The Department of Studio Art in the Claire Trevor School of the Arts takes a wide-ranging, interdisciplinary view of contemporary art practice. With an emphasis on experimentation and innovation, UCI Studio Art is viewed as a leader in genres addressing cultural identity and emerging technologies. The Department provides students a solid theoretical and technical foundation from which to approach art making as both process and product. Each student is encouraged to develop an individual, disciplined direction approach to media, materials, and techniques. To this end, the curriculum provides studio experiences in drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics, photography, digital imaging, and video. Visiting artists, theorists, curators, and other arts professionals are an integral part of the program.

A state-of-the-art Studio Art building (ACT), was completed in Winter term 2003. The existing Studio Art buildings have been seismically retro-fitted and extensively remodeled and renovated. The new facilities house offices, faculty studios and office, graduate student studios, an honors undergraduate studios, a student gallery, "ROOM," a video production and editing facilities, digital output facilities and multi-purpose classrooms. The University Art Gallery provides a venue for student shows as well as faculty and guest artist presentations. The CyberA Cafe provides food and beverages and a venue to present and view digital art informally.

The University's Education Abroad Program offers students the opportunity to study abroad. Special programs for Studio Art majors are offered in Venice. Graduate-level study also is available.

CAREERS FOR THE STUDIO ART MAJOR

Departmental faculty and the range of artists whose work is represented in the University Art Gallery exhibitions provide diverse career models. Some graduates go on to careers as exhibiting artists or teachers; others work in arts-related activities in museums, galleries, and artists' organizations. A bachelor's degree in Studio Art is usually required as preparation for graduate-level study in studio art.