TRAVEL & INTERNSHIPS

Most years, department faculty lead a 7-week study abroad during spring or summer term. Participating students have the opportunity to take art courses, experience a range of cultures and artistic traditions, make art and meet one-on-one with the lead professors. Alumni of the department have traveled all over the world with the study abroad program. Most recently, students have studied in Italy, Morocco, Spain, Germany, and Tibet.

Although directed by faculty from the Department of Art, the study abroad is open to students across the university.  Interested students should submit an application during the fall semester preceding the study abroad program.

The Summer Intensive Program offers advanced art students the opportunity to produce self-directed, independent projects under the close mentorship of faculty members. Participating students enroll in ART 394R (Special Projects) and ART 480R (Advanced Studio) during summer term, and are required to log at least 20 hours of studio time each week, facilitated through unconventional workspaces. Thursday and Friday classes provide time for instruction, critiques and field trips, which sometimes extend into the weekend. Past field trips have included travel to many of Utah’s unique landscapes and iconic land art sites, as well as road trips to Los Angeles and Seattle to explore contemporary museums and galleries.

Each Fall, a large group of BYU art students and faculty mentors travel to New York City for the annual department field trip. The primary goal for this journey, which spans four to five days, is for students to engage with contemporary art in a major art center while also deepening their understanding of the history of art. Faculty members accompany students to museums, providing valuable context for the work on view. In addition, students are often able to visit working artists’ studios and the campuses of prospective graduate schools while in New York City.  Applications open early each Fall semester, and are shared with students via email and social media.

Art students have the opportunity to participate in a range of internships around the globe. These mentored learning environments provide valuable hands-on experience with artists and art-related institutions. Students receive university credit for completing an internship and fulfill degree requirements while progressing toward graduation. Faculty facilitate internship opportunities and serve as mentors for art interns throughout their experience. Many BFA and MFA students have had the opportunity to work closely with faculty mentors as they were placed with prominent artists in Berlin, Vienna, Ireland and Los Angeles, including David Thorpe, Kirsi Mikkola, and Elizabeth Huey. Students who are interested in completing an internship should speak with a potential faculty mentor to discuss options for funding support. Interested students can check out the Department's Internship Syllabus for more information.

Every winter semester, Art Education and Licensure students travel to the Utah Art Education Association (UAEA)  and the National Art Education Association (NAEA) conventions.  The department provides funding for student housing and travel, while student are responsible for the costs of conference registration. These conferences allow students to attend workshops, network with other educators, and to explore arts and museums in southern Utah and all over the country.

Applications to participate in one or both conferences are due November 15th of each year. Current Art Education BA, MA, Minor, and Licensure students can apply here.

Our faculty actively seek opportunities to collaborate with students in small mentored groups, sometimes in coordination with artists visiting campus for short periods of time or similar groups from other universities. Examples of past mentored projects include MCLA-BYU Riverworks, a curated exhibit at Spring/Break Art Fair, collaborations with multiple museums in Mesa, AZ, and print exchanges with other universities, including the University of Hawaii.