The Certificate in Art Studio allows students from across campus, regardless of their major or degree program, to engage in a structured, meaningful art studio experience. Students should work closely with their major advisor to see how the certificate requirements can fit into their degree plan. Note: Most art courses do not carry the LAS (L&S) designation.
This certificate is designed for students who may not be planning to pursue professional careers in the arts but have a strong interest in a specific discipline and wish to develop their talents, as well as for those who want to complement their major and professional goals with artistic and conceptual skills. No prior coursework in art is required to declare this certificate.
Students select one of four focus areas: 2D, 3D, 4D, or Photography, and complete the courses required of this area of study.
For each option, certificate students complete one course focusing on the historical context of art, one or two courses that provide a foundation for their chosen area, and two or three related electives that allow for the exploration and development of their skills specific to the area of focus. Students interested in graphic design and typography should consider the Graphic Design Certificate, also offered through the Department of Art.
The Art Studio certificate may also appeal to individuals who have already completed a bachelor’s degree in art, but now want to complete an emphasis in a different discipline; see the Nondegree/Visiting Student Guide. In these instances, the student will work closely with an advisor in the Department of Art to substitute higher-level courses for the foundational studio courses.
How to Get in
Declaration Process
Students intending to complete the Art Studio certificate can find the declaration form on the School of Education's Certificate Programs page. The declaration for this certificate program can be submitted at any time during the academic year.
Eligibility
Undergraduate students in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher, who are not participating in the Art–BS, Art Education, or Art–BFA degree programs, may declare this certificate. University Special students who have already completed a bachelor's degree are also eligible to complete this certificate.
Requirements
The certificate requires a minimum total of 17–18 credits, depending on the selected area. It is possible to complete the certificate in three semesters, making it a viable option for most students, including transfers.
Select a course of study in one of four focus areas: 2D, 3D, 4D (time-based), or Photography, and complete the required courses. For each option, certificate students complete one course focusing on the historical context of art, one or two courses that provide a foundation for their chosen area, and two or three related electives that allow for the exploration and development of their skills.
Historical Context of Art/Design
Students in all certificate focus areas must complete one of the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ART 100 | Introduction to Art | 3 |
| ART 108 | Foundations of Contemporary Art | 3 |
| ART 208 | Current Directions in Art | 3 |
| ART HIST 206 | Survey of Photography: 1839 to 1989 | 3-4 |
Focus Areas
Focus One: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking
Ideal for the novice artist, as well as for students who want to develop previous skill in the creation of two-dimensional art. Students interested in pursuing this focus area can find more information about painting, drawing, and printmaking on the art department's website.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | ||
| Complete one of the following: | ||
| ART 102 | 2D Foundations | 3 |
| ART 112 | Drawing for Non-Art Majors | 3 |
| Development | ||
| Complete a minimum of three courses from the list. | ||
| ART 212 | Drawing Foundations | 3 |
| ART 222 | Introduction to Painting | 4 |
| ART 232 | Life Drawing I | 4 |
| ART 242 | Watercolor I | 4 |
| ART 302 | Color | 4 |
| ART 306 | Relief Printmaking | 4 |
| ART 307 | Making Comics 1 | 4 |
| ART 312 | Intermediate Drawing I | 4 |
| ART 316 | Lithography | 4 |
| ART 322 | Intermediate Painting I | 4 |
| ART 326 | Etching | 4 |
| ART 332 | Life Drawing II | 4 |
| ART 336 | Serigraphy | 4 |
| ART 342 | Watercolor II | 4 |
| ART 348 | Introduction to Digital Printmaking | 4 |
| ART 446 | Artists' Books | 4 |
| ART 452 | Intermediate Painting: New Figuration I | 4 |
| ART 506 | Advanced Relief Printmaking | 4 |
| ART 507 | Making Comics 2 | 4 |
| ART 512 | Advanced Drawing I | 4 |
| ART 516 | Advanced Lithography | 3 |
