2018-2019
Craft/Material Studies
School of the Arts
Program description
The Department of Craft and Material Studies explores the language of ceramics, glass, wood, fiber and metal. The department offers both a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Craft and Material Studies and a Master of Fine Arts in Fine Arts degree with concentrations in five disciplines: ceramics, fiber, furniture design, glassworking and jewelry/metalworking.
Students are encouraged to learn and explore through the traditional craft media. Together, faculty and students hone, improvise and redefine ancient technologies with new technologies; they bend and blend concepts and materials.
The Department of Craft and Material Studies is housed in a state-of-the-art facility that provides a safe and excellent physical environment in which to work. Students have access to well-equipped studios in each of the five media areas. The department shares the facilities with the departments of Sculpture, Painting and Printmaking, and Kinetic Imaging.
Career opportunities
Craft and Material Studies Alumni acquire different strengths and talents based on their research interests. One of the most obvious career paths that a BFA in Craft and Material Studies offers is as a professional artist. This may also include a Master’s degree in the Studio art, which is one path that the BFA prepares students for. Other career paths include: Ceramicist, Glass Artist, Jewelry Designer, Enameling and Metalwork Artist, Fibers, Textiles and Weaving Artist, and Public Artist/Outdoor Sculptor. Graduates may also consider a career in the business of art, including: Artist’s Agent, Studio Assistant, Gallery Owner, Art Critic/Writer, Educator, Display Designer, or Exhibitions Coordinator.
Change of major requirements
Completion of the Art Foundation Program is a prerequisite for entry into all fine art and design departments. Students are required to submit their application here: http://arts.vcu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/current-vcu-student/
Typical Application deadlines:
For Spring: November 1st
For Fall: April 1st
A portfolio is required
(more information here: http://arts.vcu.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/current-vcu-student/)
Bachelor-level job titles
- Art Consultant
- Ceramic Artist
- Craft Artist
- Etcher/Engraver
- Fabric Designer
- Fashion Designer
- Fiber Artist
- Fine Artist
- Furniture Designer
- Furniture Finisher
- Furniture Maker
- Gallery Curator
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- MATH 131
Science required
- Core only
Foreign language requirements
- No
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.0
Contact information
Department name:
Department of Craft and Material Studies
Building/room location:
Fine Arts Building, Room 239
Phone:
(804) 828-1477
Email:
crafts@vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map
Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression.
- Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Register to vote and vote in Virginia.
- Learn about and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events.
- Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs.
- Check out the VCUArts Calendar.
- Join one of over 450 student run clubs or the Student Government Association.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office.
- Review the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs website for programs, events, and resources.
- Join a living-learning program such as VCU Globe.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Explore “The Vault ” to learn about employers and job titles in your field of study.
- Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
- Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using Lynda.
- Build your LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Take the Sophomore Seminar class and complete 3 of the 5 courses of intro level Craft classes.
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor and explore minors, certificates, and skills-based value-added courses and discuss strategies for success in your degree program.
- Talk to your professors about research interests, picking future classes in your major, and strategies for success in your degree program.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Sophomore Seminar class introduces students to an overview of the field, local professional and emerging artists and their studio practice. Seek opportunities with these new connections.
- Research VCUArts alumni for networking and mentorship opportunities.
- Take service-learning classes or volunteer to address a social issue (ConnectVA & HandsOnRVA).
- Explore peer leadership opportunities or apply for I-LEAD Connect, Alternative Spring Break.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Learn about your study abroad options by visiting a study abroad fair and attending a First Advising Session in the Global Education Office.
- Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
- Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
- Apply to research, internship and international travel grants and scholarships on SOTA and University website every year.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Create a draft of your resume and go to drop-ins at VCU Career Services to have it reviewed.
- Attend Career & Internship Fairs and career events throughout the year to explore your interests.
- Join groups on LinkedIn reflecting specific careers or topics of interest.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Conduct an informational interview or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
- Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
- Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Take the Junior Seminar class (which introduces conceptual development) and begin taking upper level Craft classes.
- Meet with your advisor to discuss strategies for success in your degree program and plans for elective coursework.
- Conduct independent undergraduate research.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Submit work to juried exhibitions and external grant opportunities.
- Consider applying to Summer Intensive Programs for Craft artists and their scholarship programs around the country.
- Create and complete a community-engaged research project.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Work on developing your professional online presence.
- Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
- Apply for a Fulbright or other post-graduate international fellowship program through VCU’s National Scholarship Office.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Complete an internship, volunteer opportunities or assistantship.
- Apply for a show of their own work or curatorial project at The Anderson.
- Take advantage of the VCU Libraries workshops, The Depot, and Lynda.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Talk to your academic advisor, faculty, and/or career services about whether graduate school or a job will be the best step for you after graduation.
- Create a website. Begin to work on your portfolio.
- Create an annual budget for life after college.
Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Take the Senior Seminar (Capstone class) and Senior Studio class. Senior Studio is portfolio development course and is repeatable in the senior year.
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
- Conduct independent undergraduate research.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
- Attend exhibitions, art fairs and professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
- Continue to seek internship, volunteer, and assistantship opportunities.
- Attend networking events in the community.
- Consider applying for a year-long service opportunity after graduation through programs like VCU AmeriCorps, Literacy Lab, Peace Corps, Fulbright Student Scholars, Teach for America and City Year.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
- Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
- Seek fieldwork opportunities with local artists or institutions for credit.
- Reflect on your own cultural competency, and be prepared to answer interview questions that outline how you have worked with diverse populations.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Gain feedback from professionals on your work.
- Complete an internship.
- Expand your local network by attending First Friday art openings and artist talks.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Research prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
- Sign up for job alerts through Handshake and professional job boards.
- Have your personal statement or cover letter reviewed, and do a mock interview at VCU Career Services.
2018-2019
Craft/Material Studies
School of the Arts
Concentration(s):
No concentration
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY | DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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