Calling all art majors! (and anyone else who knows about art at UVA)

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Virginia
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<p>I'm an art student looking into UVA and I wanted to find out more about the art department and art as a major there. I've looked into it a little bit already but i wanted to get an actual student's point of view...or someone's opinion who knows as much about it as a student does.</p>

<p>Outside of classes, how time consuming is it to be an art major? Can you tell me about the student exhibitions? Is art a popular major (as in are there a lot of other art majors around?)</p>

<p>Also, can you tell me about the department in general please? (facilities, teachers, etc.)</p>

<p>Any info would be helpful, Thanks!</p>

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<p>I’ve been waiting for somebody who knows more about this topic than I do to post, but since nobody has, this is what I know about the Art Dept., for what it’s worth. The department is split into two “sides”, with two sub-chairs: an art history side and a studio art side (drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, etc.). A lot of majors, of course, take classes on both sides of the department. For many years the studio art program was very inadequately housed, but about three-four years ago they got a beautiful new purpose-built facility that seems to make everybody very happy. The art department is right next to the architecture school, the drama department, and the new marching band building on the “Arts Quad,” and the combined departments plan a fair number of events together. There’s also collaboration with departments that might seem further afield. For instance, last year the graphic arts kids worked alongside computer science majors designing computer game animation for a Game Design class.</p>

<p>UVA is also home to an art museum, which stages multiple exhibitions every year and also houses a permanent collection. The art faculty seem to use the museum heavily in their teaching. There’s also an interesting museum of Australian aboriginal art but access to it from grounds is not easy unless you have a car (it’s about 5 miles away).</p>

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<p>Alright, well I’m just a first year, but I’m planning on double major in art/marketing. I’m no expert, but I can give some insight…</p>

<p>First of all, taking art classes is very restricted to art majors. It’s less than 20 people per class, and they are not classes that you can take as a hobby. You’re required to take an intro drawing class, and possibly an intermediate class in order to get into photography, cinematography, printmaking, painting etc. </p>

<p>An art major is extremely time consuming. Regular classes run usually 50min - 1hr 15min two or three times a week. Art classes are in chunks of 2.5 hours, so they can be difficult to schedule. For intro classes, you are expected to do 5 hours of work outside of class, so you’re looking at 10 hours of art in total. Not surprisingly, most people who major in art spend most of their time in the studio and are never seen anywhere else. </p>

<p>The facility is REALLY nice. I am in love with the architecture school, which is where the art history classes are held. There’s also the fine arts cafe, a library, so you can just spend your time in the arts facility doing other homework while waiting for class. I heard that UVA is really trying to implement a stronger art program, and so far, I’m pleased with it. </p>

<p>I have Howard Singerman for art history and he is by far my favorite professor. He genuinely gets excited about what he’s teaching and you just feed off his energy. Art history is a 4 credit class though, so it’s very reading intensive (btw, it’s required for art majors). I wouldn’t say art is a popular major, but it’s nice because you can usually always get the classes you want, since there’s not much competition (unlike say, VCU). Also, you get to know the people in your class really well, since it’s more intimate. I actually like it being a small environment. </p>

<p>I’m not really sure about student exhibitions, but like I said, I have only been at UVA for a month haha. It’s really important to become involved if you’re passionate about it – become an art docent, join the photography club, submit to the VA Film Festival, etc. Whatever strikes your interest. So overall, yes it is time consuming but it’s worth it.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the info :)</p>

<p>Yeah i’ve been hearing a lot about these “arts grounds” and they seem great! </p>

<p>That’s AMAZING that they require the art history class! I actually already took a college level one at UCSB last summer and the Renaissance/baroque/etc art history course at my school and i loved them!</p>

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<p>It does seem like a big time commitment, which i’m fine with because i can do art for hours on end…but as an art major, is it very difficult to have a social life with all that required work outside of class? Do you get any down time? I’m planning on joining a sorority, 1-2 club sports, and a few other organizations on campus. Will i still be able to do this as an art major (will i have time)? </p>

<p>^This past summer i did 9 hours of art classes per week plus an internship 3 days per week and i was fine with that but then again, i didn’t have college classes/other college work to complete along with it.</p>