| ART 522 | Advanced Painting I | 4 |
| ART 526 | Advanced Etching/Intaglio | 4 |
| ART 532 | Advanced Life Drawing I | 4 |
| ART 536 | Advanced Serigraphy | 4 |
| ART 542 | Advanced Watercolor I | 4 |
| ART 552 | Advanced Painting: New Figuration II | 4 |
| ART 612 | Advanced Drawing II | 4 |
| ART 622 | Advanced Undergraduate Painting Workshop | 3 |
| ART 636 | Computer Augmented Printmaking | 4 |
| ART 642 | Advanced Watercolor II | 4 |
Focus Two: 3D Forms
Ideal for the novice artist, as well as for students who want to develop previous skill in the creation of three-dimensional art. Students interested in pursuing this focus area can find more information about ceramics, glass and neon, metals/metalsmithing, sculpture/installations, and wood on the art department's website.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| ART 104 | 3D Foundations | 3 |
| ART 214 | Sculpture I | 4 |
| Development | ||
| Complete a minimum of two courses from the list. | ||
| ART 224 | Ceramics I | 4 |
| ART 244 | Art Metal I | 4 |
| ART 314 | Sculpture II | 4 |
| ART 324 | Ceramics II | 4 |
| ART 334 | Wood Working | 4 |
| ART 343 | Metal Fabrication and Welding in Sculpture | 4 |
| ART 354 | Glassworking | 4 |
| ART 409 | Digital Fabrication Studio | 4 |
| ART 414 | Art Foundry | 3 |
| ART 454 | Neon: Light as Sculpture | 4 |
| ART 514 | Advanced Sculpture Workshop 1 | 4 |
| ART 521 | Installations and Environments | 4 |
| ART 534 | Advanced Wood Working | 4 |
| ART 544 | Advanced Art Metal I | 4 |
| ART 554 | Advanced Glassworking | 4 |
| ART 614 | Advanced Sculpture Workshop 2 | 3-4 |
| ART 624 | Advanced Ceramics II | 4 |
| ART 644 | Advanced Art Metal II | 4 |
Focus Three: 4D-Digital, Time-based, Performative or Social Practice
Ideal for the novice artist, as well as for students who want to develop previous skill with new art genres. Students interested in pursuing this focus area can find more information about digital media and animation, or performance, video, or social practice on the art department's website.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| ART 107 | Introduction to Digital Forms | 3 |
| Development | ||
| Complete minimum of three courses from list. | ||
| ART 309 | Digital Art and Code | 4 |
| ART 318 | Introduction to Video, Performance & Installation Art | 4 |
| ART 338 | Service Learning in Art | 2 |
| ART 348 | Introduction to Digital Printmaking | 4 |
| ART 393 | Internships in Art | 1 |
| ART 409 | Digital Fabrication Studio | 4 |
| ART 428 | Digital Imaging Studio | 4 |
| ART 429 | 3D Digital Studio I | 4 |
| ART 470 | Special Topics in 4D Art | 3-4 |
| ART 511 | Art Performance | 3-4 |
| ART 518 | Artist's Video | 4 |
| ART 529 | 3D Digital Studio II | 4 |
| ART 570 | Advanced Topics in 4D Art | 4 |
| ART 531 | Screen Performance | 3-4 |
| ART 636 | Computer Augmented Printmaking | 4 |
| INTEGART 310 | Interdisciplinary Artist in Residence Studio | 1-3 |
Focus Four: Photography (Film and Digital)
Ideal for the novice artist, as well as for students who want to develop previous skill with photography. Students interested in pursuing this focus area can find more information about photography on the art department's website. ART HIST 206 Survey of Photography: 1839 to 1989 is highly recommended as the historical context course.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| ART 176 | Digital Photography for Non-Art Majors | 4 |
| Development | ||
| Complete the following: | ||
| ART 376 | Darkroom Photography | 4 |
| ART 476 | Intermediate Photography | 4 |
| ART 576 | Advanced Photography | 4 |
Progress and Completion Requirements
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 must be achieved and maintained across all certificate course work in order to remain in, and successfully complete the certificate. All courses required by the certificate must be taken for a grade; none may be taken on a pass/fail, credit/no credit basis or as an auditor.
At least 12 of the required credits must be completed in residence in the UW–Madison Department of Art. Courses taken in a study abroad program sponsored by UW–Madison do not count toward this residency requirement.
Undergraduate/Special Student Certificate
This certificate may be completed within the context of an undergraduate degree or as a Special student after an undergraduate degree has been awarded from any institution. The certificate may be completed in its entirety while enrolled as a Special student. Candidates are encouraged to contact the certificate coordinator to discuss course enrollment and the sequencing of certificate requirements.