
Art, B.F.A.
B.F.A. in Art
Inspire us. Grow. Create.Make your art. Make an impact.
Art is essential. A BFA from Penn State is the difference between you knowing that your art matters and the rest of the world knowing it, too.
Our internationally exhibiting and award-winning faculty are devoted to helping you grow your abilities, learn new skills, see in new ways, and find your true voice.
Earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art at Penn State
Are you ready for your next step? Take it with us.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program prepares students to be leaders in the contemporary art world. The degree features an intense, supportive studio culture, and broad access to the unparalleled resources of a Tier 1 university.
Students enrolled in the School of Visual Arts apply to the B.F.A. program between their second and fourth semesters. Entrance is awarded following a successful portfolio review.
Concentrations
With specialized resources and faculty, students will pursue a focused degree from the following concentration areas.
Next Steps
Is the B.F.A. in Art right for you?
Penn State’s Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program prepares students to be leaders in the contemporary art world.
You are a visual thinker who works with your hands, heart, and head. Artists earning this degree are creative makers and critical thinkers who shape our awareness about what is possible and, in doing so, change the way we see, experience, and understand our world. Students who earn this degree pursue careers as art directors, educators, and practicing artists.

Alumni Spotlight



alumni spotlight
Brian Kappel
Brian is a Portland, Oregon-based artist, graphic designer and a self-described “tinkerer.” After a more than 15-year career with Nike, he founded Space Monkey Designs, a firm that is responsible for numerous high-profile designs including VIP event space for ESPN, set design for the Dew Tour and the College Football Playoff suites.
Considering the B.F.A. in Art? Consider this.
Prepare yourself for a professional career and graduate studies in visual art.
- Be part of the diverse and vibrant Penn State culture.
- Exhibit your art in one of the SoVA galleries.
- Faculty are scholars and visual artists whose work is known nationally and internationally.
- Enjoy SoVA’s close-knit collaborative community.
Faculty Spotlight
See all Faculty

faculty spotlight
Cristin Millett
Straddling traditional disciplinary boundaries, SoVA Professor Cristin Millett’s investigations of medicine and its history are integral to her artistic process. Her toolkit of sculptural processes incorporates new advances in digital technology along with established methods of sculpture, such as stone carving and bronze casting. The resulting objects and installations prompt a contemporary cultural critique of societal issues surrounding reproduction and gender identity. Millett was awarded a Fulbright to the University of Western Australia in 2020.