What Is a Bachelor of Fine Arts?
At universities in the United States, the Bachelor of Fine Arts, or B.F.A., is a post-secondary degree pursued by students wishing to make a career in the visual or performing arts. The degree program, which usually lasts four years, is intended to prepare students for work in the professional fine arts world or for graduate level art studies.
-
Geography
-
In other countries, the Bachelor of Fine Arts often goes under a different name. In England, the degree is called a Bachelor of Arts, which is the name for another art degree in the United States. The difference between the American B.A. and the B.F.A. is that there is no chosen focus of study in the former. In Australia, the Bachelor of Fine Arts is for visual arts only, while performing arts are awarded more specific degrees such as the Bachelor of Dance or Bachelor of Drama. Most of Europe also uses these more focused degrees. In some countries, the B.F.A. may be called a Bachelor of Creative Arts.
Function
-
Bachelor of Fine Arts programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, which requires the programs to provide an intensive focus on art and a secondary focus on general studies. Programs are intended to teach students about what to expect from their chosen profession, how to deal with the economic, social and psychological demands and how to adapt to life as an artist. Coursework is rigorous to allow for maximum skill development, and classes are designed to teach critical and creative thinking. Students leave a B.F.A. program with a wide understanding of art, art theory and art history.
-
Features
-
The B.F.A. combines academic studies with a great deal of studio work. Liberal arts, social science and technology studies are often required to give students a broader understanding of the world and more places to draw inspiration from. Often the program is used as a conservatory approach to teaching art; students study a wide range of arts in their first year and choose a study focus in their second year. The last two years of the program are spent learning and honing skills in that specific area of study.
Types
-
Students choose a major within the larger program, which dictates the types of classes they will be required to take. Some schools will only offer the basic programs of acting, design, drawing and sculpture, while others offer much more varied choices. A university with a good focus study selection will include choices such as drawing, acting, musical theater, computer animation, dance, drama, film production, animation, visual effects, graphic design, fiber, illustration, industrial design, metalworking, interior design, music, painting, printmaking, sculpture, photography, television production, comic art, advertising, furniture design and web multimedia. Some schools may even include their creative writing program within the Bachelor of Fine Arts.
Benefits
-
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree opens up a whole world of careers to artistic students. Many graduates become practicing artists such as photographers, ceramists, art directors and video animators. Those that have completed the art education option go on to teach art at elementary or secondary schools. Some graduates pursue a Master's degree instead of venturing straight into the career world, which comes in the form of a Master of Fine Arts or M.F.A. M.F.A. graduates, after their advanced study, may become college professors, gallery curators, museum curators, art administrators and art restorers.
-
