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BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN STUDIO ART

The Studio Art Department at a Glance







The Black Hills State University Studio Art Program is the ideal choice for aspiring art students throughout the state and region. The Department of Studio Art provides students with the technical skill and cultural awareness essential to the careers of professional artists, scholars or teachers. Seminars on specialized topics, a schedule of visiting artists, trips to major cities, and study abroad possibilities all enrich students study of Studio Art at Black Hills State University. 

Studio Art students have access to newly updated studio facilities, private studio spaces, and close mentoring from the art faculty. We integrate formal art concepts with contemporary theory and fundamental practice while using digital media and contemporary technologies in our curriculum. Coursework includes practice as well as discussion and critiques with faculty, advisers, and visiting artists. Exhibition and installation spaces are readily available throughout campus and the community of Spearfish.  

The faculty of the Department of Fine Art is comprised of nationally and internationally recognized artists and scholars with artistic practice and research that spans a broad range of media and disciplines. Dedicated to educating the next generation of artists, award-winning teachers prioritize mentorship, offering students individual attention, small class sizes and private studio spaces.  

Most course work in the programs of study are practice-based studio courses. Studio classes are typically capped at 18-20 students. All studio areas also have classes that are open to non-majors. Three-credit courses normally meet in class for three hours weekly for 15 weeks of fall and spring semester; another six hours of work is expected outside class. Studio areas are open and accessible, and private studios are available on an application bases.

More info about the Bachelor's of Fine Arts Degree

 

shape the future of contemporary art

The Black Hills State University Studio Art Program is the ideal choice for aspiring art students throughout the state and region. The Department of Studio Art provides students with the technical skill and cultural awareness essential to the careers of professional artists, scholars or teachers.

Studio Art students have access to the following resources and opportunities:

  • VISITING ARTIST PROGRAM through a variety of lectures, live demonstrations, exhibitions, and studio visits
  • PRIVATE STUDIO SPACES with after-hours access
  • NEWLY UPDATED STUDIO FACILITIES equipped for painting, drawing, ceramics, printmaking, letterpress, 3D printing, digital art, and more
  • CLOSE MENTORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES with a faculty of nationally and internationally recognized artists and scholars
  • TRIPS TO MAJOR CITIES & STUDY ABROAD POSSIBILITIES
  • ART EXHIBITIONS in one of the various campus galleries and opportunities to participate in calls for artists

  BFA Global Core - 18 semester hours

  • 3 ART 121 Design I 2D (gen ed)
  • 3 ARTH 121 Intro to the Visual Arts
  • 3 ART/MCOM 161 Graphic Communication
  • 3 ART/MCOM 265 Basic Photography
6 Take two of the following 3 courses
  • 3 ART/MCOM 165 History of Photography
  • 3 ARTH 211 History of World Art I
  • 3 ARTH 212 History of World Art II

Required Core - 42 semester hours

  • 3 ART 111 Drawing I
  • 3 ART 112 Drawing II
  • 3 ART 122 Design II - Color
  • 3 ART 123 3-D Design
  • 3 ART 172 Design Concepts in Crafts Media
  • 3 ART 211 Drawing III - Figurative
  • 3 ART 330 Painting Techniques
  • 3 ART 340 Sculpture Techniques
  • 3 ART 350 Ceramics Techniques
  • 3 ART 375 Art and Technology
  • 3 ART 457 4D Art Techniques
  • 3 ART 480 Printmaking Techniques
  • 3 ARTH 456 Recent Developments in Visual Arts
 
  • 3 ART 338 Encaustic Painting Techniques
    OR
  • 3 ART 430 Watercolor Techniques

BFA Major Electives - 15 semester hours

Choose 5 courses from below
  • 3 ART 143 Traditional Lakota Arts
  • 3 ART 231 Painting I
  • 3 ART 257 Intermediate Desktop Publishing
  • 3 ART 291 Independent Study
  • 3 ART 292 Topics
  • 3 ART 312 Intermediate Photography
  • 3 ART 315 Computer Production & Imaging
  • 3 ART 338 Encaustic Painting
  • 3 ART 430 Watercolor
  • 3 ART 494 Internship
  • 3 ARTD 335 Digital Illustion
  • 3 ARTH 165 History of Photography
  • 3 ARTH 415 Gallery Management
  • 3 SPCM 455 Visual Culture

Supportive Electives

Take 1 course from each group below. Courses must be different than those used to satisfy Gen Ed & Major requirements
  • 3 Social Science: AIS/LAKL, ANTH, GEOG, HIST, POLS, PSYC, SOC, SPCM
  • 3 Humanities: ART, ARTH, ENGL, FREN, GER, HUM, MCOM, PHIL, RUSS, SPAN, THEA

General Education Requirements - 30 semester hours

  • 3 ENGL 101 Composition I
  • 3 ENGL 201 Composition II
  • 3 MATH Gen Ed - Mathematics
  • 3 SPCM Speech 101, 215, or 222
  • 6 Gen Ed - Social Science
  • 6 Gen Ed - Arts & Humanities
  • 6-8 Gen Ed - Natural Science & Lab
 

 Required Core - 24 semester hours

  • 3 ART 111 Drawing I
  • 3 ART 121 Design I 2D
  • 3 ART 122 Design II Color
  • 3 ART 123 Three Dimensional Design
  • 3 ARTH 121 Introduction to Visual Arts
  • 3 ARTH 211 History of World Art I
    OR
    3 ARTH 212 History of World Art II

