Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
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2018-2019

Painting and Printmaking

School of the Arts

Concentration(s):
Painting, printmaking
Program description

The Department of Painting and Printmaking offers an undergraduate program that earns a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting and Printmaking, as well as a graduate program of study that leads to the Master of Fine Arts in Fine Arts. Students admitted to the programs are expected to have a high level of competence in either painting or printmaking. The graduate program is designed to encourage the development of professional attitudes and skills, with an emphasis on individual investigation.

The department is housed in the Fine Arts Building with 15 individual graduate studios plus a large graduate printmaking area in addition four state-of-the-art undergraduate printmaking studios: etching, lithography, screenprinting and digital. These facilities provide an excellent physical environment for the programs with easy access to the other fine art areas of sculpture and crafts. Established in 1928, the Department of Painting and Printmaking was the first department in what has become the School of the Arts. For nearly 70 years, the department has made significant contributions to the development of the School of the Arts’ reputation as one of the premier art schools in the country.

The department supports an active and ambitious program of visiting artists and lecturers. Leading figures in the world of contemporary art visit to discuss their work, critique, visit studios, conduct workshops and meet with students throughout the year.

The Master of Fine Arts degree is the terminal degree in the studio areas of fine arts and is a requirement for most college and university teaching positions. Many graduate students have gained teaching experience in the department as part of their assistantship responsibilities, teaching classes in painting, drawing and printmaking. The department assists graduate students financially through a variety of teaching assistantships, graduate assistantships and scholarships.

Career opportunities

Graduates complete the program with skills that enable them to apply for positions that require knowledge in painting, drawing, printmaking, and contemporary art in general. In the area of printmaking graduates can find positions with print publishers. Graduates also work for artists as studio assistants. Some graduates will become self employed, making a living from their work as artists, while others will pursue teaching opportunities in K-12 public or private schools or in the field of museum education. Further education is usually necessary to refine skills and professional networks in a very competitive marketplace. Many graduates continue their education in a MFA graduate program, which allows them to develop their talent further and to teach in higher education. Some take jobs in related fields, such as galleries and museums, allowing them to continue their own creative work.

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:



Bachelor-level job titles
  • Art Installation
  • Arts Administrator
  • Curator
  • Fine Arts Print Publisher
  • Gallery Director
  • Art Director
  • Artist
  • Artist Assistant
  • Commercial Artist
  • Environment Artist
  • Gallery Assistant
  • Printmaker
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Plan of study in Bulletin
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
Department name:
Department of Painting and Printmaking
Building/room location:
Fine Arts Building, Room 351
Phone:
(804) 828-1696
Email:
dhwood@vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park

Major map compass icon
Major map

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Check out university art spaces and the VCUArts Calendar.
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
  • Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs
  • Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Explore The Vault to learn about employers and job titles in your field.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
  • Build your LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Make a digital archive of AFO studio and personal work.
  • Research VCUArts alumni for networking and mentorship opportunities.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using Lynda.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • First semester: Take PAPR 201,231 and 290.
  • Second semester: PAPR 211 and PAPR 301 or 311.
  • 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.
  • Meet with your faculty mentors to discuss your interests and opportunities to align with those.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department every semester.
  • Apply to grants and scholarships on VCUarts and University website every semester.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Start searching for internships and job opportunities with the aid of faculty mentor, advisor, and/or career services
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.  

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Begin taking upper level PAPR studio 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
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, mentorships, shadowing, and other form of experiential learning. 
  • Submit work to juried exhibitions and external grant opportunities.
  • Engage your curiosity, creativity, risk-taking and scholarly investigation and apply for a VCUarts Undergraduate Research Grant.
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.
  • Build your portfolio and create a website.
  • Build and grow your professional network.

Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Take Senior Seminar (PAPR 490) and Senior Degree Project (PAPR 402) in the same semester. These courses are designed to prepare students with skills in both studio and professional practice to develop a cohesive body of work.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
  • Attend exhibitions, art fairs, and professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
  • Expand your local network by attending First Friday art openings and attending artist talks at galleries.
  • Apply for Internship Support Grants
  • Attend networking events in the community.
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Schedule a mock interview with VCU Career Services.
  • Seek fieldwork opportunities with local artists or institutions for credit.
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Research prospective employment opportunities and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Create an annual budget for life after college.
  • Sign up for job alerts through Handshake, professional job boards, and resources such as NYFA.
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2018-2019

Painting and Printmaking

School of the Arts

Concentration(s):
Painting, printmaking
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
  • Check out university art spaces and the VCUArts Calendar.
  • Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond, including its museums, parks, festivals, and cultural events!
  • Apply to live in the ASPiRE, Globe, INNOVATE, or LEAD Living & Learning Programs
  • Get involved with VCU Student Government or one of over 450 clubs and organizations.
  • Explore The Vault to learn about employers and job titles in your field.
  • Complete your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists to learn about opportunities.
  • Build your LinkedIn profile with Career Services.
  • Make a digital archive of AFO studio and personal work.
  • Research VCUArts alumni for networking and mentorship opportunities.
  • Complete a “Gap Analysis” Strategic Plan with your academic or career advisor.
  • Enhance your business, software, technology and creative skills using Lynda.
Experience Year 2
  • First semester: Take PAPR 201,231 and 290.
  • Second semester: PAPR 211 and PAPR 301 or 311.
  • 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.
  • Meet with your faculty mentors to discuss your interests and opportunities to align with those.
  • Attend Diversity Scholars in Research Week.
  • Consider short-term, semester and year-long Study Abroad opportunities.
  • Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department every semester.
  • Apply to grants and scholarships on VCUarts and University website every semester.
  • Conduct numerous informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Start searching for internships and job opportunities with the aid of faculty mentor, advisor, and/or career services
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.  
Year 3
  • Begin taking upper level PAPR studio classes.
  • Meet with your advisor to discuss strategies for success in your degree program and plans for elective coursework.
  • Conduct independent undergraduate research.
  • Gain practical experience related to career goals through internships, mentorships, shadowing, and other form of experiential learning. 
  • Submit work to juried exhibitions and external grant opportunities.
  • Engage your curiosity, creativity, risk-taking and scholarly investigation and apply for a VCUarts Undergraduate Research Grant.
  • 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.
  • Build your portfolio and create a website.
  • Build and grow your professional network.
Excel Year 4
  • Take Senior Seminar (PAPR 490) and Senior Degree Project (PAPR 402) in the same semester. These courses are designed to prepare students with skills in both studio and professional practice to develop a cohesive body of work.
  • Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor a semester before your anticipated graduation to ensure all graduation requirements will be met.
  • Attend exhibitions, art fairs, and professional conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
  • Expand your local network by attending First Friday art openings and attending artist talks at galleries.
  • Apply for Internship Support Grants
  • Attend networking events in the community.
  • Schedule a mock interview with VCU Career Services.
  • Seek fieldwork opportunities with local artists or institutions for credit.
  • Richmond is known for hosting a wide array of festivals! Learn about new cultures, food, and music by attending one of these events.
  • Research prospective employment opportunities and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
  • Create an annual budget for life after college.
  • Sign up for job alerts through Handshake, professional job boards, and resources such as NYFA.