Visual Arts Minors

Students pursuing a BA in Art or BFA in Art Education, Graphic Design, Painting, or Sculpture are able to declare a minor in Printmaking. Students gain experience and exposure to a variety of printmaking art forms and techniques that supplement and enrich their study in other disciplines.

Declare a Printmaking Minor

Visual Arts Minor

The Visual Arts minor requires 20 units of visual arts coursework (CFA AR). For the full requirements please see the University Bulletin.

The Visual Arts minor is selective and requires an application for admission. All undergraduate students at BU who are majoring in areas outside of the School of Visual Arts are eligible to apply. The application consists of a portfolio that demonstrates an applicant’s previous experience in the visual arts and their current abilities in observational drawing.

Observational drawing refers to the practice of working from the world directly in front and around us unmediated by technology like the camera or a screen. The portfolio should show your strengths in formal qualities such as composition, material, texture and the language of rendering form as well as your conceptual and personal interests. Drawing is the foundation of the Visual Arts curriculum and VA minors are expected to be proficient in this area so that they may fully engage with courses in the School of Visual Arts.

Apply for a Minor in Visual Arts

VISUAL ARTS MINOR APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Portfolio of five (5) images of original artwork. Included in those five (5) images must be at least two (2) drawings from direct observation, preferably one still-life and one self-portrait. The remaining three (3) images should be work of your choosing that demonstrates the formal qualities above, your engagement with your materials and areas of technical skill, and personal studio work and interests.
Short essay questions to help the application review committee understand how studying visual arts relates to your personal or professional goals and why you are interested in pursuing the Visual Arts minor.

Visual Arts Minor Application

The Visual Arts minor application closes each year on the last day of classes for the spring semester, and reopens at the start of classes for the fall semester.

APPLICATION PRIORITY DEADLINES

March 1	To guarantee consideration by the start of Fall semester registration.
October 1	To guarantee consideration by the start of Spring semester registration.

Applications received after October 1 and March 1 will be reviewed on a rolling basis but are not guaranteed to receive a response prior to registration.
Students are eligible to apply to the Visual Arts minor starting in their first semester (no applications are accepted pre-matriculation).
Students are strongly encouraged to apply before the end of their sophomore year. Later applications may result in a student not being able to complete the minor requirements by graduation.

PORTFOLIO TIPS

Portfolios that feature composite pages comprised of multiple images are discouraged.
When you upload your images, Slideroom will provide you with text fields to submit the title, dimensions, medium, and description of your work.
The documentation of your work is crucial to how it is received by the review committee. Please ensure that your images are of the highest quality, in focus and well-lit.
You are encouraged to only include recent work (from approximately the past 12 months) as this will best show the state of your current practice and ability.
The faculty also encourages works that were completed outside of a school assignment. This could include sketchbook pages.
Only submit your original artwork. Fraudulent portfolios are considered to be plagiarism and are not tolerated.

NOTIFICATION OF APPLICATION DECISIONS

Visual Arts minor applications are reviewed by a panel of faculty and administrators in the School of Visual Arts.
Applicants will be notified of their admissions decision via email from the School.
Admitted students will be instruction on how to formally declare their minor, and will also receive information on how to register for Visual Arts courses.

Additional Information

Visual Arts minors are advised to develop an academic plan that allows them to complete the minor at a rate of one 4cr course per semester due to limited class availability and the time-intensive nature of visual arts studio courses. Beth Zerega, Academic Advisor for the School of Visual Arts, is available to help minors with their course planning.

Summer Term & Study Abroad

Visual Arts minors are eligible to participate in the Venice Studio Arts program offered through BU Study Abroad. This program, offered during the summer and the academic year, provides students with the opportunity to study visual arts and Italian culture. All Visual Arts courses (CFA AR xxx) offered in Venice count towards the Visual Arts minor.

Many Visual Arts minors fulfill some of their minor requirements during BU Summer Term, particularly those who are interested in taking courses in Graphic Design. All BU Summer Term Visual Arts courses (CFA AR xxx) count towards the Visual Arts minor.

Intra University Transfer

Students who desire study in the visual arts beyond what is offered through the minor may be able to apply for an Intra University Transfer (IUT) to major in the BA in Art or a BFA in Art Education, Graphic Design, Painting, Printmaking, or Sculpture. Pursuing an IUT later than the fall of Sophomore year may lengthen a student’s course of study. Students considering this should consult with Visual Arts Academic Advising on their plan.

Course #	Section	Course Title	Credits

Printmaking Minor

Declare a Printmaking Minor

CFA Minor Declaration Form

Minor Declaration

Agreement