WHY BYU?
According to BYU's stated aims; "A BYU education should be spiritually strengthening, intellectually enlarging, and character building, leading to lifelong learning and service." In the spirit of this ethos, the Department of Art is a vibrant community of artists, educators, and scholars working together to teach and mentor students in thinking critically, believing deeply, and making art with integrity.
Besides this unique mission, The BYU Department of Art has unique opportunities and resources to offer its students.
LOCATION
Nestled at the base of Utah’s Wasatch mountain range, BYU’s location allows students to give full attention to their work and fosters the kind of focused engagement that brings significant artistic growth. All of this is done in the vibrant environment of the university and the picturesque mountain setting where outdoor activities such as skiing, mountain biking, snowshoeing, hiking, camping, kayaking, and rafting can be reached within minutes.
RESOURCES & FACILITIES
As a large nonprofit research university, BYU affords its students a variety of supplemental and GE courses, access to a world-class research library, and an interdisciplinary Honors program. In addition to these university resources, the Department of Art offers opportunities for students to develop a highly individualized program of study. With an average class size of 15-18 students, courses in the Department of Art are highly personalized and allow students to develop a close community with their faculty mentors and fellow students. Students have access to department resources and facilities and have the opportunity to take classes across multiple disciplines or specialize deeply in one area.
TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES & VISITING ARTISTS
Although the campus is somewhat secluded in the intermountain west, students are able to take advantage of numerous and regular department-sponsored trips to visit New York City, Los Angeles, western monumental earthworks, and other art destinations in the United States and abroad. Recent Art Department study abroad opportunities include Berlin, London, Italy, Morocco, Spain, Iceland, Nepal, and many others. Visit this link to find out more about the various travel oppportunities we offer. Another way in which the Department of Art connects to the larger art world is in our vigorous Visiting Artist Lecture Series, offered as a seminar course every fall and winter semester. This course brings out dozens of regional, national, and international artists, curators, and critics to speak and conduct studio visits with the students. These perspectives, contacts, and input are crucial for our students' artistic development.
TUITION & FUNDING
BYU is one of the most affordable private universities in the United States. Tuition is highly subsidized and many students in the Department of Art receive scholarships and grants during their time in the department.
COMMUNITY
The Department of Art values community, and encourages students to collaborate and form lasting connections and friendships. The effects of this can perhaps be best expressed by former students:
I loved having critiques with the different students in my cohort, as well as friends that I made that had already graduated from BYU. Once you get a taste for having an ecosystem of people outside of your own mind to talk about your work, you just want more of that.
The Art Education Program was like a really welcoming family. It felt like a place where I could grow a lot and then also use those tools to turn around and help someone else.
I enjoyed the energy and support of the other students. I especially enjoyed the faculty. They were very supportive of me and my journey as I was learning and growing. It was a very happy time — and it changed my life.