Craft/Material Studies

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Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

2018-2019

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

Craft/Material Studies

Plan of study in Bulletin

Craft/Material Studies

Requirements

Highest level of math required

MATH 131

Science required

Core only

Foreign language requirements

Additional tuition/fees

GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)

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

http://arts.vcu.edu/craft/

Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):

Monroe Park

Major map

Year 1

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.

Year 2

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.

Year 3

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.

Year 4

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.

Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost

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
Explore	Year 1	Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester to discuss tutoring, course electives, and degree progression. Attend Ready, Set, Go – Sophomore Transition Experience.	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.	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 “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.	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	Year 2	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.	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.	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.	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.	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	Year 3	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.	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.	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.	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.	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	Year 4	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.	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.	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.	Gain feedback from professionals on your work. Complete an internship. Expand your local network by attending First Friday art openings and artist talks.	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.