BFA in Art
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information for transfer students here.
The bachelor of fine arts (BFA) is a highly selective degree program intended for students who plan to either pursue a professional career in art or prepare for specialized graduate study. Our program provides in-depth instruction in the visual arts through a high concentration of coursework in the Department of Art.
Use our Art BFA Degree Planning worksheet to plan and track your progress. (For those declared before Fall 2024 see Art BFA pre-F2024 worksheet)
Application Process
BFA applications are reviewed twice a year by a faculty committee representing all media areas. Acceptance to the BFA degree program is based on the quality of artwork submitted. BFA candidacy is subject to review and dismissal.
Fall application period: October 15-October 31.
Spring application period: April 1-April 15.
- BFA Application
The call for applicants goes out every semester, and only current art BA students are eligible to apply. Check out these tips for photographing your artwork at home. - BFA Application Checklist
This checklist provides a summary of the materials required for the BFA application, and it also provides a rubric the committee will review to evaluate portfolios.
NOTE: Students can apply for the BFA Program twice. A third application will not be considered. Also, students should plan to spend 2 years in the program. Ideally, candidates seek admission to the BFA major by the end of their sophomore year. Transfer students should apply to the BFA in their first or second semester at the U of M. Any student not admitted to the BFA can complete the BA degree requirements, which require 4 semesters of a second language.
Career Paths
All liberal arts degrees help CLA students develop their Core Career Competencies, and art majors develop specific skills that are applicable to lots of different careers. These skills include the ability to work independently and collaboratively, creative problem-solving skills and specialized skills/techniques in a fine arts field.
Students who take the SuperStrong Interest Inventory receive a three-letter interest code, which identifies their top three areas of interest, work activities, potential skills, and personal values. The interest code "ASI" is often associated with this major, however, the SuperStrong assessment can help you understand how your interests connect to a variety of majors and career options. You can learn more about common employer types and occupations associated with this major. You can also see CLA specific examples of alumni careers below.
Internship & Job Search Websites
- Handshake
- Artsearch
- Careers in Art
- ArtSource
- Comic Artists Direct
- Fashion Schools
- Incredible Art Department
- National Endowment for the Arts
- New York Foundation for the Arts
- Student Art Guide
- The Art Project
- World Wide Art Resources
- Minnesota Council of Nonprofits
- Idealist (Nonprofit positions in the US and internationally)
Student Groups
- Art History Club
- Bohemian Press
- Beginners with Brushes Art Club
- Amateur Art Club
- Collaborative Arts Club
- Arts and Medicine Interest Group
- WAM Collective
- The Wake
- Music Sharing Club
- Dance Collective
Professional Organizations
- American Alliance of Museums
- American Art Therapy Association
- American Craft Council
- American Institute of Graphic Arts
- American Society of Media Photographers
- Animation World Network
- Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design
- Association of Medical Illustrators
- College Art Association
- Industrial Designers Society of America
- National Cartoonists Society
- National Press Photographers Association
- Society of American Archivists
- Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators
- Society of Illustrators
Alumni Career Examples
Below is a small sampling of what alumni with this major have pursued, organized by the most common career fields they go into (although keep in mind that there are alumni in all eight of the career fields). You can also utilize the LinkedIn's Alumni Tool and the Maroon and Gold Network to further explore alumni career pathways and connect directly with professionals.
Click to expand each accordion panel below for opportunities pursued by alumni in this major!
Internships
- Design Intern - Midwest Visual Agency
- Gallery Intern, Katherine E. Nash Gallery
- Intern, In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre
- Program Intern - Free Arts Minnesota
- Curatorial Intern - Minnesota Museum of American Art
- Art and Culture Studies Teacher, Unidad Educativa Pedro Luis Calero
- Intern - Schumacher & Co.
