Mike Driscoll, a Peck School of the Arts alum and teacher at Bay View High School, has been named one of five national recipients of the 2025 Harbor Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teaching Excellence. The award includes $100,000 to support Driscoll’s continued impact on students through hands-on learning …
Studio Art, BFA BFA
Transform your passion for art into a professional career. With our Studio Art BFA program, you are supported in your creative pursuits as you refine your skills and prepare to make your mark in the art world. And you won’t be alone. We are a strong community of artists.
Artists like you need an arts-intensive college experience that prepares them for a dynamic career. That’s why our program focuses on instilling in every student the practical, hands-on knowledge of materials and fabrication techniques necessary to cross boundaries, invent processes and explore innovative content in studio disciplines such as Ceramics, Creative Technologies, Design, Digital Fabrication, Fibers, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Painting & Drawing, Photography & Imaging, Printmaking & Book Arts, and Sculpture.
Program Type
Major
Program Format
On Campus
What it’s like to be a studio art major at Peck School of the Arts
When you study studio art at UW-Milwaukee Peck School of the Arts, you have access to fully equipped studios, a woodshop, state-of-the-art discipline-specific facilities, and project spaces for collaborative work. Inspiring exhibition spaces and a wide array of guest artists combine to serve as endless inspiration to your education. You’ll also work closely with faculty mentors and collaborate with peers in a variety of creative projects, both on campus and in Milwaukee’s vibrant arts community.
But don’t take our word for it. Experience for yourself what it is like to be a student here by scheduling a personalized tour and info session.
Studio Art BFA Program Details
Our Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio Art program is a pre-professional degree focusing on studio practice and research, preparing you to become successful studio practitioners and professionals in the arts. From the First Year Program coursework through the senior capstone project, you are encouraged to explore a wide variety of studio practice.
During your sophomore year, you’ll choose between the two BFA Studio Art degree plans: Single Discipline Focus and Dual Discipline Focus.
Art & Design Studio Disciplines
Led by expert artist faculty, our art and design studio disciplines are content areas that provide focus to your creative research, practice and degree. We offer the following studio disciplines: Ceramics, Creative Technologies, Design, Digital Fabrication, Fibers, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Painting & Drawing, Photography & Imaging, Printmaking & Book Arts and Sculpture.
First Year Program in Art & Design
We don’t expect our new students to figure out college life on their own. Our First Year Program is designed to help new art and design students. In addition to specific coursework carefully chosen to foster success, we connect students to the many resources and opportunities found within a research university. Plus, we surround students with individualized support as they dive deeper into their program and find their way.
Scholarships & Aid
UWM and Peck School of the Arts offer a diverse financial aid package for students, including Midwest residence savings, scholarships, grants, work-study opportunities and student loans.
Living Learning Communities
Live in campus housing on the same floor or wing as other students in your major or program. The Peck School of the Arts offers three Living Learning Communities where you can be a part of a “community within a community.” You’ll make friends, form study groups and do social activities together. And, best of all, there is no additional cost to be a part of a Living Learning Community.
Artists Now! Guest Lecture Series
Throughout the fall and spring semesters, the Artists Now! Guest Lecture Series welcomes a diverse group of nationally and internationally recognized artists working across traditional, hybrid and emergent disciplines. Join us to explore and expand boundaries of creative visual practices alongside others with an interest in contemporary visual art.
Galleries & Exhibitions
Our art and design programs host many galleries and exhibitions both on campus and throughout the community. Our campus is home to four permanent art galleries, each with its own unique mission. All of them are free, open to the public and accessible for everyone to enjoy.
Milwaukee is also home to dozens of galleries and museums. All students in an art and design degree program receive a free annual membership to the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM). That means you can visit MAM and its events, including the popular MAM After Dark series, free of charge while you are a student.
Internships & Opportunities
Students work and intern professionally with Milwaukee’s leading art museums and galleries, creative agencies, corporations and nonprofits. They also find internships across the country and beyond. Discover where your education can take you. Learn more about internships and opportunities.
