The BA in art practices allows students to explore their interests and refine their skills in ceramics, integrated media arts practices (IMAP; photography, digital media, video, integrated arts), painting and drawing, printmaking, and sculpture and post-studio practice. Students gain a broad understanding of the field of contemporary art and experience in contemporary art practices while pursuing a liberal arts degree at the university.

Portfolio submission is not required to declare art practices as a major or minor.

Required Courses

Students must complete the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and the required courses listed below. Students must complete 39 credits in the major. See the Art Practices - Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) page for information about admission to the BFA program.

All required major courses must be passed with a C- or better and cannot be taken pass/fail. Students must have a grade point average of at least 2.000 in the major in order to graduate, and no more than 45 credits in ARTS may be applied to overall graduation requirements. 

Introductory Studio Art Sequence
ARTS 1010
ARTS 1020
Introduction to Studio Art
and Introduction to Studio Art 2
6
Introductory Art History Sequence
ARTH 1500
ARTH 1600
Global Art and Visual Culture
and U.S. Art Across Cultures
6
Studio Art Courses
Two 2000-level ARTS courses in area of emphasis6
Upper-division studio emphasis (minimum)12
Upper-division Art History Courses
Any two 3000 or 4000-level ARTH courses6
Major Electives
Upper- or lower-divison ARTS or ARTH electives3
Total Credit Hours39

Recommended Four-Year Plan of Study

Consult the Four-Year Guarantee Requirements for information on eligibility. The concept of "adequate progress" as it is used here only refers to maintaining eligibility for the four-year guarantee; it is not a requirement for the major. To maintain adequate progress toward a BA in studio arts, students should meet the following requirements:

  • Declare major by the beginning of the second semester.
  • Complete ARTS 1010 and ARTS 1020, two level-1 studio classes and lower-division art history courses by the end of the third semester.
  • Complete 30–36 credits in the major by the end of the sixth semester.

Students must also complete at least 12 upper-division ARTS/ARTH courses on the Boulder campus after starting the program.

Through the required coursework for the major, students will fulfill all 12 credits of the Arts & Humanities area of the Gen Ed Distribution Requirement, as well as fulfilling both categories (Global Perspective and U.S. Perspective) of the Gen Ed Diversity Requirement.

The BA degree requires a minimum of 45 upper-division (3000- and 4000-level courses) credits. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor to ensure this general BA degree requirement is met by the fourth year.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
Fall SemesterCredit Hours
ARTS 1010 Introduction to Studio Art 3
ARTH 1500 Global Art and Visual Culture 3
Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: QRMS) 3
Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Lower-division Written Communication) 3
Elective/MAPS 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
ARTS 1020 Introduction to Studio Art 2 3
ARTH 1600 U.S. Art Across Cultures 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) 3
Elective/MAPS 3
Elective/MAPS 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Two
Fall Semester
ARTS Studio Emphasis, 2000 level course 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences with Lab) 3
Elective/MAPS 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
ARTS Studio Emphasis, 2000 level course 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Three
Fall Semester
ARTS Studio Emphasis (Upper-Division) 3
ARTH Upper-Division course 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) 3
Gen. Ed. Skills course (example: Upper-division Written Communication) 3
Upper-Division Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
ARTS Studio Emphasis (Upper-Division) 3
ARTH Upper-Division 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Natural Sciences) 3
Upper-Division Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall Semester
ARTS Studio Emphasis (Upper-division) 3
ARTS Lower or Upper-division(major elective) 3
Upper-division Elective 3
Elective (or Upper-division elective) 3
Elective (or Upper-division elective) 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
ARTS Studio Emphasis (Upper-Division) 3
Gen. Ed. Distribution course (example: Social Sciences) 3
Upper-division Elective 3
Upper-division Elective 3
Upper-division Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
 Total Credit Hours120

Learning Outcomes

The undergraduate degree in art practices emphasizes knowledge and awareness of:

  • The significance of the major traditions in art history.
  • At least one discipline of art practices.
  • Related critical issues in art practice.
  • A wide range of stylistic approaches.

In addition, students completing a degree in art practices are expected to acquire the ability and skills to:

  • Creativity and making: Students will be able to generate novel and intentional ideas, and demonstrate those ideas through making art that is responsive to their own interests and the world around them.
  • Disciplinary skill and technique: Students will demonstrate mastery of the skills and techniques intrinsic to at least one chosen discipline.
  • Recognize current and historical frameworks: Students will examine the historical and contemporary issues surrounding their art, the art of others and the broader global art discourse.
  • Develop criticality and analyze complexity: Students will communicate in dialogue and in writing the multilayered concepts and relative contexts of their own and other’s art.
  • Develop concepts, understand contexts, synthesize research: Students will demonstrate curiosity, initiative, rigor, and persistence, while seeking knowledge. Students will be able to work independently or collaboratively to achieve their goals.