B.A. Art

B.A. in Art The Department of Visual Arts offers a major in visual art leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree. The purpose is to give students a strong foundation in visual art within the framework of a liberal arts curriculum and to prepare those students planning to pursue graduate studies in studio art.

The art major is exposed to a wide range of studio experiences and skills and a solid background in the history of art.  Major emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of drawing and painting. In addition, students are required to take, or elect to take, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and ceramics, in addition to a variety of special topics courses regularly added to the curriculum. The rich exposure to art which is available in New York City makes the study of visual arts at Wagner an exceptionally valuable experience.

Art Major Checklist The student who wants to declare art as a major can do so by contacting the department chair and submitting a major declaration form.

The student will then be assigned an art major advisor within the department. The process of becoming a major is complete after the student meets in person with their new major advisor in order to go over the requirements needed to complete the art major.

REQUIREMENTS FOR A MAJOR IN ART (B.A.) Art Majors will complete 13 units in the following manner:

Art_Classroom-2 I. Core Studio Requirements: 8 units of Art as follows:

  • AR105 Drawing I
  • AR204 Sculpture I
  • AR205 Drawing II
  • AR208 Painting I
  • AR308 Painting II
  • Select two courses from the following: AR203 Graphic Design, AR213 Printmaking,  AR114 Photo I
  • AR400 Reflective Tutorial in Art (taken in  Junior or Senior year)

II. Core Art History Requirements (2 units):

  • AH109 Art History or Histories? or AH118 The Ancient World from a Global Perspective
  • One elective Art History course or AR221 Museum Studies
  • AH490 OR AH491 Senior Capstone Course in Art History

III. Art Studio Electives: two additional studio courses, one of which MUST be 200 level or above and not taken to fulfill any other art major requirement.

IV. In addition, Art Majors will complete the following:

  • Senior Thesis  (written in AH490/491)
  • Senior Reflective Essay  (written in AR400)
  • Exhibit of  Work in Gallery Show (pending approval of student progress at the end of the semester prior to taking AR400 and/or the planned show)

Art Major Learning Community:  Our senior learning community consists of two courses: a Reflective Tutorial in Art taken in the spring of either the junior OR senior year (AR400) and a Capstone Course in Art History taken in the spring of the senior year (AH490  OR AH491).

The learning community is designed to offer students maximum opportunity for independent work. Each student will have access to their own studio space, where they will build their portfolio and prepare work for the senior year exhibit. Regular critiques from fellow students and professors help students hone their skills and interests while allowing them to develop as practicing artists. The capstone course gives students in-depth knowledge of art historical issues relevant to contemporary artists.