The intent of our interdisciplinary program is to enable Visual Arts students to explore every conceivable form of visual expression. Students majoring in Visual Arts at Columbia University is provided with instruction in the tools and techniques necessary for the production of art while enhancing their creative, critical and analytic voice. Whether choosing to concentrate in Drawing, Painting, Sculpture, Photography, Printmaking or Video, or embracing an artistic practice that incorporates any combination of these disciplines, the emphasis is on developing a student’s personal vision.

Our majors benefit from working under the guidance of a distinguished full-time and adjunct faculty, all of whom are active visual artists with national and international reputations.

What makes your school’s art & design programs different & unique from other art & design school programs? What are the top 3 program features that make your program stand out?

Columbia University is a great choice for students looking for an exceptional liberal arts education.  Columbia’s unique Core Curriculum provides undergraduates at the College with a common basis for conversation shared by all students regardless of their major, as well as the strong foundation for informed creativity as they focus on Visual Arts.  This lays the groundwork for Visual Arts classes where diverse ideas and rigorous critical dialogue thrive as they are fostered by our world-class visual arts faculty.

Our undergraduate Visual Arts majors take a two-semester ‘Senior Thesis’ class during their senior year, in which they are provided with individual or shared studio space to develop their own studio practice and the chance to exhibit their work in their final semester.  The proximity of our renowned MFA program in Visual Arts also provides invaluable opportunities: to foster mentor relationships with our MFA candidates and to attend weekly presentations by respected artists at our MFA’s Visiting Artist Lecture Series.

Can students take courses in other schools?

Yes.  Columbia values a diversity of ideas and encourages students to take classes in different areas of study.  The Core Curriculum reflects this philosophy and requires students to engage in a variety of classes that cover subjects in different fields.  We believe that this breadth of academic exploration only enriches the conversation as students focus on their interest in Visual Arts.

What steps do you take to evaluate a student’s candidacy, apart from reviewing their creative portfolio?

Admissions are not done through individual departments so although Visual Arts faculty do review supplemental art portfolios submitted with applications, the admissions process is administered through Columbia College.

What does your program look for most in the creative portfolio during admissions? What do you think makes an A+ portfolio? 


Exhibiting a strong foundation in observational drawing is important for a strong portfolio, and students who submit the most successful and exciting portfolios are ones who also exhibit exceptional skill and execution as well as the use of compelling concepts and ideas. It is this combination that makes for an A+ portfolio.

How are new technologies affecting students’ curriculums and/or ways of learning/collaborating at your school? 


A unique opportunity exists for SVA students to work in Boston University’s Engineering Project and Innovation Center (EPIC). This is a pioneering facility for fabrication that offers laser cutting, 3d printing, robotic manufacturing and more.

How does your program help graduating students with internships or jobs? Can students expect job placement more at your program than in others? If so, how or why? What kinds of job opportunities have you seen students take once they completed their degrees?

Our students graduate with a rigorous education that prepares them for a wide range of career opportunities.  Graduates from our program have gone on to pursue further studies, including MFA programs in Visual Arts, to work in galleries, museums and other art-related institutions, to teach art at all levels and to be professional artists. 

Columbia’s Center for Career Education works in collaboration with academic departments to support students by providing access to internships and jobs on an annual basis, career counseling appointments, and employer connections.  Our students benefit greatly from being in NYC, where they have a wealth of opportunities to connect with premier organizations and people in the arts and other industries.  The connections available to our graduates as they become part of a thriving network of alumni are especially valuable.

All of this together gives our students an unparalleled foundation upon which to build a vibrant career.Are there any exciting developments for your programs that students should know about?

A new and exciting initiative has been our Arts Leadership Minor.  This minor is for any student at Boston University who feels that the arts have a greater role in society and can be an agent of social change.  The minor in Arts Leadership is designed to provide students with the practical and strategic skills to become leaders in the arts. Course selection is intentionally flexible in order to serve not only a broad constituency but also to allow students to hone leadership and thinking skills in particular areas of interest, including arts entrepreneurship, arts administration, and arts activism. The College of Fine Arts recognizes that artists and creative thinkers need practical preparation for a life in the arts. As natural problem-solvers, artists are already well suited as agents of social change and possess the potential to also be dynamic leaders. The Arts Leadership minor provides students with the tools and skills to put ideas into action.

What is the most distinguished feature at your school?

Our students get a lot of personal attention: we have a hands-on, caring faculty and the relatively small number of Visual Arts majors means that students are part of a tight-knit community with high professor-to-student ratios.  Going to school in New York gives our students access to incredible resources including the opportunity to tap into a deep and vibrant network of alumni who are active in every aspect of the art scene here. 

What is the best advice you have for students entering the art, design & architecture field? What role does the artist play today?

Experiment. Take risks. Question everything. See the largest picture. Cherish and develop your own artistic voice as opposed to copying others.

Interviewed by Nicola López Asst. Professor, Director of Undergraduate Studies - Visual Arts

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Common application

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

Up to 20 digital images 
Slideroom 

WRITING SAMPLE

Common App questions 

TRANSCRIPTS

Required

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

1 Counselor Recommendation
2 Teacher Evaluations  

APPLICATIONS DEADLINES

Early Decision: Nov 1
Regular Decision: Jan 1

FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

TOEFL: minimum 600 (paper-based test) or 100 (Internet-based test)
IELTS: minimum 7.0

*If you have a 650 or higher on the Critical Reading or Writing sections of the SAT, or a 29 or higher on the English or Reading sections of the ACT, you are exempt from taking an English proficiency examination.

*Columbia welcomes applications from international transfer students. However, in order to be eligible to apply as a transfer, you must first meet certain criteria. You must be enrolled in a college in North America or in a US-style college abroad. Applicants from China:  Columbia recommends that applicants attending high school in China schedule admissions interviews with InitialView. Interviews must be scheduled, completed and submitted to Columbia by December 1 for Early Decision or February 1 for Regular Decision

TIPS:

Architecture: There is no specific number of submissions that need to be included.

Digital Media: Portfolios should include at least one drawing or painting as well as any other work that highlights your talent.  All forms of media are welcomed. Limit your selection to 5-12 pieces, or a maximum of 5 minutes worth of video.

Fine Arts: Portfolios should include a minimum of 10 different works.  Uploading an artist’s statement of approximately 300 words is strongly encouraged.

ALUMNI

Jonathan Allen, Artist
Martin Basher, Artist
Hilary Berseth, Artist
Rochelle Feinstein, Artist
Julia Goldman, Artist
Paul Heyer, Artist
Stephen Hilger, Photographer
Ajay Kurian, Artist
Margaret Lee, Artist
Eric Lindman, Artist
Nicola López, Artist
Joe Maida, Artist
Alisa Margolis, Artist
Chloe Piene, Artist
Aurora Robson, Artist
Tom Sanford, Painter
Greg Parma Smith, Artist
Emma Sulkowicz, Performing artist
Beau Willimon, Playwright

DID YOU KNOW?

93% of the students admitted for Fall 2014 came from the top 10 percent of their high school graduating class. The middle 50% of scores, as well as the median scores, on each of the three SAT components, are as follows:

Reading: 680 to 780
Math: 700 to 790
Writing: 700 to 790

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