The Art Department at UC Riverside offers a range of courses for the undergraduate student who is interested in active participation in a world where communication is increasingly visual. The curriculum provides a broad-based engagement with creativity and innovation through experimental and interdisciplinary approaches to visual manifestations of ideas and self-expression. Instruction is non-vocational and follows the goals of critical thinking and exploration appropriate to the research institution of the University of California through courses covering a variety of contemporary art practices including painting, sculpture, photography, video and digital media. The program does not provide training in task-specific commercial arts as one would find at a trade school and is most appropriate to students who have a deep interest and commitment to the visual arts. However, in a world where the venues of visual expression and communication are growing exponentially, creativity and skills of visual articulation can have significant vocational value in a range of applications. Choosing a major in the Art Department at UCR, students will find a faculty of successful and dedicated working artists with international reputations and deep commitment to education, excellent technical facilities, and a welcoming community of like-minded individuals.
In addition to students pursuing Art majors, dual majors and minors, the department also welcomes the participation of non-majors and non-degree students.
Admission: Admission to the Major in Art requires electronic submission of a portfolio consisting of ten (10) images of your original work and/or three (3) clips of moving images or sound work. Guidelines for the portfolio and a link to the site for submission can be found on the art department website at https://art.ucr.edu/. Students whose portfolios are approved will be admitted to the major. Guidelines for submission are also available from Undergraduate Admissions and from the Department of Art.