Student painting in a visual arts class

Major or Minor in Visual Arts

orange sprite

Study Visual Arts at Fordham

About the visual arts major

You’ll develop your creativity and technical expertise as you train to navigate today’s visually oriented world and job market. Choose from our concentrations in painting and drawing, graphic design, film and video, photography, art and engagement, or the built environment—all while growing your network in a cultural capital of the world, with world-class museums and a thriving gallery scene at your fingertips.

Our graduates go on to …

  • Exhibit work at the Whitney Biennial, MoMA PS1, the Hammer Museum, MoCA LA, and other premier galleries
  • Pursue graduate degrees at places like Cal Arts, Cornell University, and the Royal College of Art
  • Screen films at Sundance, the New Orleans Film Festival, and Anthology Film Archives

Visit the visual arts department page

Visual Arts Student with Drawing

Visual arts program profile

  • Rose Hill CampusMajor
    Rose Hill
  • Rose Hill CampusMinor
    Rose Hill
  • Lincoln Center CampusMajor
    Lincoln Center
  • Lincoln Center CampusMinor
    Lincoln Center

orange sprite

Program at a glance

89%

of visual arts graduates in the past five years were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in public service or other meaningful endeavors within six months of graduation

21%

of visual arts graduates in the past five years have pursued advanced degrees

6

areas of study: art and engagement, built environment, film and video, graphic design, painting and drawing, and photography

2

on-campus galleries for students to exhibit in their senior year: the Ildiko Butler Gallery and the Lipani Gallery

2

student-run clubs to stimulate your creativity, engage your intellect, and foster artistic collaborations: Student Arts Guild at Lincoln Center and Society of Visual Arts at Rose Hill

2

Visual Arts programs abroad for credit—one to Japan and one to Rome

orange sprite

Fordham Visual Arts in Action

Amelia Medved works on a project at SCAPE Landscape Architecture

Turning Curiosity into a Dream Job                    

After taking a visual arts class, Amelia Medved took a chance on changing majors—and discovered her ideal career.

Fordham art student Brenda Bouvier

A New Creative Home for Fordham Artists                    

See how Fordham’s brand-new visual arts wing is revitalizing student creativity and offering opportunities for more ambitious exhibitions.

Stephan Apicella-Hitchcock

Inside the Mind of a Mentor                    

Learn more about Stephan Apicella-Hitchcock, who’s been mentoring students to successful careers in visual arts for more than two decades.

Alumni, friends, and family at the opening for the “Amarcord” exhibit in the Ildiko Butler Gallery

Finding Paths and Building Careers                    

Check out some of the latest works by successful grads. Their group show was a testament to the community, classes, and professors that left them feeling “fully changed” and charged as artists.

Fordham Ram Statue at Lincoln Center campus with Fulbright text

Researching Weimar Cinema in Berlin                    

Katherine Heaton won a prestigious Fulbright scholarship to travel to Berlin, where she worked on set designs inspired by early German cinema.

orange sprite

Visual Arts Program FAQ

  • Fordham’s location in the heart of NYC means that you’ll have access to some of the world’s finest museums, galleries, and cultural institutions. You’ll learn from top professionals in the field, with unparalleled opportunities for internships and work experience.

  • As a hub of culture, entertainment, and production, students at Fordham’s NYC campus have a wide range of opportunities available. They have interned at places including The New Yorker, Anthropologie, the Whitney Museum of American Art, Marvel Comics, and Random House.

  • Students go on to a wide variety of careers including working for city museums, pursuing artistic residencies, directing and designing for film and television, and graphic design at places like The New York Times, and other global companies or nonprofits.

  • At Fordham, you’ll use AI as a tool to enhance your learning. Our program will equip you with the skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of AI in the artistic workforce. You might use generative AI for enhanced modeling, 3D renderings, or streamlined drafting.

    You’ll also be able to earn credentials and paid micro-internships through IBM SkillsBuild’s Getting Started with AI course. All Fordham students and graduates have access to AI training through RamConnect, the University’s alumni and experiential learning platform.

    Above all, you’ll learn skills that can’t be replaced by AI, such as critical thinking, creativity, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

Apply

Plan Your Visit

orange sprite

Contact Us 

No matter where you are in your college search, we're here to answer your questions, help you learn more about Fordham, and support you through the admission process.

E-mail us

Visit and Chat with us

Connect with us on social media

Request Information

Loading...