Why study studio art at BGSU in Ohio?
- NASAD accreditation. Bowling Green State University meets the rigorous accreditation standards of the National Association of Schools of Art & Design.
- Learn from fine art masters. School of Art faculty members are highly accomplished artists as well as skilled educators who care deeply about nurturing talent and helping students find their own artistic voice.
- Personalized attention. Studio art class sizes are intentionally small, with a low student-to-faculty ratio to assure quality instruction and mentorship.
- Study abroad opportunities. Many BGSU studio art majors consider these experiences to be the highlight of their college career. The RING Fund and the School of Art Experiential Learning Fund offer financial assistance, particularly for students with limited travel experience. The School of Art has two partner schools in Florence, Italy.
- International Studies Institute, housed in one of the city’s most famous Renaissance palaces, offers excellent art history, art architecture, business, sociology, psychology and humanities courses.
- Santa Reparata International School of Art features a studio-based curriculum in an impressive variety of mediums with exceptional studio facilities.
- Immersive learning. The BGSU School of Art prioritizes hands-on experiences in collaborative learning environments where you’ll exchange ideas, receive constructive feedback and build lifelong connections with fellow artists.
- Flexibility to follow your own path. Contemporary art is all about transcending traditional boundaries – including confinement to a single medium. The studio art division gives you a solid foundation in all media and the freedom to chart your own course from there. Some students choose to continue exploring multiple media forms, while others dive deeply into one concentration.
- Medici Circle sponsorships. Immersive art education experiences are made possible with Medici Circle sponsorships. Receive funding for field trips to art exhibitions in major cities and travel for presentations, conferences and workshops. Sponsorships also compensate art students when their works are purchased for display in the BGSU Fine Arts Center Galleries.
- Next-level learning. Take your career a step further with a Master of Fine Arts in art (MFA), specializing in either 2D studio art or 3D studio art.
Our BFA students are regularly accepted into highly-respected MFA programs throughout the U.S.
Career - what can you do with a studio arts degree?
At BGSU, we believe art is vital to the well-being of free and thriving societies. Forging a successful art career requires solid skills and smart connections. The BFA studio art degree provides both.
Many BGSU BFA studio art graduates go into studio practice supported by the gallery system. Others mix commissions, grants, residencies, teaching and community arts with a studio practice. While New York and California are known for booming arts industries, the Midwest actually has some of the highest concentrations of employed craft artists in the country.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports careers in arts and design occupations are on a steady growth trajectory, with annual wages outpacing the national average for all jobs. While an art degree is not technically required to become a professional artist, those with a college education tend to have more opportunities and connections and significantly out-earn artists without one.
Career paths
- Studio artist
- Jewelry designer
- Photographer
- Art director
- Community art educator
- Illustrator
- Master printer
- Museum curator
- Craft potter
- Image editor
- Arts administrator
- Studio technician
Quick Facts from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Our BFA students are regularly accepted into highly-respected MFA programs throughout the U.S.
Curriculum
The 75-credit hour BFA in studio art engages with two-dimensional and three-dimensional disciplines:
The degree program begins with foundation classes and entry-level studio courses in seven concentrations. After the first year of study in the School of Art, students must pass a portfolio review to be accepted into the BFA studio art program.
Students customize their own plan of study, opting for either a variety of studio experiences or a more narrowed focus in one or two areas. All students will take:
- 3 foundational courses
- 5 studio core courses
- 7 advanced studios
- 4 studio electives
- 3 capstone courses (Senior Studio Seminar, Senior Studio and BFA Thesis)
- 4 art history courses
Graduates of the BFA studio art degree program emerge as highly-skilled artists capable of applying studio and scholarly skills with technical precision – making them sought after in the art world. They approach problem-solving with creative and complex critical thinking. They can communicate underlying art concepts and historical frameworks in ways that are coherent, comprehensive and compelling – ensuring their works’ messaging resonates with diverse audiences.
Students are encouraged to consult with a faculty mentor for personalized guidance in selecting courses and tailoring their academic experience.
Sample courses
- Physical Practices Sculpture
- Advanced Painting and Drawing
- Advanced Ceramics
- Glass: Kiln Formation
- Jewelry and Metals
- Screenprinting
- Metal Casting
BGSU School of Art facilities
The School of Art features incredible spaces for studio art students. These include:
- Painting and drawing studios. Large rooms with lots of natural light and large easels.
- Photography studio. Spacious enlarging room for black-and-white film, computer lab, and photo studio with professional lighting.
- Printmaking studios. Well-equipped for lithography, silkscreen, intaglio and relief, and a darkroom for photomechanical print work.
- Ceramics studio. Equipment for throwing and hand-building, as well as a kiln yard housing soda, salt and wood kilns.
- Glass studio. Equipment for working with hot and cold glass, kiln-formed glass, lost wax glass casting, cutting and polishing glass and flameworking.
- Jewelry and metals studio. 2,000-square-foot main jewelry studio for work with silver, brass, copper, gold and other metals. Tools for casting, enameling, forging and electroforming.
- Sculpture and integrated studio. 12,000 square feet of space with woodworking and assembly, metal fabrication, CNC fabrication, rapid prototyping. Over 50 pieces of powered equipment, including a 5-ton bridge crane and forklift for large-scale material constructions.
Creative connections
The BGSU School of Art recognizes that the best learning environments for burgeoning artists are those that reach beyond classroom walls. We prioritize creative connections – with students and faculty of all disciplines, professional artists of all mediums, business leaders and the community at large.
The BGSU Arts Village Learning Community is a residential learning community dedicated to exploring all things art, with onsite workshops, collaborative projects, activities and social events.
Studio art majors are also encouraged to join one of our many art student organizations, which include Art Historians’ Association, AIGA Student Chapter, Clay Club, Computer Arts Club, Photography Club, Print Society, Sculpture Club, Student Art Glass Association and Student Metal Arts Council.
Off-campus community art outreach efforts include mural art projects, the Saturday Art Club, the Rick Valicenti Collaborative Teaching Initiative, Summer Studio Art and community photography projects.
The studio arts program is part of the School of Art in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.
Updated: 03/17/2025 03:10PM