Student Organizations & Clubs
Meet like-minded people in a wide variety of student organizations and clubs who inspire creativity and will support your aspirations. Collaborate and create, network with professional artists, and deepen your connection with faculty, mentors and fellow students outside of the classroom.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Art & Design Alumni Stories
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Art education alum recognized nationally for impact in skilled trades education
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TikTok creator and UWM alum Geo Rutherford reconnects with her alma mater for Artists Now! lectureGeo Rutherford (MFA 2021, Art) is an artist, author, and TikTok creator with more than 1.8 million followers. She’s best known for her viral series Spooky Lake Month and for using her platform to share stories about the Great Lakes and environmental sustainability. On October 15, Rutherford will engage with …
Art & Design Careers
- 3D Animator / Modeler
- Advertising Director
- Animator
- App Developer
- Art Critic / Writer
- Art Dealer
- Art Director
- Art Gallery Owner
- Art Historian
- Art Therapist
- Artisan Solutionist
- Artist in Residence
- Artists’ Agent
- Arts Administrator
- Augmented Reality Designer
- Blacksmith
- Ceramicist
- Commercial Artist
- Community Artist
- Community Organizer
- Consultant
- Costume Designer
- Creative Services Manager
- Curator
- Design Manager
- Designer
- Director of Community Engagement
- Educator
- Entrepreneur
- Exhibit Designer
- Fabricator
- Fashion Designer
- Fine Artist
- Floral Designer
- Font Designer
- Freelance Artist
- Furniture Designer / Restorer
- Game Designer
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Artist
- Illustrator
- Industrial Designer
- Interactive Designer
- Interior Designer
- Jewelry Designer / Maker
- Lighting Designer
- Makeup Artist
- Marketing & Sales Director
- Metalsmith
- Mixed Media Artist
- Muralist
- Museum Director
- Packaging Designer
- Painter
- Photographer
- Photographic Stylist
- Photographic Technician
- Printmaker
- Product Designer
- Production Artist
- Program Director / Coordinator
- Prop Maker
- Public Artist
- Public Relations Director
- Sculptor
- Set Designer
- Sketch Artist
- Stylist
- Technical Designer, Apparel
- Textile Designer
- Toy Maker
- User Experience / User Interface Designer
- Visual Merchandiser
- Visual / Special Effects Artist
- Web Designer / Developer
Studio Art BFA Program Faculty
Which faculty you have within this program is dependent upon your chosen courses or interests. For a list of all Art & Design faculty and staff please click the button below.
- Teaching Faculty II, Printmaking & Book Arts
- brinichl@uwm.edu
- Art Building 319
- Teaching Faculty II, Jewelry & Metalsmithing
- Teaching Faculty II, BA Capstone Instructor
- Program Coordinator, Hubei University of Technology (HBUT)
- charlejm@uwm.edu
- 262-472-5708
- Art Building
- Professor, Fibers
- Graduate Program Representative, Art & Design
- Area Head, Fibers
- cho@uwm.edu
- Art Building 478B
- Lecturer, Photography & Imaging
- Lecturer, First Year Program
- escobaja@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall B84
- Associate Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
- grame@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4258
- Art Building 430B
- Associate Professor, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Associate Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Area Head, Digital Fabrication & Design
- hawk@uwm.edu
- Art Building 430B
- Teaching Faculty III, First Year Program
- Teaching Faculty III, Painting & Drawing
- Director, First Year Program
- Co-Coordinator, Hubei University of Technology
- Professor, Jewelry & Metalsmithing
- Area Head, Jewelry & Metalsmithing
- yk@uwm.edu
- Art Building 358
- Assistant Professor, Creative Technologies
- Area Head, Creative Technologies
- kryzhani@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 551
- Teaching Faculty II, Printmaking & Book Arts
- Teaching Faculty II, Community Arts
- Teaching Faculty II, Writing & Critical Thinking
- Assistant Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- larsenw@uwm.edu
- 817-805-3409
- Kenilworth Square East 545
- Teaching Faculty III, Sculpture
- Teaching Faculty III, First Year Program
- Outreach Coordinator, Art & Design
- Living Learning Community Coordinator, Art & Design
- martinke@uwm.edu
- 414-251-7910
- Art Building 316
- Teaching Faculty II, Jewelry & Metalsmithing, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Studio Technician, Safety Coordinator, Jewelry & Metalsmithing
- Department Technician, Art & Design
- meierea@uwm.edu
- Art Building 358
- Associate Professor (on sabbatical 2025-26), Printmaking & Book Arts
- Area Head, Printmaking & Book Arts
- meuninck@uwm.edu
- 414-229-3753
- Art Building 319
- Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
- lmoline@uwm.edu
- Art Building 417
- Associate Professor (on sabbatical 2025-26), Photography & Imaging
- Area Head, Photography & Imaging
- mougel@uwm.edu
- 414-251-6296
- Mitchell Hall B84
- Lecturer, Painting & Drawing
- Lecturer, First Year Program
- amoneill@uwm.edu
- 414-251-9234
- Mitchell Hall 329
- Associate Professor (on sabbatical fall 2025), Painting & Drawing
- Co-Chair, Department of Art & Design
- Area Head, Painting & Drawing
- piehl@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall 329
- Lecturer, Painting & Drawing
- Lecturer, First Year Program
- plunketj@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall 371
- Lecturer, Printmaking & Book Arts
- Lab Technician, Printmaking & Book Arts
- tcromero@uwm.edu
- Art Building 319
- Lecturer, Design & Visual Communication
- Faculty Advisor, AIGA UWM
- amryan@uwm.edu
- Art Building 417
- Professor, Creative Technologies / Mechanical Engineering
- Co-Chair, Department of Art & Design
- Director, UWM Startup Challenge
- sternn@uwm.edu
- 414-477-9602
- Lubar Entrepreneurship Center 204
- Teaching Faculty II, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Technician, Digital Fabrication & Design
- vivirito@uwm.edu
- Kenilworth Square East 368
- Teaching Faculty II, Printmaking & Book Arts
- Teaching Faculty II, First Year Program
- First Year Program & Retention Coordinator, Art & Design
- wagnerlm@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall 371
- Associate Professor, Sculpture
- Area Head, Sculpture
- williagw@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6862
- Art Building B31
