David LaPalombara, Director

The School of Art at Ohio University is committed to developing professional artists, designers, and scholars who are dedicated to public discourse. Practice and production are both emphasized and informed by aesthetic, intellectual, political, historical, cultural, and critical awareness. We see the visual arts at Ohio University as transformative for communities, society, and ourselves. Our students come from diverse geographic, ethnic, cultural, and aesthetic backgrounds.  This diversity is reflected both in the School of Art and the College of Fine Arts, which also includes the schools of Dance, Music, Theater, Film, and Interdisciplinary Arts. Students are encouraged to become involved in various art forms, to experiment in interdisciplinary approaches, and to find the innate relationship within and across these expressive disciplines. Within the School of Art, you will find a distinguished and dedicated faculty. These individuals work hard to maintain a healthy balance between teaching expertise, professional creative work, scholarly research, and community service. We maintain a strong commitment to our undergraduate and graduate programs. Our facilities are well equipped for each major area. To attract the best quality students, we offer numerous undergraduate scholarships. Four exhibition spaces showcase the works of students, faculty, and nationally renowned visiting artists, providing arts experiences for the University and Athens communities. These services bring a global perspective to our rich local culture.Whether you are a prospective student, alumnus, or other interested visitor, please visit our Web site to learn even more about our excellent School’s programs, faculty, and staff.

The Program

Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) with a major in Art or Art History, or a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) with a major in art history, ceramics, graphic design, interior architecture, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture. Our facilities include: an extensive range of ceramic kilns; a sculpture building with metal working equipment, a modern foundry, and a comprehensive wood shop; painting and drawing studios; printmaking facilities with photo-silkscreen, lithography, etching, typesetting presses, and digital equipment for producing large-scale prints; graphic design digital labs; and a photography area with extensive darkrooms, studios, and computers for digital imagery. All students have e-mail access and entry to the major collections in the Fine Arts Library, located at Ohio University’s Alden Library, which serves as a federal research repository and is particularly strong in Renaissance art, 19th century art, Oceanic art, modern art, contemporary art, and the history of photography. The Fine Arts Library also contains more than 200,000 images in slide form and digital files, plus numerous CDs and videotapes. On-campus study collections include the Kennedy Collection of Native American Art, the Kennedy Collection of African Art, and the Trisolini Contemporary Print Collection, as well as exhibitions curated at the Kennedy Museum of Art. Our Visiting Artists program regularly brings to campus internationally known artists and scholars.

The Process

All students enter the School of Art as Bachelor of Art in Art or Art History. Students in the B.A. in Art History enter directly into the major. Students in the B.A. in Art have shared experiences during their first year in the foundations program. This program provides students with a basis for critical and creative thinking by giving them a broad range of experiences in the studio and classroom. The first year also gives students the opportunity to integrate their General Education studies with their development as growing artists and scholars.

Many students choose to stay in the B.A. in Art degree track.  The B.A. offers students the opportunity to pursue double B.A. majors in other areas on campus. Dual BA degrees are common in the School of Art.  For more information concerning possible dual B.A. degrees, please see the Ohio University catalog for a comprehensive list of all available B.A. degrees.

Students in the B.A. in Art also have the option of applying into one of the eight Bachelor of Fine Arts programs offered through the School of Art. The School of Art offers B.F.A. degrees in Ceramics, Graphic Design, Interior Architecture, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture. Students interested in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Architecture may apply to that major program by portfolio review over the summer between freshman and sophomore year. Students interested in the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Ceramics, Graphic Design, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture may apply to these major programs by portfolio review at the end of sophomore year. All B.F.A. studio areas require an exhibition of each student’s artwork as the crowning event in achieving the degree.

Both the B.A. and B.F.A. degrees require an accumulative 2.75 GPA and an in-major 3.0 GPA.

Advising

With a faculty of 30 members, the School of Art makes advising an integral part of the educational experience. Students are encouraged to consult regularly with advisers concerning the selection of courses and progress toward fulfilling degree requirements. Advisors also can help students determine which scholarships are available. Other resources for advising and consulting include the student services coordinator, the chair of the foundations program, and the area chair in your major.

Opportunities

Two organizations in the School of Art round out the community by affording more opportunities for student interaction. The Undergraduate Art League (UAL) sponsors visiting artists, organizes annual juried exhibitions, and coordinates trips to major museums. The Students in Design (SID) is a student chapter of the American Center for Design (ACD). SID members sponsor design-related events, assist sophomores in portfolio preparation, and attend the annual ACD conference.

Scholarships

Renewable talent scholarships are available to incoming, first-year students. Submit portfolios online to the School of Art Scholarship Committee, Seigfred Hall, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio 45701, by the February 20th deadline. Detailed information on portfolio requirements can be obtained from the Student Services Office at the School of Art.

Incoming students are also eligible to be considered for the Gateway award program, which is based on academic achievement and/or financial need. Four other University programs based on ACT, SAT, and/or rank support underrepresented students: the Templeton Scholars Award, the King/Chavez/Parks Awards, the Urban Scholars Award, and the Ohio University Incentive Award. These scholarships are awarded through the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and require certain criteria in order to be renewed each year. Once enrolled, recognition is given to art majors as they pursue their programs through the annual awarding of scholarships and prizes, including the College of Fine Arts Upperclass Dean’s Awards and numerous endowed funds. These funds are awarded for outstanding accomplishments at the sophomore through senior levels, and they are based primarily on talent. Included in the School of Art endowed scholarships are: Kenneth Clifford Memorial, John Steven Cordray Scholarship Fund, Rose Marie Darst Memorial, L.C. Mitchell Memorial, the Foster Award, Francis Paulson Family Memorial, Terry Shuchat Photography Scholarship, Walter and Sally Greene Scholarship, and the Edna Way Scholarship. Application for these scholarships must be made online by mid March at http://www-sfa.chubb.ohiou.edu/.

