BFA IN PAINTING
2023-2024 | Curriculum | 4-year program
After RISD's required year of Foundation Studies, sophomores entering the program are introduced to basic concepts and techniques that foster the development of a personal visual vocabulary. Juniors continue to expand and strengthen their visual and technical skills through studio work that allows for in-depth exploration of content and meaning.
FOUNDATION YEAR | ||||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
15 | 3 | 15 | ||||||
SOPHOMORE | ||||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||||
Painting I | 6 | Non-major Studio Elective [b] | 3 | Painting II | 3 | |||
Drawing I | 3 | Drawing II | 3 | |||||
Fundamentals: Painting Methods & Materials | 3 | Prehistory/Contemporary Art | 3 | |||||
Liberal Arts [a] | 3 | Liberal Arts [b] | 6 | |||||
Total CREDITS | 15 | TOTAL CREDITS | 3 | TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | |||
JUNIOR | ||||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||||
Painting III | 6 | Non-major Studio Elective [b] | 3 | Painting IV | 6 | |||
Painterly Prints (take in Fall or Spring) | 0 or 3 | Painterly Prints (take in Fall or Spring) | 0 or 3 | |||||
Liberal Arts [b] | 3 | Contemporary Art & Criticism | 3 | |||||
Elective [b] | 3 or 6 | Liberal Arts [b] | 3 | |||||
Non-major Studio Elective [b] | 0 or 3 | |||||||
Total CREDITS | 15 | TOTAL CREDITS | 3 | TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | |||
SENIOR | ||||||||
FALL | WINTERSESSION | SPRING | ||||||
Painting Workshop | 3 | Color Workshop [a] or Non-major Studio Elective [b] | 3 | Degree Project | 6 | |||
Experiments in Drawing [a] Color Workshop [a] Digital Tools [a] Professional Practice [a] | 3 | Experiments in Materials [a] Color Workshop [a] Paint to Film [a] Critical Curating [a] | 3 | |||||
Elective [b] | 3 | Elective [b] | 3 | |||||
Liberal Arts [b] | 3 | Liberal Arts [b] | 3 | |||||
total CREDITS | 15 | TOTAL CREDITS | 3 | TOTAL CREDITS | 15 | |||
Total Credits: 126 | ||||||||
Notes:
[a] Students must take two of the following courses: Professional Practices (Fall), Experiments in Drawing (Fall), Digital Tools (Fall), Case Studies in Contemporary Art (Spring), Critical Curating (Spring), Experiments in Materials (Spring), Paint to Film (Spring), Color Workshop (Fall/Wintersession/Spring). Usually, one course is taken in Fall and one in Spring.
[b] Choose a Liberal Arts, Major or Non-Major Studio Elective, depending on unfulfilled degree requirements and class availability.
The Liberal Arts requirement is 42 credits, of which only 30 credits are show above (assuming successful completion of 12 credits in the First-year Program of Study). To fulfill the Liberal Arts requirement, courses may be taken during Wintersession or the Fall or Spring semesters, as scheduling and interest permits. Consult your Academic Advisor, the Liberal Arts Office or the Registrar for additional information. Although some Non-major Studio Electives are listed for Wintersession, they may be taken in the Fall or Spring semester. Similarly, the Liberal Arts shown in Fall or Spring, may be taken during Wintersession, as scheduling and interest permit. Consult your Academic Advisor, the Liberal Arts Office or the Registrar for additional information.
The Non-major Studio Elective requirement is 12 credits. Elective courses are to be selected in consultation with your Department Head or Academic Advisor. For Painting Majors, some course offerings within the department may count for Non-major Studio Elective credit. See your Academic Advisor for more information.
The Liberal Arts and Non-major Studio Elective degree requirements must be satisfied to earn the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.