Welcome to the Department of Art & Art History
The work of the Department of Art & Art History is a joint effort towards building a more comprehensive understanding of the visual arts and contemporary media, as phenomena and communicative tools. The study of art at the university level, embedded in the ideals of a liberal arts education, allows students to develop their creativity, critical faculties and historical understanding through visual media.
Visual and media arts practice and art history have separate curricula, but links between the two, and other disciplines, are encouraged. In addition to these programs, the Department of Art & Art History offers a concentration in arts management in conjunction with University Museums.
Major & Minor Requirements
The art history program offers both a major and minor that provide a comprehensive understanding of art across time, cultures, and media. Students engage in a mix of foundational courses, specialized topics, and hands-on research, fostering critical analysis and historical perspectives. Opportunities for internships, study abroad, and the senior thesis further enrich students’ academic experience.
The visual media arts practice major and minor offer students a comprehensive study in drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, film, video and sound, emphasizing both artistic creation and technical skills. Students explore creative processes, develop critical thinking, and gain proficiency with state-of-art tools and techniques. The curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical application, preparing graduates for careers in the visual arts and related fields.
Courses
The Department of Art & Art History offers a diverse range of courses in both visual and media arts practice (VMAP) and art history.
VMAP courses cover areas such as drawing, film, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture,sound, and video, focusing on technical skills and creative expression through courses taught by outstanding practicing faculty, hands-on projects, and state-of-the-art tools.
Art History courses delve into various art movements, styles, and cultural contexts, providing a broad understanding of historical and contemporary art.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Art history and visual & media arts practice students engage in undergraduate research with a wide array of topics supported by renowned faculty mentors supported by generous funding.
The Richmond Guarantee provides up to $5,000 for unpaid or underpaid summer internships and research projects, while additional funding is available for academic year research and conference travel.
Each spring, over 300 students showcase their research at the A&S Student Symposium.
Students are fortunate to have access to a variety of excellent art institutions in addition to the University’s Museums. The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts is a first-rate, encyclopedic museum where students can study and research art objects. Richmond has a vibrant art gallery scene that is celebrated the first of each month. An annual trip to visit Washington, D.C., gives students the opportunity to see a wide range of art in museums and galleries and to visit selected museum departments.
Equipment, Resources & Studio Spaces
Renovated and expanded in 2018 and 2019, the Department of Art & Art History has one of the best-equipped spaces in the country for a University and program of its size. The area spaces for drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, film, sound, video, and animation are state of the art, as is the new art history seminar room and auditorium. Combined with the facilities of the University Museums, the department provides a fantastic environment for education in the visual arts..
The Visual Resource Center offers guidance on image searching, copyright, and usage, alongside access to global image collections, art-related news, reference books, and a DVD collection. Students also have access to ARTstor, a vast image database with over a million images, including 15,000 locally digitized collections, accessible both on and off-campus for study and presentations.
Scholarships & Awards
The University of Richmond and the Department of Art & Art History offer several prestigious awards in visual and media arts and art history.
The Richmond Scholars Program’s Artist Scholars designation provides up to six full-tuition scholarships annually to first-year students excelling in the visual or performing arts. Additionally, the Philip Frederick, Jr. Memorial Award and the Bobby Chandler Annual Award recognize outstanding students in art history and media arts based on character, academic excellence, and talent.