Academic Advising Resource Center

Studio Art

Why take courses in Studio Art?

Studio Art courses explore hands-on making, creative problem-solving, and visual literacy as students consider a wide range of interdisciplinary topics. Classes emphasize technical and conceptual development within global traditions and contemporary practices. Our faculty offer courses in painting, drawing, color theory, photography (wet and digital), sculpture, installation, media arts (sound, video, interactive/networked art), performance, reproducible media (screenprint, lithography, intaglio, relief, monotype), design, and all the hybrids in between. Drawing on their parallel studies at Oberlin, students produce work at the forefront of creative fields. Oberlin’s Studio Art curriculum is interdisciplinary in nature and emphasizes ideas.

What kinds of questions does Studio Art explore?

  • How can we contextualize various forms of art in terms of their history, their relationships to the other art media, and their cultural implications?

  • How do we best understand art as research?
  • What are new ways to incorporate previously unknown methods into your creative process?

 

What advice would you give students interested in taking courses in Studio Art?

You must complete the Studio Art Consent Request Form to request access to all studio art courses. 

Be prepared for a steady workload throughout the semester and classes that challenge your creative problem-solving skills.

Taking Courses

Courses for non-majors or general interest

  • Any introductory level course.

Getting started in the major

The Studio Art major requires students to study in 2D (with a color, composition, design, and mediums on a flat plane); 3D (with a focus on tools and techniques to build in and re-envision in space); and 4D (with a focus on time-based media, and most digital mediums). By the time a student graduates from Oberlin’s Studio Art department—regardless of their primary medium—they will be fluent in visual languages across all (known) physical dimensions, preparing them to be active participants in our 21st century visual world.

    Advanced Placement Credit 

    Studio Art does not transfer AP credit toward the major requirements. Refer to the AP/IB chart for complete information about AP test scores. 

    Majoring in Studio Art

    Provided are two examples of how a student could distribute courses required for the major over three or four years. See the catalog for additional details about major requirements.

    Sample Four-Year Plans
      Fall Spring
    Y1 INTRO 2D INTRO 4D
    TRAD ART HISTORY
    Y2 INTRO 3D
    CONTEMP ART HISTORY    		 INTERMEDIATE
    MAJOR ELECTIVE
    Y3 ADVANCE JR STUDIO INTERMEDIATE
    Y4 CAPSTONE A
    CAPSTONE B    		 CAPSTONE A
    CAPSTONE C
      Fall Spring
    Y1   INTRO 3D
    Y2 INTRO 2D     
    INTRO 4D    		 MAJOR ELECTIVE    
    TRAD ART HISTORY
    Y3 INTERMEDIATE       
    CONTEMP ART HISTORY    		 INTERMEDIATE       
    ADVANCED JR STUDIO
    Y4 CAPSTONE A
    CAPSTONE B    		 CAPSTONE A
    CAPSTONE C

     

    Related Areas of Study

    Studio Arts compliment all areas of study.

    Learn More

    Studio Art Major Requirements
    Studio Art Department