The Department of Fine Arts at Haverford College delivers an immersive undergraduate experience in studio art, art history, and visual culture, combining critical inquiry with hands-on artistic practice through a curriculum rooted in collaboration, innovation, and social engagement. Renowned for its integration of theoretical and applied learning, the department fosters creativity across disciplines, supported by state-of-the-art facilities, access to Philadelphia’s cultural institutions, and partnerships within the Tri-College Consortium (Bryn Mawr, Swarthmore).

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Department of Fine Arts at Haverford College

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Academic Programs & Curriculum Structure

Students pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts with concentrations in either Studio Art or Art History, alongside interdisciplinary minors such as Visual Studies and Museum Studies. The curriculum emphasizes:

• Studio Art: Courses in painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, and digital media, with a focus on conceptual development and technical mastery.
• Art History: Chronological and thematic studies spanning global traditions, modernism, contemporary art, and critical theory.
• Cross-Disciplinary Electives: Courses intersecting with anthropology, environmental studies, and digital humanities, such as “Art & Ecology” or “Decolonizing Visual Archives.”

All majors complete a senior thesis project, which may include an exhibition, research paper, or hybrid presentation, mentored by faculty.

Facilities & Resources

The department’s facilities include:

• VCAM (Visual Culture, Arts, and Media): A 10,000-square-foot hub with digital labs, editing suites, and collaborative spaces for interdisciplinary projects.
• Sharpless Arts Center: Housing ceramics kilns, printmaking presses, and photography darkrooms.
• Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery: A campus exhibition space showcasing student work, faculty collaborations, and visiting artists.
• Lightbox Film Center: Dedicated to experimental film and video art, offering screenings and workshops.

Students also access resources at Bryn Mawr’s Rhys Carpenter Art Library and the Philadelphia Museum of Art via institutional partnerships.

Faculty Expertise & Mentorship

The department’s faculty includes practicing artists, published scholars, and curators, such as:

• Dr. Christina Knight: Specializing in African American visual culture and performance studies.
• Professor Hee Sook Kim: Noted for mixed-media installations exploring diaspora and memory.
• Dr. Matthew Feliz: Expert in Renaissance art and material culture.

Small class sizes ensure personalized mentorship, with frequent critiques, portfolio reviews, and research guidance.

Experiential Learning & Professional Development

Beyond the classroom, students engage with:

• Internships: Placements at Philadelphia’s Institute of Contemporary Art, Barnes Foundation, and Fabric Workshop.
• Study Abroad: Programs in Florence, Rome, and Kyoto, focusing on art history and studio practice.
• Tri-Co Opportunities: Cross-registration for courses like Swarthmore’s “Socially Engaged Art” or Bryn Mawr’s “Museum Ethnography.”
• Grants & Fellowships: Funding for independent projects via the Hurford Humanities Center or Center for Peace and Global Citizenship.

Exhibitions, Lectures, & Community Engagement

The department hosts annual events such as:

• Student Art Show: A juried exhibition at Cantor Fitzgerald Gallery, open to the public.
• Visiting Artist Series: Recent guests include sculptor Sarah Sze and photographer LaToya Ruby Frazier.
• Community Workshops: Collaborative projects with local schools and nonprofits, like mural painting or public art installations.

Alumni Pathways & Career Impact

Graduates pursue careers as curators, educators, conservators, and multimedia designers, with placements at institutions like the Met Cloisters, MoMA PS1, and Google Creative Lab. Others attend top-tier MFA or PhD programs at Yale, RISD, and Courtauld Institute of Art.

Emphasizing experimentation and critical dialogue, the Department of Fine Arts at Haverford College prepares students to navigate the evolving landscapes of art and scholarship, supported by a network of resources that bridge academic rigor with real-world creative practice.

Academic Programs Offered at Haverford College Fine Arts Department

Fine Arts Major (Bachelor of Arts)

The Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts offers two distinct concentrations, blending rigorous academic study with creative practice. Students declare a concentration in Studio Art or Art History by the end of their sophomore year.

• Studio Art Concentration: Focuses on developing technical proficiency and conceptual depth across media. Requirements include foundational courses (drawing, 2D/3D design), advanced studio electives (painting, sculpture, digital media), art history courses, and a senior thesis exhibition. Students complete 12 credits in studio courses and 4 credits in art history.
• Art History Concentration: Explores visual culture through historical, theoretical, and critical lenses. Requirements include surveys of Western and non-Western art, thematic seminars (e.g., “Gender in Renaissance Art”), and a senior research thesis. Students complete 12 credits in art history and 4 credits in studio or related disciplines.

Program Duration: Four years, with thesis projects completed in the final year. Cross-disciplinary coursework encouraged through the Tri-College Consortium.

Fine Arts Minor

Designed for non-majors seeking structured engagement with visual arts. Requires 6 credits, including:

• Two introductory courses (e.g., “Introduction to Studio Art” or “Global Art Histories”).
• Two intermediate-level courses in either studio practice or art history.
• One advanced seminar or studio elective.

Outcomes: Enhances critical analysis and creative problem-solving skills applicable to fields like education, architecture, or public humanities.

Art History Minor

Focuses on the historical and cultural contexts of art production. Requires 6 credits, including:

• Two foundational surveys (e.g., “Ancient to Medieval Art” or “Modern & Contemporary Art”).
• Two thematic seminars (e.g., “Art & Colonialism” or “Asian American Visual Culture”).
• One elective in museum studies or archival research.

Program Structure: Includes opportunities for object-based learning through partnerships with Philadelphia museums.

Visual Studies Minor

An interdisciplinary program analyzing visual culture across media, technology, and society. Requires 6 credits, such as:

• Core courses: “Visual Literacy” or “Theories of Representation.”
• Electives: Courses in film studies, digital humanities, or anthropology (e.g., “Documentary Photography & Ethics” or “Data Visualization”).
• Capstone project: A research paper or creative work synthesizing cross-disciplinary perspectives.

Outcomes: Prepares students for careers in media, curation, or cultural advocacy.

Special Programs & Opportunities

• Museum Studies Track: Available to all majors/minors, combining coursework in curation, conservation, and museum ethics with internships at institutions like the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
• Senior Thesis Projects: Required for majors; studio artists mount a public exhibition, while art history students produce a scholarly paper. Both include oral defenses evaluated by faculty.
• Tri-Co Philly Program: Semester-long immersion in Philadelphia’s art scene, with courses taught at city galleries, studios, and archives.
• Post-Baccalaureate Fellowships: Competitive year-long studio residencies for recent graduates pursuing MFA applications.

Program Duration: Special tracks integrate with standard four-year timelines, with fellowships extending beyond graduation.

Joint Programs & Cross-Registration

Students access expanded resources through partnerships with Bryn Mawr and Swarthmore Colleges, including:

• Tri-College Studio Art Courses: Advanced workshops in disciplines like glassblowing (Bryn Mawr) or social practice art (Swarthmore).
• Integrated Art History Seminars: Joint classes such as “Monumentality & Power” or “Digital Art History.”
• Bi-Co Digital Media Certificate: Combines Haverford’s studio courses with Bryn Mawr’s computational arts curriculum.

Structure: Courses count toward major/minor requirements; transportation between campuses provided.

Contact Information