Students develop the skills specific to the practice of art in addition to and within the understanding that there are more general skills necessary to a critical apprehension of the collective condition. This distinction is made in order to clarify that the department does not view art itself merely as a profession, but as a way of understanding and communicating meaning through materials, situations, language, and images.
"As artist-educators, we assume a unique and critical role in connecting some of the most complex aspects of art practice to pedagogy," says Paul Ramírez Jonas, Professor and Chair of the Department of Art. " We do this understanding that the next generation of artists live in a world that is both fraught with compounded crises and full of opportunities for engagement, intervention, and for making lasting change."
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A) curriculum combines the intensive studio culture of the Department of Art with open access to elective classes in all areas of Cornell University. Focusing on individualized direction with close faculty mentorship, studio practice, and forging trans-disciplinary relationships, the department prepares a close community of artists to engage the world as creative and intellectual leaders.
The two-year Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A) program is an intensive, intimate, and diverse community that supports interdisciplinary and medium-specific practices augmented by access to the breadth of fields of study across the university. The college provides private studios, teaching assistantships throughout, and a generous tuition remission.
Photo No-Nos: Meditations on What Not to Photograph
Associate Professor Michael Ashkin, art, contributes an essay and photo to the new book, edited by Jason Fulford and published by Aperture, which features ideas, stories, and anecdotes from many of the world's most talented photographers.
Studio Archive Project: Use Your Words
Associate Professor of art Carl Ostendarp's work is part of an online group exhibition curated by JJ Manford (B.F.A. '06). Includes art alumni Erik den Breejen (M.F.A. '06), Amie Cunat (M.F.A. '12), and former department chair Buzz Spector.
Roberto Bertoia: Reflections 2020
Visit Reflections 2020, by Associate Professor of art Roberto Bertoia on display at the Bibliowicz Family Gallery, Milstein Hall.
Spring 2022: A Look Ahead
Following two years of extraordinary effort and resolve, flexibility, imagination, and creativity fuel the upcoming semester.
A Collegetown Mural Memorializes Loved Ones Lost To Illness
With her Collegetown mural, Yerkezhan Abuova (B.F.A. '23) seeks closure for her family and those who have lost loved ones to illness by memorializing her own grandmothers. In the Cornell Chronicle.
Office Hours: Paul Ramírez Jonas
Art & Education's School Watch features Department of Art Chair Paul Ramírez Jonas who shares his thoughts on art education, contexts for creating curricula, and advice for students today.
As Metro Pictures Closes, Its Founders Look Back
In The New York Times, the founders of Metro Pictures in NYC talk about their landmark gallery and members like artist and photographer Louise Lawler (B.F.A. '69) that they introduced to the art world.
