The Department of Art and Art History affirms the power of art to transform individuals and society
In 2010, the Department of Art and Art History moved to its 170,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art facility, the Visual Arts Complex located at the heart of the CU campus near downtown Boulder. With nearly 1000 undergraduate art majors and 50 graduate students, the department is a vibrant community of students, artists, and scholars.
Faculty members are highly active in their respective fields, from publishing important articles and books on theory and historical to contemporary art, to presenting their research in national and international conferences, exhibiting in galleries and museums, and participating in film and video festivals, as well as establishing non-traditional artist venues and opportunities. The faculty are also committed teachers and mentors who work closely with both undergraduate and graduate students, helping them to realize their individual visions as artists and art historians.
The Undergraduate Program
Explore the Art & Art History undergraduate program
The Department of Art and Art History offers majors and minors that allow students to explore their interests and refine their skills in Art History, Ceramics, Sculpture and Post-Studio Practice, Printmaking, IMAP (photography, digital media, video, integrated arts) and Painting & Drawing.
CU Boulder has a rich culture for cultivating undergraduates as emerging scholars, artists and practicing researchers. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) provides consultation services, informational workshops, and grants to promote undergraduate research as a high-impact learning practice for student success. Each year UROP funds hundreds of students who produce new knowledge and creative work in partnership with CU's world-class faculty.
Undergraduates may pursue the following degrees:
- BA in Art History
- Bachelor’s-Accelerated Master’s Program (BAM) in Art History
- BA in Art Practices
- BFA in Art Practices
- Minor in Art History
- Minor in Art Practices
More about our Bachelor of Fine Arts Program:
The Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree program offers advanced studio study to a limited number of highly motivated and talented students. The BFA student may choose one area of studio emphasis or an interdisciplinary focus where two or three studio areas are represented. Admission will be l limited not only in terms of capacity but also to ensure the type of record, motivation and the passing of a portfolio review. Upon failure to pass a second BFA Portfolio Review, students will complete a BASA degree.
Eligible students must have completed 30 hours of Art & Art History credit. It is strongly recommended for students to apply before reaching 45 credits in the major.
Application Deadline:
October 15 — Fall semester
March 15 — Spring semester
The Post-Baccalaureate Program:
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. During their time at CU, post-bac students develop lasting professional relationships with their peers and faculty, relationships that often continue to influence their work as artists throughout their professional careers.
Application Deadlines
April 15 — Fall semester
November 15 — Spring semester
The Department of Art and Art History offers over $20,000 in merit-based awards for undergraduate and graduate students that are made possible through the generosity of donors.
Requirements include creating an independent research project and presenting it for oral defense. Departmental Honors requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3. For General Honors, the Honors Program offers special seminars for students whose G.P.A. is 3.3 or higher as part of the General Honors requirements. Students interested in graduating with honors should contact their departmental representative during their Junior year. The Honors Program application information including deadlines and additional details can be found at Arts & Sciences Honors Program.
Art & Art History Department contacts are:
Robert Nauman (Art History) or Marina Kassianidou (Art Practices)
If you are interested in applying to this program please contact your department representatives at the beginning of your junior year.
The Arts & Sciences Honors Program is located in Norlin Library, M400M
Art & Art History Department:
Jean Goldstein
Administrative Assistant
Jean.Goldstein@Colorado.edu
303.492.3580, Office VAC, #330
Art & Art History Undergraduate Advisors:
Sarah Matsuda
Art & Art History; Film Advisor
sarah.matsuda@colorado.edu
303.492.1439, office VAC #304
Rick Seydel
Art & Art History; Classics; Humanities; Philosophy Advisor
richard.seydel@colorado.edu
303.492.7076, office VAC #305
Apply Today! Request for Information — Undergraduate Program
The Graduate Program
Ranked 23rd best program in the nation! — US News and World Report, 2023
Students who are accepted into our graduate programs join the University of Colorado-Boulder Graduate School, which serves the broader graduate student community, faculty, and staff, at one of the nation’s premier comprehensive research universities. The Graduate School offers guidance on a wide array of academic, social, and financial issues, and can assist in navigating the often complex world of graduate education. Serving as an umbrella organization since 1892, the Graduate School currently oversees 100 graduate and professional programs. The Graduate School works to guarantee a standard of quality and cohesion across all disciplines, ensuring the continuing integrity and value of a CU-Boulder graduate degree. The Graduate School also helps make possible the many connections between the campus and outside constituencies, in the state, the nation, and the world.
The Graduate Information Session provides prospective graduate students with a broad overview of CU Boulder’s graduate program offerings, opportunities for CU Boulder graduate students and helpful resources for graduate students across the disciplines.
Application Deadline
January 3 — Domestic applicants
December 1 — International applicants
Questions? Please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator, art.grad@colorado.edu