Drawing and Painting

Career potential

The UNT College of Visual Arts & Design (Formerly School of Visual Arts) is one of the nation's largest art programs at a public institution and considered one of the best in the Southwest. The school is divided into three divisions: studio art, design and art education/art history. The drawing and painting concentration is in the division of studio art. The program's curriculum emphasizes creativity and self-expression.

The drawing and painting concentration will prepare you to become a self-employed artist or to pursue a master of fine arts degree. Self-employed artists show and sell work in galleries, museums and a variety of other venues. The M.F.A. degree is an intensive program for those who wish to further develop their art. The M.F.A. degree also can open teaching opportunities at the college and university levels.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Drawing and painting

As a drawing and painting student, in addition to studying drawing and painting, you will learn about art appreciation, art history, design, printmaking and other studio arts. You will have access to well-equipped studios and instruction in a wide range of techniques.

Drawing and painting students spend a lot of time in studio classes creating original works, studying aspects of the field and learning to critique their peers and their own work in different art contexts.

A portfolio is not required for admission to the program, but transfer students may need to submit one for placement beyond beginning level classes. After you complete 6 hours of intermediate painting, your portfolio is reviewed by the drawing and painting faculty. You may be invited to participate in a junior exhibition after your review. Before graduation, usually during your last senior painting class, you will have an exit review that includes an exhibition featuring art work from all graduating seniors.

The drawing and painting faculty members are accomplished artists who are active and respected participants in the professional art world. Each faculty member exhibits their artwork nationally and internationally and travels extensively to maintain a current and high status in their field.

The 90,000-square-foot Art Building at UNT includes classrooms, a computer lab, faculty offices, studios, a workshop, the UNT Art Gallery and a visual resources library. Four other campus buildings house additional classrooms and laboratories, as well as the Texas Fashion Collection and the Cora Stafford Gallery.

Getting hands-on experience

As a drawing and painting student in the studio art program, you will get a great deal of hands-on experience in your classes. Drawing and painting students will have opportunities to exhibit their work in competitions that are judged by professional artists. In addition, you can show your work on campus and at local and regional galleries.

UNT is within easy commuting distance of Dallas and Fort Worth, where major art museums and galleries provide valuable resources and experiences for students.

Upon completion of 12 semester hours at UNT with at least a 2.5 GPA, you may apply for a job related to your major through UNT's office of Cooperative Education and Internships. You may earn academic credit and money and gain valuable work experience. Co-op employers pay extremely well, and the jobs usually last several semesters, often until graduation.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science - economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine Arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits.

Charting your path with academic advising

New students are required to attend an orientation to the College of Visual Arts & Design (Formerly School of Visual Arts), which is held at about the same time as university orientation or during registration at the start of each semester. Check with the university admissions office for a schedule of freshman and transfer student orientations.

Faculty members serve as the primary advisors to students. The College of Visual Arts & Design (Formerly School of Visual Arts) Student Services Office is in the Art Building, Room 111.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.