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Department Summary

Welcome to the Art Department at Bradley University. Our comprehensive studio and art history program which is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, is known for excellence in both traditional media and new technologies. The BA/BS degree programs combine a career orientation with a sound liberal arts education. The BFA program is a selective studio-intensive program that prepares students for entry to graduate school or to professional practice. The Graduate program's MFA is the only terminal degree program at the university and is indicative of Bradley's commitment to the Arts.

The Art Department is housed in the 33,000 sq. ft. Heuser Art Center that is equipped with high-speed wireless internet and state of the art studios in Ceramics, Painting, Printmaking, Drawing, Photography, Graphic Design and a professional exhibitions program. The department also houses the nationally known Cradle Oak Press, a professional printmaking collaborative that brings renowned artists to Bradley to work together with students and faculty.

As faculty we are committed to the idea that art is an intellectual as well as manual skill-based disciplined. Our students are trained to recognize the significance of tradition and contemporary criticism on their identities as artists and designers. We also pay tribute to the history of visual culture in the central portion of the United States and the contribution that Inland Art has made on national and global art discourse.

- Paul Krainak, Chair

The Department of Art is uniquely structured to provide opportunities to develop as a professional artist, art historian or communication design professional. The department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Enrollment

  • Art Majors: 160 as of Fall 2009
  • Art Minors: 53 as of Fall 2009
  • The Department of Art offers a graduate program in studio arts, Interdisciplinary students, and visual communication and design.

Portfolio

  • No Portfolio is required for freshman admission to the Art Department for BA/BS degree programs
  • A portfolio is required for transfer admission from another 2-year or 4-year institution, or for transfer to the art degree program from another department in the university.
  • A portfolio is required for admission into the BFA degree program. Deadline for art talent scholarships application for fall is October 1 and spring is March 1. Contact the Department of Art at 309-677-2963 or visit the web site for additional information

Typical freshman schedule of classes

Fall:

  • Art 101 – Drawing
  • Art 105 – Two Dimensional Design
  • Art 140 – Survey of Art History
  • 6 hours of University General Education requirement

Spring:

  • Art 102 – Drawing II
  • Art 106 – Three-Dimensional Design
  • Art 142 – Survey of Art History
  • IM 113 – Introduction to Interactive Media
  • University General Education requirement

Computer Recommendations

Many students find it useful to have personal computers. It is strongly recommended that majors in Graphic Design, Photography and Interactive Media have a Mac with expanded memory. All academic buildings in the College of Communications and Fine Arts are equipped with wi-fi Internet service. The college has many well-equipped labs and classrooms, many available 24/7 to students via a secure swipe-card access.

Facilities

The Art Department occupies the Heuser Art Center, a 33,000 square foot facility with fully equipped studios and a gallery space. The facility is home to a ceramic studio with high and low fire kilns, a sculpture room with its own bronze foundry, and graduate and undergraduate painting, printmaking and photography studios.