Arts
VCU’s School of the Arts is one of the largest and most comprehensive art schools in the U.S. The school provides nationally recognized, innovative education in the visual and performing arts. Annually, the school’s faculty and students are honored with prestigious regional and national awards that attest to the high caliber of instruction and commitment to excellence.
The School of the Arts prepares students to assume roles in a complex, ever-changing world. Students are trained to approach aesthetic, intellectual and technical problems through scholarly and experimental analysis. The school, through its academy-conservatory approach to education, encourages students to develop a professional attitude toward their work and toward the solution of creative problems. Graduates are prepared to become responsible artist-citizens able to make meaningful contributions to their art and society.
The School of the Arts is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s top six art schools for graduate programs. The school offers students unique exploration, interactive and experiential learning opportunities working in close association with talented professional artists who are also dedicated educators. The school provides students all of the resources and facilities of a large urban university, while concentrating their education in a professional environment. To learn more about the school’s programs visit the Undergraduate Bulletin.
Degree requirements
Each major within the School of the Arts has a very specific curriculum and credit requirements. Refer to the current Undergraduate Bulletin for specific departmental details and requirements.
All students seeking a bachelor’s degree within the School of the Arts are required to fulfill specific general education requirements. Based on the university commitments and the School of the Arts general education requirements, students will complete courses that enrich and broaden their educational experience. Students are advised to familiarize themselves with the School of the Arts general education requirements published in the university Undergraduate Bulletin and enroll in the recommended course equivalent.
Students applying to the School of the Arts submit a single application for admission to the university and the School of the Arts, which includes an art component, i.e., visual portfolio, audition or interview. The School of the Arts Admission Committee reviews applications to programs in the School of the Arts.
All visual arts applicants must submit a portfolio in order to be considered for admission into the School of the Arts. VCCS or RBC transfers must demonstrate in their portfolio submission that they have both the range of exposure and quality of work expected from VCU’s Art Foundation Program in order to merit transfer credit for courses in the arts. Students admitted into the Art Foundation Program may be eligible for additional transfer credits; however, these decisions will be made once a student is accepted into their major department.
All visual arts majors must complete the Art Foundation Program or equivalent at another accredited institution. The Art Foundation Program is a series of fundamental courses that provides the basic concepts, skills and experiences necessary to undertake advanced professional studio work in each department. Students who are accepted into the Art Foundation Program will not have a departmental affiliation until they complete the Art Foundation Program and apply to and are accepted by a department. Upon completion of the Art Foundation Program, students apply to the department of their choice during the annual spring portfolio review. During this review, faculty committees determine department acceptance based on evaluation of students’ academic records, creative work and performance in art foundation courses or their equivalent transfer course work. Once a student is accepted into a major department through the annual portfolio review, transcripts are re-evaluated and additional transfer credit may be gained.
Beginning and transfer students majoring in the performing arts departments of Dance and Choreography, Music, or Theatre will be required to perform an audition for admission. Students applying for admission into the Department of Theatre also will participate in an interview.
Additional information
Questions concerning the transferability of courses into the School of the Arts should be directed to:
Virginia Commonwealth University
School of the Arts
P.O. Box 842519
Richmond, Virginia 23284-2519
Phone: (804) VCU-ARTS (828-2787)
Fax: (804) 828-6469
E-mail: arts@vcu.edu