- Art Interpretation & Gallery Learning Intern, Weisman Art Museum
- Curatorial Assistant, Minnesota Museum of American Art
- Gallery Assistant Intern, The Soap Factory
- Gallery & Education Intern, Third Street Gallery
- History Day Mentor, Minnesota Historical Society
- Studio Intern, Mark D. Roberts Studio
- Art and Social Justice Intern, Pangea World Theater
- Art Education Intern, Urban Arts Academy
- Communications Intern, Intermedia Arts
- Preservation Intern, Hennepin County Library
- Studio Intern, Highpoint Center for Printmaking
Entry-Level
- Filmmaker - Crash and Sue's
- Exhibition Design - Renewing the Countryside
- Hip Hop Specialist - YMCA
- Artist Assistant - Ginny Herzog
- Program Director - Minnesota Center for Photography
- Events Planner and Social Media Communications - Potted Meet Mondays
- Assistant Curator of Interpretation - George Eastman House
- Creative Director - A.B. Isacon Associates
- Assistant Curator - Victoria and Albert Museum
- Video Production - Minneapolis Institute of Art
- Photographic Technician - UW-Madison
- Senior Designer - Riehl Design Inc.
- Enrollment Specialist - Regency Beauty Institute
- Freelance, Game Artist/Illustrator
- Instructor - Westside YMCA
- Senior Territory Manager and Field Training Advisor - Danaher
Experienced
- Senior Designer - Rome Snowboard Design Syndicate
- Substitute Visual Arts Instructor - Interact Center for the Visual and Performing Arts
- Owner - Hip Hope
- Art Director, Stylist and Prop Master
- Program Coordinator - Free Arts Minnesota
- Director and Curator - Montserrat College of Art Galleries
- Copywriter - Greer & Associates
- Exhibition Coordinator - Paper Darts Literary Magazine
- Coordinator - Media Center: Visual Studies Workshop
- Interior Designer - Sky Flower Designer
- Self-Employed Artist
- Senior Concept Artist - Futuredude Entertainment
- Artist/Owner - Carolyn Singh Studio
- Graphic Designer - Target
- Freelance Makeup Artist
- Hip Hop Dance and Graffiti Art - East Side Arts
- Artist/ Owner - LJ Ceramics
- Artist - Studio 145
- Partnership Coordinator - Free Arts Minnesota
- Co-Founder - Alter Projects
- Senior Copywriter - Introworks
- Independent Curator and Researcher - Decorative Arts and Design
- Outreach Coordinator - Arts Council for Wyoming County
- Interior Designer - The Sitting Room Distinctive Design and Boutique
- Artist/Owner - Laudable Mud Studio
- Director - KNOCK
- Director of Product Development - Danaher
- Independent Contractor - Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum
Graduate Programs
- BFA, Graphic Design - Minneapolis College of Art and Design
- International Dermal Institute
- Aveda Institute
- MA, Arts and Cultural Management
- MA, History of Art
- PhD, Humanities
Internships
- Graphic Design Intern - Friends of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
- Design and Layout Editor - Ivory Tower Literary Magazine
- Marketing & Design Intern, Marakita Firenze
- Studio Assistant/Production Intern, Lala Abaddon
Entry-Level
- Account Executive - Image Bank
- News Anchor/Host/Reporter - HTV Houston
- Project Manager - Fallon
Experienced
- Creative Director - Err
- Director of Sales - The Growler Magazine
- Feature Reporter - KPRC-TV
- Chief Marketing Officer - Hillcrest Media
- News Reporter - KPRC TV
Note: *Asterisks denote that further education and/or training is often required
Internships
- Product Design and Development Intern, Target
Entry-Level
- Customer Service Agent - Pearson VUE
- Staffing Manager - Robert Half International
- Wholesale Distribution - Electric Fetus
- Systems Engineer, Network Services - Target
- Production/Pre-Press Artist - Smart Set Inc.
Experienced
- Marketing Planner - Target
- Internal Sales Manager - Danaher
- Lead Director - Elite Fashion Academy LA
- Division Director - Robert Half International
- Marketing Assistant - Dakota Jazz Club
- IT Manager - Target*
- Designer - C&G Partners
- Marketing Operations Development Director - Target*
- Director of Talent Acquisition - Land O' Lakes*
- Copywriting and Social Media - MetroWize
- Director of Creative Project Management - Target
- Director of Business Development
- Principal - Blasted Consulting