Quick Facts
General Education Requirements:37 hours
Core Classes: 16 hours
Concentration Requirements:66 hours
Elective: 1 hour
Total: 120 hours
Full Program Requirements Study For Your Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Near Chicago Today
Governors State’s Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) offers an interdisciplinary approach in the visual arts with concentrations in Studio Art, Film and Photography, and Graphic Design, allowing students to explore and create within the discipline of their interests. Moreover, the GovState campus is located within the internationally renowned Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. This “museum in the prairie” serves as a living laboratory for the union of art, nature, and university life.
With coursework in art history, ceramics, drawing, digital imaging, film, graphic design, glass, painting, printmaking, photography, and sculpture, students are free to explore one or several disciplines as they begin to formulate their individual vision. Some courses are required to build a substantial foundation of art knowledge and experience, while others are elective. Customize your coursework with electives that point you toward your career goals and expand your knowledge of subjects you’re passionate about. In the senior year, BFA students conclude their studies by presenting a senior project of their work, which provides an opportunity to share the visual result and evidence of their creative investigations and research.
Studying art at GovState is an immersive experience that helps you hone your talents while also giving you a breadth of knowledge. We offer plenty of opportunities and materials to let you practice your craft in a welcoming space. Every artist needs different tools, so find a concentration and a studio that fits your needs!
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Concentrations
Credit: Taylor Mezo
Studio Art Concentration
Studio Art Concentration
Students with an interest in this concentration will discover a hands-on, inter-disciplinary approach that reflects contemporary art practices. Courses in studio practices such as ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking, and sculpture will enable students to become mature artists in command of diverse materials and capable of expressing an individual view. Capacity for heightened perception and imagination is combined with an awareness of the visual elements and principles of design, artist statements, and art criticism.
Credit: Alexandria Pavloski
Film and Photography Concentration
Film and Photography Concentration
The Film and Photography concentration brings together the intertwining applied arts of digital media motion production and still imaging. Coursework on the path leads to specialized knowledge, creative development, and advanced technological skills. Graduates of the program will work in career areas such as education, documentary and dramatic filmmaking, photographic art and commercial photography, consulting, producing, media writing, direction, and production.
Credit: Manny Ochoa
Graphic Design Concentration
Graphic Design Concentration
The Graphic Design concentration prepares students for a variety of design-related fields. Students who wish to have a dual career as a graphic designer and artist will have the opportunity to develop employable graphic design skills while furthering their skills as an individual artist. Courses ranging from typography to interactive design prepare students with the critical skills required by employers in the graphic design industry. Upper-level courses allow students to further their knowledge in either print-based graphic design (such as logo/identity design and publication design) or interactive design (designing for websites and apps, etc.) Internships within the university are provided as opportunities to gain real-world experience in graphic design and serve as a foundation for employment afterward.
Why Study Art?
There’s something immeasurably rewarding about the study, practice, and creation of art. This essential part of modern society encourages introspection, sparks joy, and marks iconic moments in history. Join artistic movements both locally and globally to help shape the way individuals, communities, and countries express themselves and communicate with others. Explore the career options in the art industry or find out how your degree can help you foster real-world skills in other industries.
Art not only enriches individual lives—it is essential to the health of any society, as it is practiced and experienced collectively.
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Reach Your Career Goals
Artists are employed in a range of careers to create stunning work using various media. Whether you’re passionate about painting, sculpting, drawing, filmmaking, or digital designs, an art degree from Governors State University can give you the training and professional connections you need to succeed.
Dive into principles of art design, criticism, history, and an in-depth practice in your chosen medium. Spend time in our studios practicing your craft and participate in lively discussions about what it means to be an artist in the modern world.
BFA coursework places an emphasis on the lifelong production of professional creative work. Graduates who continue to produce often go on to exhibit their work in galleries and museums, work with clients on commissions, or screen their work at film festivals, while others choose other career paths that utilize skills developed in the program, such as entrepreneurship, critical thinking, marketing, and problem-solving. Advanced study at the master’s level is also common, especially for students interested in teaching at the university level.
Teaching art at the university level is an incredibly rewarding experience. Use your knowledge and abilities to not only practice your craft but also train up a new generation of passionate artists and art advocates. A BFA from GovState is a stepping stone to a career in Chicago, the United States, and around the world.
Real-World Application
GovState’s art program prepares students with the drive and determination needed to succeed as professional artists and with the skills valued by employers. GovState’s student club Art Forum allows student artists to sell and showcase their work at biannual art markets on campus, fostering skill-building in such areas as networking and marketing.
Some of these skills come naturally to an artist, while others can be learned in the welcoming, diverse environment at GovState. Studying art can help you learn these real-world skills:
- • Open-mindedness
- • Critical observation
- • Complex reasoning
- • Attention to detail
- • Project management
Today’s job market is constantly changing, so you may not know what your career will look like in the future. Prepare for any role with the skills you learn in a Fine Arts program at GovState. Employees, managers, and CEOs all need these skills for working effectively with people in a wide range of positions and industries.
Jobs You Can Get With a Fine Arts Degree
What exactly can you expect out of a Fine Arts degree? The experience is rewarding enough, but Fine Art students can also find success in a range of careers that require their exact skillset. Here are some careers that GovState BFA graduates can expect to enter upon graduation:
- • Fine Artist
- • Art Director
- • Graphic Designer
- • Illustrator
- • Animator
- • Filmmaker
- • Cinematographer
- • Creative Entrepreneur
- • Gallery Director, Curator, or Museum Worker
- • Arts Teacher, Professor, or Instructor
Create handmade products to sell directly to customers or become a designer in one of these growing industries. A Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) from GovState teaches you to understand the elements you need for a successful career in many fields. Whether you wish to pursue creation, design, or instruction, you can expect to find a career that plays to your strengths.
Salaries vary depending on your location, experience, and chosen occupation. Some artists choose to work part-time in their craft, which can also affect the average salary of the position.
If you don’t see a career path that fits your talents and passions, ask your advisor about other career goals. The flexible skills and commitment to excellence that come from a BFA program at Governors State University can equip you for a range of professional roles and responsibilities. Let your imagination help you connect your passions with a satisfying career.
Academic Advising
To find contact information for the advisor of the BFA program, please visit the College of Arts and Sciences Advising webpage.
Ready to Apply?
Apply now to find out how you can launch a career in the field of art. Learn more about a bachelor’s in art program from GovState and get ready to pursue your passions in Chicago’s Southland. Explore the program requirements, meet the faculty, and discover what student life looks like on our diverse and accepting campus. Join a community of artists and scholars to see how you can expand your horizons and improve your craft with a BFA program.
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