Studio Arts Exploration
Spend up to a year exploring RIT’s studio art options.
Overview for Studio Arts Exploration
Explore which studio arts option bests fits your career goals and aspirations.
Spend up to a year taking courses without impacting your time to graduation.
If you want to pursue studio arts but are still determining which discipline best matches your interests, the studio arts exploration option is for you. The School of Art offers a BFA degree in studio arts with options in ceramics, furniture design, glass, metals and jewelry design, printmaking, painting, or sculpture and expanded forms. In your first year, you will work closely with your academic advisor to select courses that best align with your interests.
The studio arts exploration option requires the submission of a portfolio. View our Portfolio Requirements for more information.
* The BFA programs in medical illustration and illustration are not part of this exploration program.
Featured Work and Profiles
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Student Painting Recognized in AXA Art Prize
Hannah Sitzer '27 (painting option - studio arts BFA) was named a finalist in the 2026 AXA Art Prize student art competition! As one of 40 finalists, Sitzer's “Chatter” painting will be featured in a...
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Metals class forges futures
The Basic Blacksmithing and Toolmaking course is offered this semester through for the metals and jewelry design program.
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Alumna thrives in professional role at jewelry shop
As a young professional, Cece Plympton '25 is carrying out responsibilities that align with the initial goals they established at RIT.
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Alumni bring full-service approach to custom furniture design
George Dubinsky and David Short discovered a shared vision while at RIT. And it guided them to develop Edgewood Made, which works with the world's top architects and interior designers.
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Summer Drawing Course for High School Students
Denton Crawford Each summer, RIT’s School of Art invites high school students to campus for an intensive course that prepares them to apply to the art schools of their dreams. Pre-College Portfolio Prep is a two-week...
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Exhibition Opportunities in Downtown Rochester
John Aasp, Todd Jokl RIT has maintained a creative presence in downtown Rochester with an urban art gallery in various locations since 1999. The latest location of RIT City Art Space in the Neighborhood of Play, steps...
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Curriculum for 2025-2026 for Studio Arts Exploration
Current Students: See Curriculum Requirements
Admissions and Financial Aid
First-Year Admission
A strong performance in a college preparatory program is expected. This includes:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of social studies and/or history
- 3-4 years of mathematics
- 2-3 years of science
- Studio art experience and a portfolio of original artwork are required. View Portfolio Requirements for more information.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
100% of all incoming first-year and transfer students receive aid.
RIT’s personalized and comprehensive financial aid program includes scholarships, grants, loans, and campus employment programs. When all these are put to work, your actual cost may be much lower than the published estimated cost of attendance.
Learn more about financial aid and scholarships
Related News
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March 17, 2026
Alumni-run Edgewood Made brings full-service approach to custom furniture design
George Dubinsky and David Short discovered a shared vision while at RIT, using it to guide them in developing their Philadelphia-based company into one that works with the world's top architects and interior designers.
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February 16, 2026
Exhibition, talk features influential artist Charles Gaines '67
Charles Gaines '67 MFA (art and design), a pivotal figure in the field of conceptual art, has an upcoming exhibition in RIT’s University Gallery that traces a loose arc of his career and illustrates his sustained interest in the lyrical potential of logical systems. He will also give a companion artist talk Thursday, March 26.
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September 24, 2025
New School of Film and Animation director, faculty roles for 2025-26
Ricky Figueora taking over as the new director of RIT's School of Film and Animation headlines exciting promotions and additions to the College of Art and Design faculty.
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