We've got just the right program for you.
Choose from the BA in Art, BFA in Art, or BA in Art History. Whichever way you go, you'll create original works of art and explore the history and meaning of humanity's artistic expression.
Explore undergraduate programs
BA in Art
Build skills in 3D Design, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Jewelry/Metal Arts, Painting/Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture/Intermedia. Great with a second major.
BFA in Art
Explore it all, then choose a concentration: 3D Design, Ceramics, Graphic Design, Jewelry/Metal Arts, Painting/Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, or Sculpture/Intermedia. Finish with a solo exhibition.
BA in Art History
Choose one of two tracks–The Iowa Idea track or the Global and Interdisciplinary Connections track. Study humanity's artistic expression from antiquity to tomorrow.
Minor in Art
This minor will enhance your science, engineering, business, communication, or liberal arts major.
Minor in Art History
This minor will build your knowledge and understanding of global cultures. Add it to any UI major.
Environmental Health and Safety Policy
Your personal safety in our studios, shops, and other spaces is our top priority. Click here to learn more about our safety policies.
Galleries and Exhibitions
Learn the ins and outs of mounting an exhibition in one of our seven in-house art galleries.
How will you pursue your goals in art?
Our three undergraduate majors empower you to discover and dive deep into your artistic passions, while also letting you sample a broad range of artistic disciplines, ideas, and theories. With nine types of art taught by nationally respected artists—not to mention our high-tech studios, classrooms, galleries, library, and museum—you'll have amazing opportunities to grow as an artist, scholar, and person.
- Want to learn creative thinking and artistic skills while pursuing a second major? Check out the BA in Art. You'll build the foundation for an artful life, both in the studio and in the classroom—and it's perfect for pairing with any other University of Iowa major.
- Planning to build a career as an artist or go on to graduate school? The BFA is your ticket. You'll have increased studio time, choose an artistic specialty area, and wrap up your Iowa art experience with a solo exhibition of your work.
- Fascinated by cultures from around the world and their creative expression? The BA in Art History will launch your academic and career success. You'll explore humanity's artistic history, present, and future—and develop skills in the studio, too.
Our programs are ranked among the best in the nation. Our buildings are technologically advanced architectural masterpieces. Our professors are leading artists and scholars. Our students are talented and adventurous. Our alumni are successful. And it all happens in Iowa City, a fun, arts-loving town. Please join our creative community—you'll fit right in!
# 23
National Ranking: Best Fine Arts Programs
U.S. News & World Report, 2020
Why study Art at Iowa?
It's our guiding philosophy: For a well-rounded, world-class art education, studio art students should study art history, and art history students should create art. That's why there's a lot of overlap among our majors.
We think that combining studio art and art history is just common sense—but we were the first to do it, almost a century ago. Even today, many schools still keep art and art history separate from each other.
The art world calls our history-making philosophy the "Iowa Idea." It's still how we operate today.