University of Denver School of Art & Art History delivers an immersive, interdisciplinary education through its Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art History, Emergent Digital Practices, and Studio Art, alongside Master of Arts (MA) degrees in Art History and Arts & Culture with a Museum Studies concentration, fostering creativity, critical analysis, and technical innovation within Denver’s dynamic cultural ecosystem. Renowned for blending traditional methodologies with cutting-edge digital tools, the school emphasizes experiential learning, global perspectives, and collaborative engagement, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and partnerships with leading cultural institutions.

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University of Denver

School of Art & Art History

Academic Programs & Interdisciplinary Opportunities

The School of Art & Art History offers a diverse curriculum designed to prepare students for evolving roles in the arts. Undergraduate and graduate programs include:

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• BA in Art History: Explores global art movements, critical theory, and visual culture, with courses spanning ancient to contemporary eras, including non-Western and Indigenous perspectives.
• BA in Emergent Digital Practices: Integrates art, technology, and design through courses in interactive media, digital fabrication, and computational creativity, encouraging experimentation with AR/VR, coding, and multimedia installations.
• BA in Studio Art: Focuses on painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, and ceramics, emphasizing conceptual development and technical mastery through critique-driven studio courses.
• MA in Art History: Prepares students for academia or curation through advanced research, thesis projects, and opportunities to curate exhibitions at the Vicki Myhren Gallery.
• MA in Arts & Culture: Museum Studies: Combines coursework in museum ethics, collection management, and exhibition design with internships at institutions like the Denver Art Museum and History Colorado Center.

Minors in Art History, Studio Art, and Emergent Digital Practices allow students to complement majors in fields like anthropology, computer science, or business.

Facilities & Creative Resources

The school’s facilities foster innovation and collaboration:

• Shwayder Art Building: Houses painting studios, a woodshop, and the Vicki Myhren Gallery, a professional exhibition space where students showcase their work.
• Victoria Hall: Features advanced digital labs, 3D printers, laser cutters, and a photography darkroom, supporting cross-disciplinary projects in Emergent Digital Practices.
• Nancy Benson Memorial Art Library: Offers specialized collections in art history, visual culture, and digital arts, alongside archival resources.

Faculty Expertise & Mentorship

The faculty comprises practicing artists, published scholars, and museum professionals whose work influences contemporary discourse. Professors actively exhibit in galleries, contribute to journals like Artforum, and lead public art initiatives. Small class sizes ensure personalized mentorship, with students often collaborating on faculty research or community-based projects.

Experiential Learning & Partnerships

Students gain practical experience through:

• Internships: Partnerships with the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, Clyfford Still Museum, and Denver Botanic Gardens provide hands-on roles in curation, education, and conservation.
• Study Abroad: Programs in Florence, Berlin, and Tokyo integrate art history coursework with site-specific studio projects.
• Community Engagement: Initiatives like the DU Public Art Program enable students to design installations for Denver’s urban spaces.

Alumni Success & Professional Networks

Graduates pursue careers as curators (Denver Art Museum), educators (Denver Public Schools), studio artists (RedLine Contemporary Art Center), and creative directors (Pixar Animation Studios). The school’s alumni network connects students to internships, residencies, and grants, while annual portfolio reviews feature critiques from professionals like MCA Denver’s chief curator.

Location & Cultural Access

Nestled in Denver, Colorado, the school leverages its proximity to the Rocky Mountains and a thriving arts scene. Students engage with galleries in the Santa Fe Arts District, attend lectures at the Denver Performing Arts Complex, and draw inspiration from the region’s natural landscapes. Denver’s growth as a tech and innovation hub also creates opportunities in digital arts and cultural entrepreneurship.

Admissions & Financial Support

The school prioritizes diverse, passionate applicants. Undergraduate applicants may submit portfolios for scholarship consideration, while MA candidates present writing samples or project proposals. Merit-based scholarships, graduate assistantships, and travel grants for research/conferences are available. Federal work-study programs fund roles in campus galleries or art labs.

Prospective students can explore the School of Art & Art History through virtual tours, open studio events, or by contacting faculty directly via the official website.

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art History

• Structure: Four-year, full-time program requiring 48 credit hours in art history, including courses in global art traditions, critical theory, and visual culture.
• Key Courses: Topics include Ancient Mediterranean Art, Modern & Contemporary Art, Indigenous Art of the Americas, and Museum Ethics.
• Experiential Learning: Curatorial projects at the Vicki Myhren Gallery, internships at Denver Art Museum, and study abroad programs in Florence or Berlin.
• Outcomes: Prepares graduates for roles in museums, galleries, education, or advanced study in art history or cultural heritage.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Emergent Digital Practices

• Structure: Four-year program blending art, technology, and design with 52 credit hours, including core courses in coding, digital fabrication, and interactive media.
• Key Courses: Creative Coding, Augmented Reality Studio, BioArt, and Physical Computing.
• Facilities: Access to Victoria Hall’s digital labs, 3D printers, laser cutters, and motion-capture technology.
• Outcomes: Careers in digital media production, UX/UI design, game development, or graduate studies in digital arts.

Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Studio Art

• Structure: Four-year program with 60 credit hours in studio practice, including foundational courses in drawing, sculpture, and photography, followed by advanced electives.
• Key Courses: Oil Painting, Ceramics, Printmaking (screenprinting, lithography), and Installation Art.
• Exhibition Opportunities: Senior thesis exhibitions at Shwayder Art Building’s gallery spaces.
• Outcomes: Professional studio artists, educators, or preparation for MFA programs.

Graduate Degree Programs

Master of Arts (MA) in Art History

• Structure: Two-year, 45-credit program with thesis or non-thesis tracks, including seminars in historiography, global contemporary art, and archival research.
• Specializations: Options to focus on Renaissance Art, Modern & Contemporary Art, or Indigenous Art.
• Thesis/Capstone: Original research projects or curated exhibitions, often presented at academic conferences.
• Outcomes: Careers in academia, curation, arts administration, or doctoral programs.

Master of Arts (MA) in Arts & Culture: Museum Studies Concentration

• Structure: Two-year, 48-credit program combining coursework in museum management, collections care, and exhibition design.
• Key Courses: Museum Ethics, Digital Archiving, Grant Writing, and Public Engagement Strategies.
• Internships: Required placements at institutions like History Colorado or Denver Botanic Gardens.
• Outcomes: Roles as museum curators, registrars, educators, or cultural nonprofit leaders.

Undergraduate Minors

Minor in Art History

• Requirements: 20 credit hours, including surveys of Western and non-Western art, plus upper-level electives.
• Complementary Majors: Ideal for students in anthropology, history, or international studies.

Minor in Studio Art

• Requirements: 24 credit hours across drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital media courses.
• Facilities Access: Studio space in Shwayder Art Building and Victoria Hall.

Minor in Emergent Digital Practices

• Requirements: 20 credit hours in digital design, interactive media, and computational art.
• Collaboration: Cross-disciplinary projects with computer science or business majors.

Certificate Programs

Certificate in Museum Studies

• Structure: 18-credit graduate certificate open to MA students or professionals seeking museum training.
• Courses: Collections Management, Exhibition Development, and Museum Education.
• Outcomes: Enhances credentials for roles in curation, conservation, or museum leadership.

For admissions criteria, course catalogs, or faculty advisement, visit the School of Art & Art History’s programs page.

Contact the School of Art & Art History at University of Denver:

Address:

School of Art & Art History

University of Denver

Shwayder Art Building

2121 E. Asbury Ave.

Denver, CO 80208

Phone: 303-871-2846