6 Take two courses from the following:

  • 3 ART 172 Design Concepts in Crafts Media
  • 3 ART 211 Drawing III - Figurative
  • 3 ART 231 Painting I
  • 3 ART 292 Topics (or 492)
  • 3 ART 330 Painting Techniques
  • 3 ART 340 Sculpture Techniques
  • 3 ART 350 Ceramics Techniques
  • 3 ART 375 Art and Technology
  • 3 ART 430 Watercolor
  • 3 ART 480 Printmaking Techniques
  • 3 ART 265 Basic Photography

Required Core - 60 semester hours

  • ART 111 Drawing I (gen ed)
  • ART 112 Drawing II
  • ART 121 Design I 2D (gen ed)
  • ART 122 Design II Color
  • ART 123 Three-Dimensional Design
  • ART 172 Design Concepts in Crafts Media 
  • ART 211 Drawing III - Figurative
  • ART 350 Ceramics Techniques
  • ART 375 Art & Technology
  • ART 480 Printmaking Techniques 
  • ART or ARTH 300/400 Level elective credits / Units: 2
  • ARTH 121 Introduction to Visual Arts (gen ed)
  • ARTH 211 History of World Art I
  • ARTH 212 History of World Art II
  • ARTH 456 Recent Developments in Visual Arts
  • ARTE 414 K-12 Art Methods
  • MCOM 265 Basic Photography 
  • ART 338 Encaustic Painting
  • OR ART 430 Watercolor
  • ART 231 Painting 1
  • OR ART 330 Painting Techniques

Pre-Professional Teaching Core - 18 semester hours

  • EDFN 338 Foundations of American Education
  • EDFN 295 Practicum: Pre-Admission
  • EPSY 428 Child & Adolescent Development
  • EPSY 302 Educational Psychology
  • INED 411 South Dakota Indian Studies
  • PSYC 101 General Psychology (gen ed)
  • SPED 100 Intro to Persons with Exceptionalities

Professional K-12 Teaching Core - 22 semester hours

  • EDFN 365 Computer Based Technology & Learning
  • EDFN 375 Methods of Technology Integration
  • EDFN 440 Classroom Management
  • SEED 408 Planning, Managing & Assessing the 7-12 Diverse Classroom
  • SEED 450 Reading and Content Literacy
  • SEED 495 Practicum
  • EDFN 475 Human Relations

Gen Ed Requirements - 30 semester hours

  • 3 ENGL 101 Composition I
  • 3 ENGL 201 Composition II
  • 3 MATH Gen Ed - Mathematics
  • 3 SPCM Speech 101, 215, or 222
  • 6 Gen Ed - Social Science
  • 6 Gen Ed - Arts & Humanities
  • 6-8 Gen Ed - Natural Science & Lab

A minor is NOT required with this major but electives are required to total 128 hours. Students are encouraged to pursue a minor, but to be certified to teach, a content praxis exam must be passed in both the major & minor areas of study.

Required Core - 24 semester hours

  • 3 ART 111 Drawing I
  • 3 ART 121 Design I 2D
  • 3 ART 375 Art and Technology
  • 3 ART 430 Watercolor
    OR
    3 ART 330 Painting Techniques
  • 3 ART 123 Three Dimensional Design
    OR
    3 ART 340 Sculpture Techniques
  • 3 ARTE 414 K-12 Art Methods
  • 3 ARTH 121 Introduction to Visual Arts
  • 3 ESPY 428 Child & Adolescent Development

Required Core - 18 hours

  • 3 ACCT 210 Principles of Accounting I
  • 3 ARTH 121 Introduction to the Visual Arts
  • 3 ARTH 211 History of World Art I
    OR
    3 ARTH 212 History of World Art II
  • 3 ARTH 415 Gallery Management
  • 3 BADM 334 Small Business Management
  • 3 BADM 336 Entrepreneurship I
    OR
    3 BADM 370 Marketing

*Current students, please refer to the DegreeWorks Dashboard in MyBHSU to confirm your major requirements.

FIND YOUR CAREER

» Art Director
» Artist
» Arts & Cultural Policy Administrator
» Arts Educator
» Arts Therapist
» Arts Writer & Publisher
» Commercial Artist
» Gallery Owner
» Illustrator
» Interior Designer
» Museum Curator
» Painter
» Sculptor

SEQUOYAH CHAVEZ
CLASS OF ’20

» President of Art Club and a member of Wenona Cook Art Studios
» Involved on campus in theatre productions and the Residence Hall Association as a Resident Assistant
» Traveled to China in 2018 to participate in an exchange drawing class
» Currently developing a series titled Degenerate Art; illustrating art that rejects convention while retaining intellectual and artistic value

Student Organizations

honors program

In fall 2018, Desy Schoenewies is teaching Constructing/Deconstructing the Book as an Honors colloquia course. In this course, students create hand-bound books using a variety of traditional and contemporary methods including Japanese stab-bound, hand-sewn signatures, and accordion books. The course also explores newer methods of book-making and discusses contemporary artists who use the book as a form of art media. Students use traditional, archival materials for sewing, gluing, and binding their own books, as well as integrate digital print output for their page layouts. Although a general theme is explored for each project, the student may develop their own creative narrative to produce original content and imagery for each book.

art club

In the fall of 2012, the Art Club was formed and remains one of the most active student organizations on campus. Students host events for themselves, for the community, and for the campus.

  • DENVER FINE ARTS WEEK annual fundraiser and trip
  • AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE recipient from the South Dakota Board of Regents in 2015
  • APPROXIMATELY 15-20 MEMBERS are consistently engaged with weekly Art Club events

TAKE THE NEXT STEP

Develop valuable personal relationships in a small community with amazing faculty and staff while thriving in the outdoors of the Black Hills.

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