Program Overview

Art Foundation Program

The Art Foundation Program at Virginia Commonwealth University is designed to provide students with a comprehensive foundation in the visual arts. The program offers a range of courses that explore the history and development of art, as well as the fundamental principles of drawing, design, and visual organization.

Course Offerings

• ARTF 115: Art History Survey: A survey of the history and development of the visual arts within the contexts of history, geography, politics, religion, economics, and the broad social and personal aspects of human culture. (3 hours, 3 credits)
• ARTF 116: Art History Survey: A continuation of ARTF 115, exploring the history and development of the visual arts within the contexts of history, geography, politics, religion, economics, and the broad social and personal aspects of human culture. (3 hours, 3 credits)
• ARTF 121: Introduction to Drawing: An introduction to the fundamentals of freehand drawing with an emphasis on representational drawing skills, perception, and traditional drawing materials. (2 hours, 2 credits)
• ARTF 131: Drawing Studio: A studio-based course that explores the historical principles of drawing and their relevance in contemporary practice. (3 hours, 3 credits)
• ARTF 132: Surface Research: A studio-based course designed to cultivate a student's ability to create and comprehend two-dimensional imagery. (3 hours, 3 credits)
• ARTF 133: Space Research: A studio-based course that comprehensively investigates three-dimensional phenomena in fine art and design. (3 hours, 3 credits)
• ARTF 134: Time Studio: A studio-based course that focuses on time-based media such as film, video, and sound. (3 hours, 3 credits)
• ARTF 138: Project Seminar: A seminar on a selected issue, topic, or skill in the fields of fine art and design. (1-2 hours, 1-2 credits)
• ARTF 139: Project Studio: A studio on a selected issue, topic, or skill in the fields of fine art and design. (1-2 hours, 1-2 credits)
• ARTF 150: Pre-Art Foundation Studio: A beginning studio course emphasizing the fundamental issues of art and design. (4 hours, 4 credits)
• ARTF 160: Pre-Art Foundation Drawing: A beginning drawing course offering intense exposure to the basic skills of figure and perspective drawing. (4 hours, 4 credits)
• ARTF 191: Topics in Foundation Studies: A seminar or studio on a selected issue, topic, or skill in the field of foundation studies. (1-4 hours, 1-4 credits)

Program Requirements

Enrollment in certain courses is restricted to first-year fine arts and design majors in the School of the Arts. Some courses have prerequisites, such as the completion of ARTF 115 to enroll in ARTF 116. Students in the Pre-Art Foundation Program are required to take specific courses, such as ARTF 150 and ARTF 160.