The next time you reach for a tissue, you might see an uplifting message and cheery artwork on the box thanks to PSOA alum, Sarah McGinnis (BFA 2013, Art: Design & Visual Communication). Work by McGinnis is showcased in Target stores nationwide as a featured artist in an ongoing collaboration between …
Studio Art, BFA BFA
Transform your passion for art into a professional career. With our 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 student at Peck School of the Arts
When you study art at the 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. See for yourself what it is like to be a student here by scheduling a personalized tour and info session.
Program Details
Our Bachelor of Fine Arts 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 & 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
We don’t expect our new students to figure out college life on their own. Our First Year Program is designed to help new 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
UW-Milwaukee 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 the 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 & 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.
Alumni Stories in Art & Design
-
How alum Sarah McGinnis uses art to promote mental health awareness across the country
-
Alumni Spotlight: A “Top 10” Designer to WatchIn the dynamic world of graphic design, Naomi Dable stands as a testament to the power of creativity and an entrepreneurial spirit. As the proud owner of Naomi Paper Co., Naomi has been named a "Top 10 Designer to Watch" by an industry magazine.
Careers in Art & Design
- 3D Animator/Modeler
- Advertising Director
- Animator
- App Developer
- Arts Administration
- Art Critic/Writer
- Art Dealer
- Art Director
- Art Education Teacher
- Art Gallery Owner
- Art Historian
- Art Therapist
- Artisan Solutionist
- Artist In Residence
- Artists’ Agent
- Augmented Reality
- Blacksmith
- Caricature Artist
- Ceramicist
- Collage Artist
- Commercial Artist
- Community Artist
- Community Arts Organizer
- Consultant
- Costume Designer
- Creative Arts Officer/Director
- Creative Services Manager
- Cultural Relations
- Curator
- Design Manager
- Designer
- Digital Portrait Artist
- Director of Education & Community Engagement
- Display Designer
- Education Program Coordinator
- Educator
- Elementary/Secondary School Teacher
- Entrepreneur
- Exhibit Designer
- Fabricator
- Fashion Designer
- Fine Artist
- Fine Arts Director
- Floral Designer
- Font Designer
- Freelance Artist
- Furniture Designer/Restorer
- Game Designer
- Glass Sculptor
- Graphic Designer
- Graphic Artist
- Illustrator
- Industrial Designer
- Interactive Designer
- Interior Designer
- Jewelry Designer/Maker
- Lecturer
- Lighting Designer
- Makeup Artist
- Maker
- Marketing & Sales
- Metalsmith
- Mixed Media Artist
- Motion Graphics Artist
- Muralist
- Museum Director
- Museum Exhibit Designer
- Packaging Designer
- Painter
- Photo Editor/Retoucher
- Photographer
- Photographic Stylist
- Photographic Technician
- Printmaker
- Product Designer
- Production Artist
- Program Director/Coordinator
- Prop Maker
- Public Artist
- Public Relations
- Sculptor
- Set Designer
- Sketch Artist
- Stylist
- Technical Designer, Apparel
- Textile Designer
- Toy Maker
- University Administration
- University Faculty
- User Experience Designer
- User Interface Designer
- Video Game Designer
- Visual Merchandiser
- Visual/Special Effects Artist
- Web Based Curators
- Web Designer/Developer
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 follow the link below.
- Teaching Faculty II, Printmaking & Book Arts
- brinichl@uwm.edu
- Art Building 319
- Lecturer, First Year Program
- Lecturer, Writing & Critical Thinking
- Shop Technician, Printmaking & Book Arts
- Associate Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- Co-Area Head, Design & Visual Communication
- grame@uwm.edu
- 414-229-4258
- Art Building 291
- Assistant Professor, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Assistant Professor, Design & Visual Communications
- Area Head, Digital Fabrication & Design
- Teaching Faculty III, First Year Program
- Teaching Faculty III, Painting & Drawing
- Director, First Year Program
- Co-Coordinator, Hubei University of Technology
- Assistant Professor, 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
- Visiting Assistant Professor, Design & Visual Communication
- larsenw@uwm.edu
- Art Building 430
- Teaching Faculty III, Sculpture
- Teaching Faculty III, First Year Program
- Outreach 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
- 262-424-0701
- Art Building 358
- Associate Professor, 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, Photography & Imaging
- Co-Chair, Department of Art & Design
- 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, Painting & Drawing
- Area Head, Painting & Drawing
- piehl@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall 329
- Lecturer, Painting & Drawing
- Lecturer, First Year Program
- plunketj@uwm.edu
- Mitchell Hall 371
- Lecturer, Design & Visual Communication
- Faculty Advisor, AIGA UWM
- amryan@uwm.edu
- Art Building 417
- Professor, Creative Technologies / Mechanical Engineering
- Director, UWM Startup Challenge
- sternn@uwm.edu
- 414-477-9602
- Lubar Entrepreneurship Center 204
- 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
- Co-Chair, Department of Art & Design
- Area Head, Sculpture
- williagw@uwm.edu
- 414-229-6862
- Art Building B31
- Lecturer, Design & Visual Communication
- szweifel@uwm.edu
- 414-940-7615
- Art Building 417