School of Visual Arts
You belong here
Our challenging undergraduate and graduate programs span Studio Art, Digital Arts and Design, and Art Education. We also offer online courses tailored to diverse learners. SoVA’s internationally recognized, award-winning faculty are dedicated to learning, research, and educational imagination. Visual thinkers, creators, shapers, and educators – you belong here.
Contact + Connect
Undergraduate
Degrees + Certificates
B.A. in Art
The B.A. in Art offers visual artists the opportunity to find their artistic voices in an environment that fosters individuality and prepares graduates for an impactful career in the arts.
B.F.A. in Art
The BFA prepares visual thinkers who work with hands, heart, and head to be leaders in the contemporary art world.
B.S. in Art Education
The B.S. in Art Education degree program produces highly skilled art educators who inspire future generations to embrace art and its power to effect social change.
B.Des. in Digital Arts and Media Design
The B.Des. in Digital Arts and Media Design is on the cutting edge of a rapidly growing discipline that prepares students to develop digital technology in art, gaming, simulations, web-based design, and much more.
B.Des. in Digital Multimedia Design
The wholly online B.Des. in Digital Multimedia Design program prepares students to impact the ever-changing visual art, information science and technology, and communications digital media landscape.
B.Des. in Professional Photography
The B.Des. in Professional Photography prepares students to realize the power of photography while training them to professionally capture the beauty and complexity of the world.
Digital Arts Certificate
Blend classroom and online learning in this 15-credit certificate program that will help you develop artistic knowledge and technical skills that can be applied across industries and professions.
Graduate
Degrees
M.F.A. in Art
The Penn State M.F.A. in Art offers concentrations in ceramics, drawing and painting, graphic design, new media, photography, printmaking, and sculpture – all to elevate your art and impact.
M.S. in Art Education (+Dual M.S.)
The M.S. in Art Education and Dual M.S. in Art Education + Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at Penn State explore the making of art and curriculum as the making of ideas that matter.
Ph.D. in Art Education (+Dual Ph.D.)
The Ph.D. in Art Education – plus the Art Ed + African American and Diaspora Studies and Art Ed + Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies dual-title degrees – position you to make a lasting impact on the art education profession.
Alumni Spotlight
Penn State gave me the opportunity to explore the many career paths available in the film industry.
Alumni Spotlight
Caleb Yoder
B.Des. in Digital Arts and Media Design 2016A student internship with DreamWorks Animation led Caleb Yoder to a full-time videographer position with the company following his graduation. Caleb spent eight months as a videographer before moving to the DreamWorks TV division, where he worked as a production assistant and production coordinator on Harvey Street Kids. As a Schreyer Scholar, Caleb graduated with highest distinction, serving as college marshal for the College of Arts and Architecture. Caleb now is assistant animatic editor at DreamWorks.
Zoller Gallery
Located on the entrance level of the Visuals Arts Building, the Edwin W. Zoller Gallery is a 2,200 square foot exhibition space. Founded in Learn More
DArt Design Studio
The DArt Design Studio computer and peripheral labs are available 24 hours a day to the entire DArt community, and are primarily for student Learn More
HumpDay Gallery
The HumpDay Gallery is a student-run organization which provides its undergraduate members with hand-on experiences in curating, installing, and hosting gallery shows. HumpDay prides Learn More
SoVA Ceramics Studio
Adjacent to the Visual Arts Building, the ceramics studio provides instructional and work space for ceramics students and houses the kilns that finish the Learn More
SoVA Wood & Metal Shop
The Visual Arts Building Wood and Metal Shop is an exceptionally well-equipped and maintained facility located on the 1st floor of the Visual Arts Learn More
Faculty Spotlight
"Light," a Ben Radatz/Brian Alfred collaboration.
Brian Alfred
Associate Professor of Art
Brian Alfred received a B.F.A. from Penn State in 1997, studied at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Skowhegan, Maine, and received an M.F.A. from Yale University in 1999. He has had numerous solo exhibitions in locations ranging from New York City to Tokyo to London, as well as group exhibitions nationally and internationally. He is the host of the podcast “Sound and Vision,” featuring conversations with contemporary artists, which recently celebrated its 200th episode. His work is in the collections of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Denver Art Museum, and San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, among others.
Sep 26
Junior Voice Recital: Bernadette Bratina
UP: Music Academic CalendarWatch Online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnierEVRDNM
Events
Go. Explore.Together, Alone
UP: Music I 130 Recital Hall
NOMAS Faculty & Student Stuckeman Meet + Greet
News from A&A
Shepherd opens solo exhibit in New York
Rudy Shepherd's "Calling all Gods" exhibit open through Oct. 16
Shepherd opens solo exhibit in New York “Calling all Gods,” a solo exhibition by Rudy Shepherd, Penn State School of Visual Arts associate professor, is open to the public at
SoVA announces virtual Anderson Endowment Lecture Series for fall 2020
The Penn State School of Visual Arts announces its fall 2020 lineup for the John M. Anderson Endowed Lecture Series, which will be presented via Zoom. Read More
Art education doctoral candidate published in two issues of 'Art Education'
Luke Meeken, a doctoral candidate in art education in the School of Visual Arts at Penn State, has published two articles in 'Art Education,' the journal of the NAEA. Read More