Art Practice

Undergraduate Program

Introduction to the Major

The Art Practice major provides technical and conceptual training in most traditional and new media: painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture (wood, metal, ceramic, and mixed media), digital photography, installation, performance, social practice, video, sound, and selected classes in animation, game design, and comics. Art Practice majors are expected to round out the required studio courses with Art History and theory classes.

The Art Practice Department seeks to graduate students who demonstrate an original vision in their approach to practice, form, and content and who have the potential for significant artistic and cultural impact.

“Art does not supply easy answers, and yet it plays a crucial role in how we act in and with the world.”

Al-an deSouza, Art Practice Professor

Coursework in Art Practice

  • Studio practice courses with frequent feedback foster a supportive and responsive community, creative momentum, and collaborative thinking.

  • Great student/faculty ratios allow for individual attention and support.

  • Art history, theory and innovation courses complement studio courses.

  • Most upper division studio courses involve exhibiting work and considering questions of audience, distribution, context, site, and timing.

Amplify Your Major

  • Gain experience in art exhibitions, galleries, and libraries with the Art Practice Internship Program

  • Join CREATE and serve as an arts teacher to local schools and community organizations. 

  • Attend the artist lecture series to hear from artists visiting Berkeley. 

  • Apply to the Art Practice Honors Studio, a shared studio space for Art Practice Major seniors doing outstanding work.

Four-Year Student Timeline

First Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Second Year

Explore Your Major

  • Apply to the major once you have completed (or are enrolled in) a lower division Art History course and two required lower division studio courses (including ART 8).

  • Finish remaining lower division prerequisites

  • Review major guidelines for study abroad.

Connect and Build Community

  • Sign up for the Art Practice email list and start attending department events

  • Get to know professors and graduate student instructors during their office hours.

  • Explore art practice work spaces in the Anthropology and Art Practice Building and Wurster Hall.

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Third Year

Explore Your Major

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

Fourth Year

Explore Your Major

  • Enroll in the senior project studio course ART 185 , as well as ART 119 Global Perspectives (if not completed already).

  • Do a degree check to ensure you are on track to graduate.

  • Complete “bucket list” courses and remaining major, college, and campus requirements

Connect and Build Community

Discover Your Passions

  • Teach your own DeCal course

  • Undertake an optional honors thesis or independent study.

  • Keep pursuing your interests through a fellowship or gap year after graduation.

Engage Locally and Globally

Reflect and Plan Your Future

What Can I Do With My Major?

Jobs and Employers

  • Animator
  • Art Archivist
  • Art Director
  • Art Educator
  • Artist
  • Art Preparator
  • Art Consultant
  • Art Therapist
  • Ceramicist
  • Creative Director
  • Computer Graphics Artist
  • Exhibition Designer
  • Gallerist
  • Graphic Designer
  • Graphic Artist
  • Graphic Novel Artist
  • Illustrator
  • Media Strategist
  • Museum Curator
  • Painter
  • Performance Artist
  • Photographer
  • Printer
  • Product Designer
  • Public Art Administration
  • Sculptor
  • Studio Fabricator
  • UI/UX Designer
  • Video Producer
  • Web Designer
  • XR Designer

Examples gathered from the First Destination Survey of recent Berkeley graduates.

Learn More

Connect With Us

Cal Day

Come to Berkeley’s annual Open House in April for information sessions, campus tours, special talks, and more.

Golden Bear Orientation

Join your peers in the campus-wide UC Berkeley orientation program for all new students.

Events

Attend department events with students, staff, and faculty. Visit art.berkeley.edu for news and updates.

Advising

Onisha Barham

Student Services Advisor

345 Anthropology & Art Practice Building

obarham@berkeley.edu

Advising Hours:

See Onisha’s  staff page on the Art Practice website for up-to-date scheduling information.

How to Use this Map

Use this map to help plan and guide your experience at UC Berkeley, including academic, co-curricular, and discovery opportunities. Everyone’s Berkeley experience is different and activities in this map are suggestions. Always consult with your advisors whenever possible for new opportunities and updates.