Visual Arts (B.A.) Program

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Your Art, Your Revolution: Passion Meets Purpose in Visual Arts

Your art is your voice, your rebellion, your healing—and at Fredonia, we're committed to amplifying that voice. Our Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts and New Media isn't just an academic program; it's a transformative experience designed to challenge, inspire, and elevate your creative potential. Through a flexible 48-credit studio art curriculum, state-of-the-art resources, and personalized mentorship, we'll help you develop not just technical skills, but the confidence to push artistic boundaries and make meaningful contributions to the creative world.

Are you ready to turn your passion for art into a future filled with possibilities?

What You’ll Gain

Creative Mastery – Build a strong foundation in studio art while refining your unique artistic style.
Technical Expertise – Work with traditional and emerging technologies in art and design.
Critical Thinking – Develop problem-solving skills to communicate ideas effectively through visual media.
Professional Development – Learn from visiting artists, engage in gallery exhibitions, and collaborate on real-world projects.
Global Awareness – Understand the role of art in society and sustainability through coursework and community engagement.

Career Opportunities for Visual Arts (B.A.)

Art Director
Art Therapist
Creative Director
Designer
Museum Curator

Art Teacher
Craft and Fine Studio Artist
Chief Creative Officer
Exhibition Designer
User Experience (UX) Designer

What does a 4-year degree look like?

First Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 100	Visual Concepts	3
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
ARTS 102	Foundations in 2D Form and Content	3
ARTS 105	Foundations in Drawing	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	16

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
	ARTS 221, 222 or 225	3
	ARTS 240 or 270	3
ARTH 101	Art in Culture From Prehistory to 1400	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	16

Second Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
ARTH 102	Art in Culture From 1400 to the Present	3
ARTS xxx	200- or 300-level Studio Elective	3
ARTS xxx	200- or 300-level Studio Elective	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	16

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
ARTH xxx	Art History Elective	3
ARTS xxx	200- or 300-level Studio Elective	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	16

Third Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
ARTS xxx	200- or 300-level Studio Elective	3
ARTS xxx	300-level Studio Elective	3
FF	Course	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	2
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
ARTS xxx	300-level Studio Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	2
	TOTAL	15

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
ARTS xxx	300-level Studio Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	13

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
ARTS xxx	400-level Studio Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	13

GRAND TOTAL:

This Sample Degree Map is based on the requirements published in the University Catalog.

First Year - JCC

Fall Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
ENG 1510	ENGL 099 Non Major Elective	3
SUNY Gen Ed MATH	Fredonia Foundations Math	3
ART 1500	ARTS 100 Visual Concepts	3
SUNY Gen Ed Soc Sci	Fredonia Foundations Soc Sci	3
INT 1555	LART 099 Liberal Arts Elective	2
	TOTAL	14

Spring Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
ENG 1530	ENGL 100 Craft of Writing	3
SUNY Gen Ed Nat Sci	Fredonia Foundations Nat Sci	3
ART 1530	ARTS 102 Found in 2D Form/Content	3
Elective	Non ART Elective	3
SUNY Gen Ed	Fredonia Foundations	3
	TOTAL	15

Second Year - JCC

Fall Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
ART 1510	ARTS 105 Found in Drawing	3
SUNY Gen Ed	Fredonia Foundations	3
SUNY Gen Ed	Fredonia Foundations	3
ART 1550	ARTH 101 Art Culture Prehist-1400	3
SUNY Gen Ed	Fredonia Foundations	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
ART 1560	ARTH 102 Art Culture 1400-Pres	3
Elective	Non ART Elective	3
ART 2540	ARTS 225 Digital Foundations	3
ART 1540 or 1590	ARTS 240 Found 3D Form OR ARTS 270 Found in Clay	3
Elective	Non ART Elective	3
Elective	Non ART Elective	1
	TOTAL	16

Third Year - Fredonia

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
Elective	Upper Level ARTS Elective	3
Elective	Upper Level ARTH Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Upper Level Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Upper Level Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Elective	2
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
Elective	Upper Level ARTS Elective	3
Elective	Upper Level ARTS Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Upper Level Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Elective	2
	TOTAL	15

