and writing.
- Students comprehend the potential impact of contemporary art on culture.
Special requirements
Successful completion of ARTF 131, ARTF 132, ARTF 133 and ARTF 134 are required for current art foundation students to major in painting and printmaking.
- Open electives: The 12 credits required in this area may be either academic (lecture) or studio, but nine additional studio credits must be taken outside of the Department of Painting and Printmaking.
- Studio courses are designed to be taken in the following sequence: 200 level (basic), 300 level (intermediate) and 400 level (advanced). Instructors may ask you to withdraw from a course if you lack the appropriate background of knowledge and experience.
Degree requirements for Painting and Printmaking, Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)
| Course | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General education | ||
| Select 30 credits of general education courses in consultation with an adviser. | 30 | |
| Major requirements | ||
| • Major core requirements | ||
| PAPR 201 | Painting From Observation | 4 |
| PAPR 211 | Print Media I | 4 |
| PAPR 290 | Concepts and Issues | 3 |
| PAPR 292 | Concepts and Issues II | 3 |
| PAPR 390 | Junior Seminar | 3 |
| PAPR 402 | Senior Degree Project | 4 |
| PAPR 490 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| • Additional major requirements | ||
| PAPR 304 | Paint Practice and Theory | 4 |
| or PAPR 314 | Print Practice and Theory | |
| • Major electives | ||
| PAPR 300- to 400-level courses in painting, printmaking or drawing | 12 | |
| Ancillary requirements | ||
| Art Foundation Program | ||
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 139 | Project Studio | 2 |
| or ARTF 138 | Project Seminar | |
| ARTH 103 & ARTH 104 | Survey of Art I and Survey of Art II | 6 |
| Additional requirements | ||
| ARTH electives | 9 | |
| Studio electives (outside PAPR) 1 | 9 | |
| Open electives | ||
| Select any course. | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Select from COAR, CRAF, DANC, FASH, GDES, IDES, KINE, APPM/MHIS, PHTO, SCPT or THEA.
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.
What follows is a sample plan that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.
Recommended course sequence/plan of study
| Freshman year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall semester | Hours | |
| ARTF 131 | Drawing Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 132 | Surface Research | 3 |
| ARTF 139 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 103 | Survey of Art I | 3 |
UNIV 111  Play course video for Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | Introduction to Focused Inquiry: Investigation and Communication | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| ARTF 133 | Space Research | 3 |
| ARTF 134 | Time Studio | 3 |
| ARTF 139 or ARTF 138 | Project Studio or Project Seminar | 1 |
| ARTH 104 | Survey of Art II | 3 |
| UNIV 112 Play course video for Focused Inquiry II | Focused Inquiry II (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Sophomore year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| PAPR 201 | Painting From Observation | 4 |
| PAPR 211 | Print Media I | 4 |
| PAPR 290 | Concepts and Issues | 3 |
| UNIV 200 | Advanced Focused Inquiry: Literacies, Research and Communication (satisfies general education UNIV foundations) | 3 |
| Term Hours: | 14 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| PAPR 292 | Concepts and Issues II | 3 |
| 300/400 level PAPR studio elective | 4 | |
| Studio elective (outside of PAPR) | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 13 | |
| Junior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| PAPR304 or PAPR314 or PAPR 300/400-level PAPR studio elective | 4 | |
| ARTH elective | 3 | |
| Studio elective (outside of PAPR) | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Open electives | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| PAPR 390 | Junior Seminar | 3 |
| General education course | 3 | |
| ARTH elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| 300/400 level PAPR studio elective | 4 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Senior year | ||
| Fall semester | ||
| PAPR 490 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| PAPR 300- or 400-level electives | 4 | |
| ARTH elective | 3 | |
| Open electives | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 16 | |
| Spring semester | ||
| PAPR 402 | Senior Degree Project | 4 |
| Studio elective (outside of PAPR) | 3 | |
| Open elective | 3 | |
| General education course | 3 | |
| Term Hours: | 13 | |
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.