Student work on a vase in the pottery studio

Art (B.F.A.) Major

Do you love to create thought-provoking work, explore different mediums, and use visuals to communicate ideas?

At a glance

The B.F.A. in Art is a professional degree for studio art and art education majors, allowing you to explore various mediums and gain a foundational knowledge base in art history. You’ll get opportunities to learn from masters of their crafts as well as look back upon art throughout the ages, different forms of expression, and their impact on society. 

Degree typeBachelor of Fine Arts
FormatOn campus
Part ofCollege of Liberal Arts
Competitive major?No
Accelerated option?No
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Concentrations

A concentration allows you to specialize in a certain area within your major, offering a depth of information and hands-on experiences that you may not otherwise get. Many students in this major will concentrate in one area to work in a specific field after college, as well as find mentors and internships before they even graduate.

Art Education

Embrace the artist-teacher concept and develop a studio practice while preparing to teach art at the K-12 level. Collaborate with local school district art departments as well as community and CSU learning programs to craft educational experiences in the Front Range community and beyond.

Drawing

Build a solid foundation in the basics of drawing and perception skills, acquire a visual vocabulary, and explore personal expression and a broad range of ideas and theories. Explore line, shape, value, texture, form, and space and pursue intellectual and creative interests.

Electronic Art

Learn about experimental video and animation techniques, net art, video and board games, and using software as a medium for creative output. Gain technical skills that are complemented by research on contemporary art, current technology, and the role of new media art.

Fibers

Create and transform fabrics and fiber structures into works of expression through weaving, surface design, and related textile techniques. Investigate the interactions of traditional fine art, craft, and digital technologies.

Graphic Design

Study and master graphic design theory, history, and professional practices to create artistic expressions in print and digital media, and experiment with treatments of typography and illustration. Learn about the role of design in culture and acquire an open toolset that is aligned with professional standards of excellence.

Metalsmithing

Explore traditional metalsmithing techniques and learn how traditional skill intersects with modern technology. Learn about a broad range of processes, skills, and concepts to express your unique, creative voice.

Painting

Study tradition and convention to understand painting’s historical value along with its relevance and potential in the context of contemporary culture and dynamics. Challenge the notion of what painting is by experimentation with materials, tools, and surfaces.

Photo Image Making

Learn the fundamentals of photographic practice, gain an understanding of its connections to the contemporary art world, and explore personal applications of photography and photo image creation. Learn the technical fundamentals and foundations of photography, as well as the visual language and aesthetics.

Pottery

Learn processes within the contemporary field such as hand building, wheel throwing, slip casting, glaze calculation, and kiln loading and firing. Develop critical, technical, and manual skills and explore expression through the functional artistry of ceramic creation.

Printmaking

Develop a sound technical background in a variety of tools, methods, and techniques to cultivate a strong studio practice in prints and explore new, authentic research, now and beyond graduation. Immerse yourself in a community workshop atmosphere, interact with other serious, highly motivated artists, and share visual concepts and technical investigations.

Sculpture

Experiment and innovate while exploring object-making, installation, site-based work, performance, time-based art, and digital processes. Through exposure to a variety of technical processes, materials, and conceptually based explorations, develop a rich practice of making and expression.

Some Career Options

Graduating with a B.F.A. in Art will provide you with a number of transferable skills in communication, analysis, and critical thinking that are vital for work in traditional business as well as positions in academia and roles as freelance artists, graphic designers, art educators, art historians, studio artists and as “creatives” in government, marketing, and nonprofits.

Related CSU majors

Related CSU graduate programs

Tour and info session options

Tours may be available as part of Admissions tours and info sessions, offered throughout the year.

For additional opportunities, please reach out to:

College of Liberal Arts recruiter at [email protected] or (970) 821-5276 (Text friendly. Please include your/the student’s full name in the message.)

academic Info and Tips

Explore even more

Want a more in-depth look at this major? Take a look at the program website to learn more.