Fourth Year - Fredonia

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
Elective	Upper Level ARTS Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Elective	2
Elective	Upper Level Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Upper Level Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Upper Level Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ARTS 400 Level	Advanced level ARTS in Animation + Illustration, Ceramics, Film + Video, Graphic Design, Painting + Drawing, Photography or Sculpture (3 credits hours), excluding all ARTS 490 and ARTS 497 courses	3
ART 120	Visiting Artist Program	1
Elective	Upper Level ARTS Elective	3
Elective	Upper Level ARTS Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Upper Level Elective	3
Elective	Non ARTS Elective	2
	TOTAL	15

GRAND TOTAL:

*.Admission to the department's studio program requires the submission of an acceptable portfolio. Information specific to portfolio content may be found at https://www.fredonia.edu/vanm-submit-portfolio.

This Sample Transfer Path is based on the requirements published in the University Catalog.

Transfer Policy:
SUNY General Education/Fredonia Foundations: Students who earned an AA/AS SUNY Degree in 2015 or later, or completed the SUNY Gen Ed requirement prior to transferring, will have satisfied Fredonia Foundations, our local general education requirement. Students who earned any other SUNY Degree may need to complete additional Fredonia Foundation courses at Fredonia. Such students should consult with their current advisor regarding the SUNY Gen Ed requirement and applicable courses. All SUNY General Education courses will be verified by the General Education Transcript Addendum, GETA, which is sent with the SUNY transcript.

Transfer Credit Policy:
Please refer to our Transfer Credit Policy in the College Catalog for current information.

What are all the required and elective courses offered to obtain this degree?

View Full Curriculum

ART 100 Visual Concepts

The course is intended to introduce first-year visual arts and new media students to visual culture and the individual disciplines of the visual arts as well as develop and master personal study habits as they approach college-level learning. Topics will include art concepts, media techniques and terminology, and visual cultural analysis, as well as time-management, writing within the discipline, college resources and support networks.

ARTS 102 Foundations in 2D Form and Content

Introductory course investigating the principles and elements of visual design. Unity, emphasis, balance, scale, line, form, texture, rhythm and color are explored through two-dimensional studio problems.

ARTS 105 Foundations in Drawing

Theory and practice in a variety of graphic media. Conte, ink, pencil, and charcoal used in studio problems to acquaint beginning student with full range of drawing possibilities.

It's Different Here

From Classroom to Career

Whether you want to work in galleries, studios, or graduate programs, our alumni thrive in competitive creative fields.

Art That Inspires Change

Work on socially responsible art projects that make an impact in the local and regional community.

Your Portfolio Speaks for You

Admission is based on your portfolio, ensuring that you're surrounded by peers who are just as passionate about art as you are.

Why Pursue Visual Arts and New Media at Fredonia?

Fredonia students look at art pieces during a gallery opening, visual arts

Artists & Designers from Around the World

Experience special lectures, gallery openings, and workshops led by renowned artists and designers from around the world.

Fredonia students working on stop-motion animation in the lab

Accredited for Excellence, Recognized for Quality

Our NASAD accreditation means you’re earning a degree that meets the highest standards in art and design education.

Fredonia students examine artwork in a studio, New Media degree

Your Professors are Industry Pros

Study with award-winning artists and designers who exhibit nationally and internationally—learning from their expertise and real-world experience.

Fredonia student working with a blowtorch in the studio

Flexible Curriculum

Customize Your Creative Path

Want to study art and another passion? Our flexible B.A. program makes it easy to double major and expand your career options. With a customizable curriculum, you can blend your artistic skills with business, education, or any field you choose.

Student Stories

My experience at Fredonia shaped me into not only the designer I am today, but also the person. Every member of the faculty with whom I had the pleasure of working is a world-class educator and I consider myself lucky to have been welcomed by such an incredible institution.

— Annie Leue