Columbia College Bachelor of Fine Arts
Immerse yourself in the arts and express your ideas at Columbia College.
Residential classes
May
01
next start date
16
week semester
5
year locked-in tuition
Available program formats: In class: BFA.ART
Explore the fine arts at Columbia College
In our BFA program at Columbia College you will find the tools, space, and inspiration needed to create a strong body of artwork. You can decide to specialize in a certain medium or explore multiple. Given a mix of freedom and discipline, you will develop the critical and technical skills necessary to express your ideas as artists.
The BFA is a selective degree program intended for students who plan to pursue a professional career in art or attend graduate school. Interested students must apply by the fourth week of their junior year with 60 credit hours or more.
The culmination of the BFA program, is a solo exhibition in one of our professional galleries. Upon being accepted into the BFA program, you will start creating, refining, and cultivating your body of work until your final exhibition.
Opportunities to study:
- Ceramics
- Graphic design
- Painting and drawing
- Photography
Prepare to be a professional artist.
Our program will prepare you to be active contributors to culture and society. Through studio practice and theoretical study, you will develop a critical awareness about your own work and the work of others.
Fellow Columbia College students in the program and faculty offer motivation, expertise, and support throughout your time in the program. You will be immersed in a supportive learning environment beneficial for creative exploration and growth.
Some possible paths include:
- Studio artist
- Community artist
- Art critic
- Curation
- Gallerist
- Creative entrepreneur
- Arts administrator
- Graduate school
Bachelor of Arts vs. Bachelor of Fine Arts: What's the difference?
The BA in Art is a flexible program allowing you to acquire a breadth of experience in various art mediums. BA students take foundation level courses in each art medium we offer, then can explore any medium(s) further in open upper-level elective hours. The BFA is a selective degree program intended for students who plan to pursue a professional career in art or attend graduate school. Interested students apply in their junior year, select a specific medium to focus on, and develop a body of work for a culminating exhibition.
Bo Bedilion
"It’s been really great for the students to be able to showcase their work, as well as introduce functional and sculptural pottery to the larger community on campus. It’s almost a celebration of our achievements and our creations throughout the semester."
Read about BoView more faculty profiles
Find your path
Submit this form to get information about applying to Columbia College.
Questions about admissions? Call the main line.
Main line: (573) 875-8700
Want to know more about our programs? Contact the department.
Department phone: 573-875-7517
Office: BRN 209A
Email: HASS@CCIS.edu
Your degree starts here Take these courses
Available program formats
- Core requirements 73 credit hours
- Total degree requirements 120 credit hours
Some courses you may take
Continuation of the study of three-dimensional principles of ceramics. Advanced techniques of the potter's wheel, glazing, and firings are introduced with an emphasis on the development of an understanding of the form and functions of both hand building and potter's wheel projects. Prerequisite: ARTS 373.
Continuation of the study of three-dimensional ceramics. The emphasis is on individual expression in clay using both hand building and wheel throwing techniques. Exploration with glazing and advanced firing techniques is encouraged. Prerequisite: ARTS 375.
Beginning study of three-dimensional principles of ceramics open to art majors and non-majors. The techniques of wheel throwing and hand building are introduced with an emphasis on the development of an understanding of the form and functions of utilitarian and non-functional projects in clay. The design quality and aesthetics of the project are emphasized.
Continuation of the advanced study of three-dimensional principles of ceramics using the potter's wheel. Continuation of the theory and practical issues of the ceramic kiln, both gas-fired and electric. Continuation and refinement glaze formulation. Prerequisite: ARTS 480.
- Core requirements 73 credit hours
- Total degree requirements 120 credit hours
Some courses you may take
This course covers how to plan, strategize, and design the visual components of a corporate identity or brand. Focus is placed on creating cohesive designs that function across various mediums. We will explore logo design, branding standard guides, and brand implementation in 2D and 3D outcomes. Prerequisites: ARTS 140 and ARTS 216.
The history of the human race has been recorded with visual symbols from the earliest expressions on cave walls to the small screens on our pocket computers. This course explores the history of letterforms, principles of composition, and the expressive potential of type through readings, research and projects. Prerequisites: ARTS 140.
An introductory level course that explores the methods of digital video art making - primarily as a fine art form distinct from, but intersecting with, narrative filmmaking. This course builds basic skills in video preproduction, videography techniques, sound, and digital video editing software. Students supply their own digital video camcorder. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.
The course provides students with a working knowledge of the fundamental principles, theories, and concepts of website design and UI/UX design. Students learn HTML and CSS coding, and are introduced to relevant web design software. Though there are no prerequisites, it is recommended that students take ARTS 140 and/or ARTS 319 before enrolling in this course.
- Core requirements 73 credit hours
- Total degree requirements 120 credit hours
Some courses you may take
This course is a figure drawing course using direct observation. It expands the figure drawing experience by using the figure as a compositional element and explores a variety of media and drawing techniques. Prerequisite: ARTS 425.
This course is designed for the advanced painting students to synthesize their own visual ideas and personal direction. Experimentation of medium, techniques and ideas is encouraged. Prerequisite: ARTS 232.
Continuation of ARTS 436. This course is designed for the advanced painting students to synthesize their own visual ideas and personal direction. Prerequisite: ARTS 436.
Introduction to printmaking and basic techniques in relief printing.
- Core requirements 73 credit hours
- Total degree requirements 120 credit hours
Some courses you may take
Beginning black and white film photography course that is the foundation for all photography courses at Columbia College. This course covers basic camera operations, exposure, film processing, darkroom printing, lighting, composition and print finishing. The course begins with an emphasis on understanding and practicing technical processes while investigating the creative and expressive possibilities of the medium. We will look at contemporary trends in the medium as well as movements throughout photography's history. There will be a number of photographic assignments, fieldwork, critiques and lectures as well as a research project. Students may supply their own adjustable 35mm SLR film camera (no digital cameras). Columbia College can also lend out cameras to students for the semester.
This course is an introduction to approaches and techniques in digital imaging. Students will learn the fundamentals of digital camera operation and a variety of creative techniques through a number of hands-on assignments, demonstrations and critiques. Composition, exposure control, focus and lighting techniques will be practiced as well as exploring thematic ideas and concepts. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom will be used to edit, adjust and manipulate images. Digital work-flow, printing and storage will also be practiced. Students will also gain experience working with large format photo printers and will learn how to make prints that are balanced in color, density and contrast. A digital portfolio, printed assignments and a book project will be created throughout the semester exploring the technical and aesthetic potential of digital photography.
This course investigates the history of photography from its inception in 1839 to the present day. We will look at the origins and inventions that led up to the chemical process of photography and examine the medium's development and technological advancements as well as the importance of photography as an art form. Through lectures, presentations, guest speakers, hands-on demonstrations, and viewing original photographs and equipment, students will gain a full understanding of the history of photography and the impact it continues to have on art, science, technology, and culture.
An introductory level course that explores the methods of digital video art making - primarily as a fine art form distinct from, but intersecting with, narrative filmmaking. This course builds basic skills in video preproduction, videography techniques, sound, and digital video editing software. Students supply their own digital video camcorder. Prerequisite: Sophomore standing.