This is the preliminary (or launch) version of the 2026-2027 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.
The Department of Fine Arts encompasses the disciplines of craft and material studies, painting and printmaking, and sculpture and extended media within a vibrant, interdisciplinary environment supporting contemporary art practice across material, conceptual and technological approaches. The department offers three Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees: craft and material studies, painting and printmaking, and sculpture as well as a Master of Fine Arts with concentrations in ceramics, fiber, glassworking, jewelry/metalworking, painting and printmaking, and sculpture.
Across all programs, students engage deeply with artistic production through historical and contemporary discourse, critical inquiry and rigorous studio practice. The department cultivates a culture of experimentation, intellectual curiosity and fearless innovation, encouraging artists to develop distinct voices while contributing to the evolving conversations shaping contemporary art and culture.
Coursework encourages interdisciplinary exploration across a wide range of media, allowing students to work between traditional processes and emerging technologies. The department is housed in state-of-the-art facilities that integrate analog and digital resources, including specialized studios for ceramics, glass, wood, fiber and metals; painting and drawing; etching, lithography, screen printing,and digital print media; and expansive sculpture and extended media production spaces. Private and semi-private graduate studios, well-equipped undergraduate workspaces and access to fabrication resources create an immersive learning environment that supports practices ranging from time-honored techniques to experimental approaches.
Faculty represent a broad spectrum of artistic methodologies and philosophical perspectives, spanning material-based inquiry and conceptually driven interdisciplinary practices. Through mentorship, critique and collaborative exchange, faculty foster a rigorous yet supportive atmosphere that encourages intellectual, emotional and creative growth. Students refine their critical awareness, expand their analytical and creative capacities, and actively engage in the cultural dialogues of their time.
The department maintains an active visiting artist program that brings leading contemporary artists, scholars and makers to campus for lectures, workshops, studio visits and critiques, expanding students’ exposure to professional practices and diverse perspectives.
Rooted in a long history of excellence within the School of the Arts while oriented toward future forms of art-making, the Department of Fine Arts prepares students to become innovative artists, thoughtful collaborators and engaged contributors to creative communities locally and globally.
Students who complete the requirements for the below will receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Craft and Material Studies.
Students who complete the requirements for the below will receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking.
Students who complete the requirements for the below will receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture.