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Ready to pursue your passion for art? Apply now to the Department of Art & Art History at the University of Colorado Boulder. Located in the vibrant Denver-Boulder metro area, our program offers unmatched opportunities to engage with a thriving arts community, participate in diverse artistic endeavors, and connect with leading artists throughout the West. Join us and turn your creative ambitions into reality!
Graduate Program in Art Practices & Art History
Contemporary Art, Latin American Art (Pre-Columbian & Colonial Latin American), Latinx Art, African Diasporic/Visual Studies, History of Asian Art
Ceramics, Film, Painting & Drawing, Printmaking, Integrated Media Arts Practices (video, photography, digital arts), Sculpture & Post-Studio Practice
The Ph.D. in arts of the Americas emphasizes the cross-cultural circulation of visual culture in the Americas from ancient to contemporary times.
Recognizing the relevance of business education in many fields, the Leeds School of Business and the Department of Art & Art History jointly offer a dual degree program.
Application Deadlines
December 15 — International applicants
January 15 — Domestic applicants
As a prospective graduate student, you are required to submit an application to the Graduate School. Be prepared to submit program-specific supplementary materials for your concentration with your graduate application.
Funding
The Art & Art History Department offers generous funding packages that include stipends and tuition remission through teaching assistantships (TAs), graduate assistantships (GAs), and graduate part-time instructor positions (GPTIs).
Please also visit the Graduate School funding web page for more detailed information.
Contact
Questions about the Art & Art History Graduate Degree Program should be directed to art.grad@colorado.edu
CU Boulder Graduate School
The mission of the Graduate School is to facilitate and enhance the educational experiences of all graduate students and to guarantee a standard of quality and cohesion across all disciplines, ensuring the continuing integrity and value of a CU Boulder graduate degree. Currently overseeing more than 120 graduate programs, the Graduate School is responsible for planning, implementing and evaluating graduate programs and graduate education policies and procedures.
The academic calendar is the main resource for important dates and deadlines for all things related to course registration, add/drop, withdrawing, financial aid, Colorado Opportunity Fund, tuition and bill due dates, and requirement documentation.
"CU Bouder's MFA program gave me the time, the necessary resources and all possible support to develop and mature as an artist. I really appreciated the interdisciplinary nature of the program, as we were able to take any course that we were interested in and interact with other MFA students from painting, ceramics, art history, etc. during graduate seminars. The relationships I built with my fellow graduate students have turned into lifelong friendships and these people are now my collaborators, colleagues and closest friends."
Yana Payusova, MFA, 2006
"Graduate school was a rich time for me, all I did was work in the studio, read, and hang out with new friends from the graduate school. I had meaningful conversations and felt immersed in a rigorous practice. I spent a lot of time thinking about what art is, and how it can be a part of my life. I was invigorated by the visiting artists, professors, and other students dedicated to making art. I laid the foundation for a lifelong studio practice, expanded my understanding of historical and contemporary art, and started the process of becoming a professional artist."
Judd Schiffman, MFA, 2015
Undergraduate Degree Program in Art Practices & Art History
Welcome to the Art & Art History Department!
Prospective students applying to the Department of Art and Art History apply to the University of Colorado Boulder and are placed in the Bachelor of Arts degree program in either Art History or Art Practices at the time of admission. There is no portfolio required at the time of admission to CU. Some programs will require a portfolio when you declare that you will be pursuing a BFA (typically during your third year of study). Refer to the Office of Admissions for more information about the admissions process.
The Office of Undergraduate Education develops and oversees first-year seminars and first-year interest groups; coordinates undergraduate academic policy; coordinates the campus advising structure; and is responsible for the coordination and assessment of campus retention and persistence initiatives.
Your undergraduate arts practices degree starts with our incredible Foundations Art Program. Get started today!
Contact & Support
If you have questions about degree requirements for the undergraduate degrees offered through the Department of Art & Art History please be in touch with your academic advisor. You can also visit the A&S Academic Advising and Coaching.
Department of Art & Art History
Our main office is on the 3rd Floor of the Visual Arts Complex
Email: finearts@colorado.edu
Application Deadlines
First-Year Students:
October 1 — Spring Semester
November 15 — Fall & Summer early action deadline
January 15 — Fall & Summer regular decision deadline
Transfer Students
We are glad that you are considering transferring to the University of Colorado Boulder. Each year, top students from around the world find their place at CU Boulder. With our outstanding academic programs, excellent faculty and a diverse community of students, you will find unique and engaging opportunities on campus and in Boulder. Information is located within the transfer student menu on the admissions page.
International Students
International students should visit the International Admissions for specific admissions requirements and documentation.
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is committed to supporting international students and scholars and their dependents. Take a moment to explore the ISSS mission & vision statements, values, services, and community.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities Grant
Undergraduates Haley Hyde and Matthew Vivirito created the Mobile Interdisciplinary Networking Exhibition (M.I.N.E.) to bring art out of a museum and into the community.
Undergraduate Degrees
The art history program teaches students how to analyze art within many contexts, including historical, intellectual, cultural, political, social and stylistic.
The BA in art practices allows students to explore their interests and refine their skills in ceramics, integrated media arts practices, painting and drawing, printmaking, and sculpture and post-studio practice.
The BFA degree in Art Practices is a more specialized degree in studio art. It allows you to take a higher number of courses through the Art & Art History Department. Choose this degree if you want to create a personal portfolio, attend graduate school, want a career directly related to the arts, or are interested in pursuing a teaching career at the college level.
Application deadlines:
October 15th — Fall semester
March 15th — Spring semester
Our Post-Baccalaureate option is for artists who have finished their undergraduate degree and would like additional time and space to develop work while immersed in a dynamic community of artists. The post-bac option is a non-certificate program and does not qualify for financial aid.
Application deadlines:
November 15 — Fall semester
April 15 — Spring semester
Make plans to visit in person!
Visit the Department of Art & Art History
We are centrally located within the Visual Arts Complex (VAC) on the main campus of the University of Colorado Boulder
Address: Visual Arts Complex
1085 18th Street, UCB 318, Boulder, Colorado 80309
Main Office: 303-492-3580
Email
We also invite you to request more information from the Office of Admissions about the CU Boulder community and what we have to offer.
Visit The CU Boulder Campus
Interested in visiting Boulder and the University of Colorado campus? There are several opportunities throughout the year and the Admissions Department has the information you are seeking. The University of Colorado Boulder is located in sunny Boulder, Colorado—located 30 miles northwest of Denver. The Boulder area offers a wide array of activities ranging from hiking and biking to shopping, amazing dining, and entertainment. We hope you are able to explore the community of Boulder while you are visiting the campus. Plan your visit today!