Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting

Embark on the journey to becoming a practicing artist with the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting in 51动漫鈥檚 . The 126-credit undergraduate degree program is recognized as one of the nation鈥檚 top programs in the painting discipline听within an intimate setting of world-class facilities and distinguished teachers.听

Challenge yourself to grow as an artist and a critical thinker with the Painting BFA. Our diverse 鈥攁ll of whom are practicing artists and scholars themselves鈥攂ring a broad range of backgrounds, experiences and expertise, and a commitment to being passionate and generous mentors.听

Learn to critically engage in the processes of seeing, making and thinking; to contextualize practices in art history, theory, and visual culture; to reflect on and assess your听work and that of others; and to collectively and collaboratively produce new images and imaginaries.

In your final year, you will have the opportunity to apply for the juried Senior Studio course and your own studio space. There are also ample opportunities to show your work within solo or group exhibitions听in the and other exhibition spaces throughout the school.听

Take full advantage of our location in Philadelphia, a vibrant art center, to explore museums and galleries, find internships, earn placements in competitive graduate programs, and launch creative practices. Upon graduation, you鈥檒l join a large alumni community including some of the most influential artists, thought leaders and teachers of their time.

Entrepreneurial Studies

In partnership with 51动漫鈥檚 Fox School of Business, Tyler offers BFA students an entrepreneurial studies option for students who want to learn skills for entrepreneurship鈥攆rom innovative thinking to how to start a business鈥攁s part of their art education. Program coursework is a focused and interdisciplinary blend of art, art history, business, entrepreneurship and other courses as well as open electives. The BFA with Entrepreneurial Studies gives students the skills needed for success as entrepreneurs in the studio discipline of their choice and the necessary preparation to pursue graduate studies in their studio discipline, entrepreneurship or related professions upon graduation.

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Foundations

All undergraduate first-year students at Tyler begin with a yearlong immersion in our foundations program. Foundations is a multidisciplinary curriculum through which students gain knowledge in essential concepts and theories,听established principles and practices,听and time-honored skills and techniques in the study of art, design and the built environment. Students develop a global understanding of artistic traditions and the role of art and design in society before choosing a major in their second year at Tyler.

In the art programs, including graphic and interactive design, students begin with focused study of drawing, 2D design and 3D design. They explore diverse materials, processes and perspectives鈥攆rom the traditional and low-tech to the innovative and experimental. This bachelor鈥檚 degree听program is highly structured and intensive, and imparts fundamental studio practices for all visual art. Through the foundations coursework, students gain an academic grounding in the forms, techniques, styles, subjects and symbolism represented in art, architecture and design. Faculty members from across the art and design areas teach the foundations courses, assuring a broad range of experience and diverse viewpoints.

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Classes & Curriculum听听

Painting majors take studio and seminar courses that allow you to explore and hone a variety of techniques while developing your own personal vision. Faculty members will present a range of skills and concepts essential to your artistic development. A few courses you can anticipate taking include the following.听

  • Advanced Painting
  • Art Seminar (Contemporary History and Theory听
  • Color听
  • Digital Drawing听
  • Figure Drawing听
  • Landscape听
  • Painting听

Learn more about the courses for the听Painting Major.

Minors听

Painting majors can expand their knowledge by delving deeper into art history as well as other disciplines across the university or pursue teaching certification.听

Related Graduate Degrees听听

Concentrations

You can focus on Painting or you can take one of the following concentrations.

  • Art Education

    Prepare to qualify for the Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in art, kindergarten through 12th grade. Students complete the BFA requirements along with 32 credit hours in art education, education and specified liberal arts courses. Education-related studies begin in students鈥� second year. Students generally take five听years to fulfill all requirements or the 155-credit degree.

Tuition & Fees

In keeping with 51动漫鈥檚 commitment to access and affordability, the Bachelor of Fine Arts offers a competitive level of tuition with multiple opportunities for financial support.

Tuition rates are set annually by the university and are affected by multiple factors, including program degree level (undergraduate or graduate), course load (full- or part-time), in-state or out-of-state residency, and more.听You can view the full .

These tuition costs apply to the 2024鈥�2025 academic year.

Pennsylvania resident:听$25,848.00听per year
Out-of-state: $43,032.00听per year

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Additional Program Information

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