Visual Arts at UMBC

The Department of Visual Arts recognizes ongoing conceptual and technical changes in art and design, and incorporates those changes into the curricula. In addition to studying foundational techniques, art history, and critical theory, students are encouraged to explore related arts disciplines to inform their own art practices.

BA
By studying various areas of concentration, students have the opportunity to broaden their knowledge/skill base to achieve their personal and professional goals. These concentrations include: Animation/Interactive Media, Art History & Theory, Cinematic Arts, Graphic Design, Photography, and Print Media.

BFA
The BFA Degree requires 72 credit hours in visual arts coursework and provides a more in-depth program of study in four of our concentrations (Animation/Interactive Media, Cinematic Arts, Photography, and Print Media) while also creating the opportunity for interdisciplinary experimentation in other visual arts media. Students who intend to pursue graduate studies in these areas of art should consider choosing this degree. In addition, The Department of Visual Arts is currently completing a BFA Program Proposal in Design, with plans for implementation in the near future.

MFA
The degree in Imaging and Digital Arts recognizes the conceptual and technical transformation now occurring in the visual arts. The program is committed to investigating these transformations within the broader context of the history of art. This exploration of emerging technologies gives rise to new processes that pose new conceptual challenges. Answering these challenges is central to the student’s course of study.