Study Abroad in Visual and Media Arts Practice
Study abroad is popular at Richmond, with 60 percent of our students completing an experience abroad. The University has over 70 study abroad programs in more than 30 countries.
With appropriate advance course planning, visual and media arts practice students can easily accommodate an experience abroad. In fact, several of our study abroad programs are designed specifically for visual and media arts practice students who wish to incorporate their interest in visual art with an experience abroad. Studying abroad is an excellent way for visual and media arts practice students to set themselves apart from other aspiring artists and applicants to graduate programs.
Considerations by Year
First-Year Students
Visual and media arts practice students who intend to study abroad should meet with Professor Tanja Softic to develop a curricular plan that incorporates their interests while satisfying the necessary prerequisite courses for the major.
Second-Year Students
Study abroad during the second semester, sophomore year is possible for visual and media arts practice students, but is generally not encouraged for two reasons. First, it is recommended that students develop a strong knowledge in working across a variety of media prior to studying abroad. This will help to ensure that you choose a program that best fits your individual goals and interests. Second, the Department of Art and Art History organizes the course schedule based upon the fact that the majority of visual and media arts practice majors study abroad in the fall semester of their junior year.
Third-Year Students
Study abroad during the fall semester of the junior year is highly recommended. Students at this stage will have developed individual interests and will have a strong sense of what they want to gain from the study abroad experience. In the spring of their junior year, visual and media arts practice majors return to the University of Richmond and begin their independent studio work in VMAP 351: Contemporary Theory and Practice for Artists. Students who have studied abroad in strong visual and media arts practice programs tend to return to the University of Richmond with a stronger sense of purpose and general knowledge of international contemporary art.
Fourth-Year Students
It is not possible for visual and media arts practice majors to study abroad in their fourth-year of studies at the University of Richmond. In order to graduate with a degree in visual and media arts practice, students must complete VMAP 465 Advance Studio Practice in the fall of their senior year.
Recommended Programs for Visual and Media Arts Practice
Below is a list of programs that the Department of Art and Art History recommends for studying visual and media arts practice abroad. To explore these and other programs, including summer programs, internships and semester programs in other locations, as well as information on financial aid, scholarships and application procedures, visit the Office of International Education.
