<p>I'm deciding between a few schools and a huge factor for me in deciding whether or not to attend UVa is how the art dept is. I was wondering if the arts, particularly the visual/fine arts were at UVa? I'm considering doubling an art major with something else...perhaps bio or history. Or I might do an art minor. Either way, I just want to know how they are, how big the program is...etc. </p>
<p>Thanks so much!</p>
<p>My roommate is an art major (along with English) and she LOVES it. She just did her senior show in printmaking (she also took classes on drawing and painting). It’s time intensive but you probably already know that. The only downside is you have to buy your own supplies so that gets expensive.</p>
<p>The Art Dept. is in a beautiful new facility. There is also a better-than-decent art museum.</p>
<p>The arts, studio art in particular, were traditionally a weakness at UVA, partly because they were a strength at VCU in Richmond. However, as noted, they’ve been ramped up a bit and mind you the art history and architecture departments were always strong and remain so. </p>
<p>Just as much to the point, though, Virginia has so many other strengths across the board that it might be very right for someone–such as yourself–who is interested in other things like history or biology or whatever.</p>
<p>Anyone with any input on photography at UVA. Thanks!</p>
<p>the studio art dept is pretty small but very tight knit, especially if you choose to major… you’ll get to know more teachers and other majors pretty well. overall, i don’t know how the department compares to other schools–i’d say many individual faculty here are very strong, but as a whole i don’t know how to rank it. likewise, you don’t have to apply to be an art major. so the range of talents among uva art majors is probably greater than at a school like vcu where you don’t automatically get your first choice major. i’m not implying in anyway that means uva art majors aren’t talented, but i personally think the curriculum is much less rigorous than other schools, and part of that goes back to the fact that uva is a liberal arts school, and that many studio art majors (such as myself) also major in a second area of interest. </p>
<p>however, that is good for people who are really self-motivated and take initiative. </p>
<p>sorry i haven’t taken any photography classes yet, so i can’t help you there. but i’ve had a few friends who have taken photography and they loved it… i’ve only heard good things about professors wylie and pecchio (the two photo teachers).</p>
<p>as for the art history dept, as someone said earlier, that’s a very strong department. i’ve taken a few classes and i’ve never been disappointed…</p>
<p>dzem, thank you so much for your reply! The liberal arts is what is so appealing to my daughter. She would love to minoir in studio art, but is afraid of the 2 required drawing classes as she really has no talent in that dept. If she ends up at UVA, she will probably take the photo classes. Thanks again for your insight.</p>
<p>thanks so much for all your help guys!</p>
<p>ive decided to enroll at UVa! excited beyond belief!!! :)</p>