Work Experience

Program to Aid in Career Exploration (PACE) positions are designed to offer preprofessional experiences to    undergraduates in all areas throughout the University. The School of Art faculty and administrators employ PACE students, who learn as apprentices in many areas of the School. Some of these include: graphic designer, studio assistant, slide library photographer, public relations assistant, studio art printer, graphic design lab manager, gallery assistant, Web master, and newsletter editor. Students interested in this program must apply for PACE eligibility at the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships. Work-study positions are available in the School of Art. Motivated art students frequently find internships in the Kennedy Museum of Art or in local galleries. Upperclass art students may apply to become Art Ambassadors for the school.

Admission Requirements

If you are planning to pursue an art major, you will enter the School of Art as a B.A. major with either the BA5193 major code (studio art) or BA5149 major code (art history). You need to meet the general Ohio University requirements to be accepted. A portfolio is required only if you are interested in applying for a talent scholarship or if you are a transfer student.

School of Art Grade Point Average Policy

Students in the School of Art (SoA) on the Athens campus are required to maintain a 2.75 accumulative grade point average and a 3.0 grade point average in major courses.

Any freshman directly admitted to the School of Art on the Athens campus who has earned less than a 2.75 accumulative and a 3.0 major course grade point average (GPA) after his/her first two academic quarters of full-time enrollment (12 credit hours minimum per quarter) will be required to attend a Gaining Academic Progress (GAP) workshop through the Allen Student Help Center in Baker Center.  Failure to attend a required GAP workshop will result in an “academic-hold” placed on the student’s records, which will make the student unable to register for future classes.

If after spring quarter of sophomore year a student’s accumulative GPA is less than a 2.75 and their major course GPA is less than a 3.0, they may be dismissed from the School of Art.

Following each quarter of full-time enrollment students’ grades will be reviewed to make certain that they have met the 2.75 accumulative and 3.0 major course minimum GPA.

Each quarter a student’s GPA falls below the required 2.75/3.0 minimum GPA they will be subject to the School of Art probation policy.

School of Art Probation Policy

The School of Art probation policy requires that each quarter a student’s GPA falls below the accumulative 2.75/3.0 major minimum they must earn a 2.75/3.0 GPA for the next quarter in order to continue in the School of Art.

After three consecutive full-time academic quarters on School of Art probation without GPA progress a student will be referred to the SoA Academic Review Committee. The Academic Review Committee may recommend further workshop attendance, continuation of probation, or dismissal from the SoA.

Dismissal from the SoA may be appealed to the SoA Academic Review Committee.  The appeal process requires:

 • two letters of support from tenured/tenure track faculty within the SoA

 • one support letter from the student’s academic adviser

 • a personal statement addressing  strategies for success

Note:

Following fall and winter quarters, School of Art first-year students who, at the time of review, have a GPA between 2.0 and 2.749 will be required to complete a Gaining Academic Progress (GAP) Workshop coordinated by the Allen Student Help Center. This 90 minute workshop is mandatory and is intended to help students improve their academic performance and return to good academic standing in the School of Art as quickly as possible. Failure to attend a workshop will result in a registration hold, which will not be lifted until the workshop is complete. Information about the workshop will be sent to students’ permanent address, local address, and/or university email account. See the Allen Student Help Center website (www.ohio.edu/helpcenter) for workshop dates and times. Please contact the Allen Student Help Center with any questions or concerns: 419 Baker University Center, 740.566.8888, helpcenter@ohio.edu.

Major Areas and Requirements

Students may elect the B.A. in art or art history, or seek admission into one of the B.F.A studio majors. The School of Art requires a minimum accumulative GPA of 2.75 and an in-major GPA of 3.0. Students interested in gaining admission into one of the studio B.F.A. major programs must meet these prerequisites and should consult with the chair of the intended major area before submitting their required portfolio application. To graduate, students must satisfy the degree requirements of Ohio University, the College of Fine Arts, and the School of Art. The following courses, available on regional campuses only, may not be used to fulfill specific degree requirements in the School of Art, including studio electives: ART 115A , 125 , 141 , and 151 . School of Art students may use these courses as free electives only.

Transfer Requirements

While the School of Art welcomes students transferring from other programs, not all students can be accepted, due to limits in space and resources. Admission is selective, not guaranteed.

Transfer guidelines for students currently enrolled at Ohio University include the following:

• Minimum requirement of a 2.75 GPA
• Minimum grade of B for credit in major courses
• Must enroll as a B.A. in art or art history and complete a required program of foundations and studio courses
• Must submit a portfolio and meet all of the prerequisites for admission into any of the B.F.A. studio majors
• May not enroll as a senior
• Applications for transfer can be obtained from the College of Fine Arts Dean’s Office
• Must contact the student services coordinator at the School of Art for advising during the first quarter of study

Transfer guidelines for students attending another institution of higher learning:

• Must enroll as a B.A. in art or art history and complete a required program of foundations and studio courses

To apply for credit for upper-level studio coursework completed at another institution, submit the following:

• Copy of all college transcripts
• Portfolio of original work (in digital format)
• Self-addressed, stamped envelope (large enough to return original work)

All materials should be sent to:

Chair of Foundations, Transfer Portfolio Review
School of Art
Seigfred Hall
Ohio University
Athens, OH 45701

Deadlines:

May 1 - Fall and summer entries

October 1 - Winter entries

February 1 - Spring entries

Returning Students

Students wishing to return to complete a program after 10 years must reapply for acceptance. Credits earned prior to readmittance are subject to review by the school for credit toward current major requirements.