Photo by Grace DuVal
Interdisciplinary Freedom
Why You’ll Have No Major
A hybrid practice that crosses traditional disciplines is the foundation of some of the most dynamic contemporary creative work—and it’s at the heart of SAIC’s approach to educating emerging artists and designers. Our program is built for you to experiment across boundaries, immerse yourself in the ideas that interest you and intersect in your work, and develop a practice that is entirely your own.
Try Everything
When you’re free to experiment with the media that best express your ideas, you make new discoveries about how you can use materials, as well as in your thinking. You might collaborate with other students across disciplines. If you entered SAIC as, say, a painter, you might discover you’re actually a sculptor, or someone who sculpts with paint. The possibilities are limitless.
- Explore robotics and sound to invent a new instrument.
- Combine sculpture, ceramics, and fiber arts to create new installations.
- Merge your interests in drawing and printmaking to create graphic novels.
- Collaborate with a writer to make an animated film.
How It Works
You’ll have more than 1,000 courses to choose from each semester, so you can construct your own experience across disciplines. Your dedicated advisor will help you find your way as you explore possibilities, spending time with you and your work, and guiding you toward the courses and opportunities that will expand your practice.
A Grounding in Contemporary Practices
During your first year at SAIC you’ll test the ideas that drive contemporary art practices. This foundational course will expose you to diverse modes of making and a dynamic range of methodologies, along with conceptual thinking and artistic research.
Undergraduate Degree Programs
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The Bachelor of Arts in Art History draws on the depth and diversity of offerings in the scholarly study of art practices that only a major art school connected with a world-class museum can offer. The international networks for contemporary art are an important part of the course offerings, and we offer a wide range of classes in Asian, African, Latin American, European, and North American Art. Substantial coursework in Art History, supported by additional coursework in Liberal Arts and in studio departments define the course of study.
Review the Bachelor of Arts in Art History curriculum and degree requirements. Note: This is information for the current academic year. Any future curricular changes will be made when the new catalog is published.
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The Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies degree program at SAIC allows you to pursue in-depth academic study in the creative environment of an art school. During your work, you will draw connections between the visual arts and history, philosophy, psychology, and the natural sciences.
Review the Bachelor of Arts in Visual and Critical Studies curriculum and degree requirements. Note: This is information for the current academic year. Any future curricular changes will be made when the new catalog is published.
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The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education program educates students to become teachers of art, design, and visual culture while continuing to strengthen their own artmaking practices. SAIC's Art Education community supports students in becoming engaged and reflective teacher artists whose pedagogical work fosters the emergence of more just and joyous individuals and societies.
Review the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education curriculum and degree requirements. Note: This is information for the current academic year. Any future curricular changes will be made when the new catalog is published.
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The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing degree at SAIC emphasizes a process-based approach to creative writing—one in which students experience writing across genre and in interdisciplinary and hybrid modes. Fully integrated into SAIC’s studio departments, you will explore the relationship between language and visual art by connecting writing to comics, graphic novels, artist’s books, painting, performance, film, sound, and gallery installations.
Review the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Writing curriculum and degree requirements. Note: This is information for the current academic year. Any future curricular changes will be made when the new catalog is published.
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The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree provides you a broad education that balances thinking and making, academic rigor, and experimental play. The BFA curriculum integrates academic and studio education—the classroom and the studio inform and enhance each other.
Review the Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio curriculum and degree requirements. Note: This is information for the current academic year. Any future curricular changes will be made when the new catalog is published.
ArtBash
SAIC celebrates the work that first-year students have created with a major year-end art show of works in all media. ArtBash kicks off with an opening reception featuring Inter-Action—a showcase of live performance and ephemeral works.
Recent Undergraduate Work
Take in a student show at SAIC, and you’ll see a lot of work created outside the boundaries of any specific medium—work that melds making and meaning in unique ways.
