Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) Application Requirements
Following are conditions that must be met before students can apply for the BFA program (after first declaring admission to BA program*):

  1. Completion of:
    • LANG 120 – Academic Writing and Critical Inquiry (4)
    • ART 122 – Two-Dimensional Design (4)
    • ART 133 – Three-Dimensional Design (4)
    • ART 144 – Foundation Drawing (4)
    • 12 additional hours of studio art courses at the 200 level or above
  2. Applicant must have a minimum 3.0 GPA in Art courses completed to the application date. This does include Art History courses.
  3. Consideration for the BFA program includes the ability of the student to perform at a mature and competent level. The faculty will take this into consideration when evaluating the student's application for the BFA.
  4. Application for BFA is scheduled only once per semester. Information will be posted on the website and bulletin boards in advance of the application date.
  5. BFA Application Process
    • A student who has completed the requirements listed above and is interested in applying for the BFA must meet with their academic advisor. The advisor will determine if the student is academically eligible and if the student's work is at an appropriate level to apply for the BFA. If so, the advisor will send the student to the faculty member who is coordinating the BFA application review to register for the next review. The coordinator will work with the student and the art office assistant for set up location and will advise the faculty where the student’s artwork will be.
    • Applicants will provide unofficial transcripts showing their GPA. The format for the application statement (listed below) and the criteria for applying (as listed here) are available either from the advisor, the art office or online. Applicants may consult with their media concentration advisors, but each student is responsible for gathering all the required information and preparing their application.
    • The BFA applicant must submit a portfolio of ten to fifteen pieces of original artwork. Only work completed at UNC Asheville is accepted for the BFA application. The portfolio should include the candidate’s best work to date.
    • The BFA applicant is required to prepare an artist’s statement that addresses the following topics:
    1) Why did you choose these specific pieces for your portfolio?
    2) How does this body of work give you ideas for your Senior Exhibition?
    3) What are your ideas for your future work?
    4) Provide a self-evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses.
    • The artist’s statement should be ready by the date specified on the call for applications (usually the week before the review), and a copy should be provided to each faculty member either by email or hard copy (preferably both).
    • In addition to the artist’s statement, students must provide a list of Art and Art History courses they have taken. This list is separate from the unofficial transcript and is part of the application materials provided at the Portfolio Review.
    • The applicant must show some indication of competency within a specific field, but it can be broadened with exceptional work from other areas. There should be some sense of direction that the student is going — this direction can change later. Students should include their journals or sketch books with their applications in order to show some evidence of proficiency in drawing. Work should also demonstrate a sense of inventiveness or interpretation in the assignments.
    • Although a 3.0 grade point average is required in all Art courses taken prior to the BFA application, it in no way guarantees entry into the program. The final decision is made by portfolio approval.
    • The BFA applicant is responsible for setting up their portfolio before and breaking down the portfolio after the review. The applicant is not present during the faculty review.
    • The faculty admits or declines entry into the BFA program. The Department Chair will provide the candidate with written notification of the decision regarding acceptance into the program.
    • When admitted to the BFA program, the candidate must then complete a Change of Major form, obtain the appropriate signatures, and file the form with the UNC Asheville Registrar. The form may also be obtained from the department office (or the Registrar’s Office.
    • If a negative decision is made, the candidate may schedule an interview with the faculty. If requested, the faculty will provide reasons why the portfolio was initially unacceptable and what steps are necessary to improve the portfolio for re-application. If, after the discussion with the faculty, the candidate feels they can reach the BFA standards, the candidate may reapply the following semester. The re-application procedure is the same as the initial application.
    • While enrolled in ART 490, all students accepted into the BFA program will present another portfolio of artwork for faculty review in the later part of the semester, the “Candidacy Review”. There are three possible outcomes for this review: 1) The student passes the review and continues in the BFA program. 2) The student does not pass the review and may complete the requirements for the major in BA studio art by taking part in the BA Senior Group Exhibition. 3) The student passes the review, but on a probationary basis and required to take ART 492 after ART 491.
    • Students in the probationary status will be required to complete ART 492 in addition to ART 490 and 491. While enrolled in ART 491, students on probation will present a portfolio of artwork for faculty review in the later part of the semester, the “Candidacy Re-review”. If the faculty determines a student should not continue in the BFA program, the student’s final option is to complete the requirements for the major in BA studio art by taking part in the BA Senior Group Exhibition.
    • The minimum 3.0 GPA in Art must be maintained through graduation to receive the BFA degree.
    • Students who are admitted to the BFA program may choose a new advisor, usually one within the area of their concentration (see BFA Senior Exhibition section). The student must fill out a Change of Advisor form (it is the same as Declaration) and file it with the registrar.