Sculpture (BFA in Fine Arts)
In the Sculpture emphasis in the Fine Arts program at UArts, you’ll learn from faculty who are highly skilled and internationally recognized makers whose expertise encompasses the full breadth of sculptural practice, from the figurative to public works and museum installations.
As a Sculpture student, you’ll construct a foundation of skillbuilding in our well-equipped facilities with a variety of processes, from welding to cutting-edge digital media. Juniors and seniors focus on independently driven projects that stem from their own research. You’ll be prepared to enter into the industry, be an artist engaging in the expanded field of contemporary sculpture, and be an entrepreneur and leader in the global creative economy.
A Fine Arts Degree
UArts' Sculpture program is an emphasis in our Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program. As a Sculpture student, you will be able to immerse yourself in the expanded field of sculpture and draw from other disciplines in the Fine Arts program, like Painting and Expanded Drawing and Print Media, as well as study multiple disciplines and collaborate with students in majors across the university.
You can choose to use your electives to acquire deep knowledge of the 3-D disciplines, or expand your field of study to include the breadth of creative practice, such as dance, performance or virtual reality. You will learn to express your unique artistic voice in multiple facets, through a combination of technical skills and critical thinking.
Studying in the City
Living and working in the heart of Philadelphia, you’ll get to know local art organizations, museums, theaters, venues and the other spaces that make Philadelphia culturally and artistically inspiring. Our accomplished faculty are deeply embedded in the vibrant Philadelphia contemporary art scene and fabrication studios, which provides networking opportunities and behind-the-scenes experiences for UArts students. Our visiting artist and speaker series brings renowned sculptors, curators, writers, industry professionals and gallery directors to UArts, providing you with the opportunity for one-on-one meetings with the most important professionals in the field. Beyond Philadelphia, you’ll explore New York City and Washington D.C. through program-organized visits to museums, galleries and major contemporary art sites.
Philadelphia is an aspiring sculptor’s extended classroom, and has approximately 1,500 public sculptural works—more than any other city in North America. 3-D makers draw from the city’s great industrial history as well as contemporary 3-D-making collaborative startups. Philadelphia’s vibrant gallery scene, artist cooperatives and world-class museums showcase the work of national, international and local artists.
Gallery
Catch a behind-the-scenes view of the Sculpture emphasis in the Fine Arts program. Through research, studio experimentation, artistic invention and daily practice, you’ll hone your skills necessary to fulfill your artistic vision.
Follow UArts' BFA in Fine Arts on Instagram, including emphases in Painting, Expanded Drawing and Print Media and Sculpture.
WE ARE the School of Art
WE ARE Resilient | WE ARE Creative | WE ARE Bold
This project began through a brainstorming session about how we could collaborate and generate something together as a school during this challenging remote time. WE ARE is a record of some of the work our remarkable students and faculty produced in their remote studios, kitchens and basements during the fall 2020 and spring 2021 semesters. This project showcases the breadth of talent and creativity across our incredible school.
UArts Class of 2021 Fine Arts BFA Thesis Showcase
UArts Class of 2021 Fine Arts BFA Thesis Showcase
Fine Arts Galleries
As a student in the Sculpture emphasis in the Fine Arts degree program, you will be able to exhibit your work in multiple galleries and broader public spaces across the university. Students begin exhibiting work in their first year, and use exhibition and installation opportunities to develop professional practices and community relationships.
Facilities and Shops
Our Sculpture facilities are comprehensive and feature the full range of analog and state-of-the-art digital processes, including the Albert M. Greenfield Makerspace and Center for Immersive Media. As a student in the Sculpture emphasis in the Fine Arts degree program, you'll have access to analog facilities like
- multiple well-equipped wood shops,
- an extensive metal shop that includes cold and hot processes,
- a foundry for creating bronze and aluminum casting, and
- facilities dedicated to molding and casting.
Carriage House
Sculpture classes take place in the Carriage House, which was designed by Frank Furness—a famous Victorian-era architect who designed numerous buildings in Philadelphia. The historic building is filled with natural light from a bank of skylights. This space is the main hub for all 3-D activities and is surrounded by accessible shops and a courtyard, where community events are held.
The Albert M Greenfield Makerspace
The Makerspace is a 3,500-square-foot digital and traditional fabrication studio that brings together the entire university community and serves as a catalyst for the collaboration, experimentation and innovation that are characteristic of UArts. The space houses state-of-the-art digital and analog equipment that allows students to create virtually anything they can imagine.
It is outfitted with
- a ShopBot PRSAlpha9648 CNC Router;
- a Roland MDX540A four axis CNC Mill with ATC;
- a printed circuit board (PCB) and decal printers;
- two NextEngine 3-D scanners for small objects;
- two laser cutters/engravers, which can cut wood, acrylic, leather, fabric, paper, etc.;
- four Ultimaker 3, 3-D printers, with both PLA and ABS plastics, which are able to build up to 7.5 x 8.5 x 8 in.;
- a ProtoMax waterjet cutter with a 12 x 12 in. working area that can cut any material up to 1 in. thick (even steel);
- a four-color Janome digital embroidery machine;
- four electronic soldering stations and a PCB printer; and
- four Windows-based workstations that are available for anyone to use.
Learn more about the Makerspace.
Center for Immersive Media
The Center for Immersive Media (CIM) is a 5,600-square-foot facility dedicated to exploring the fields of virtual and mixed reality, performance motion-capture, and human-computer interaction. As a student at UArts, you can take elective courses that utilize CIM. The space includes
- an optical motion-capture system for full-body performance capture and location-based VR applications;
- a four-channel audio system, multiple video projectors and lighting, and a control station;
- 16 Genelec speakers for a 3rd Order Ambisonic system;
- a 16-station computing classroom with PCs that are optimized for real-time graphics rendering; and
- two large project rooms with ceiling grids for the development of installations and virtual environments.
Student Spotlight
In the Fine Arts major, you’ll study with a variety of talented practicing artists, from sculptors to painters and photographers and other artists of all kinds.
'24
'22
'18
'24
'25
Faculty Spotlight
Sculpture students at UArts will learn from top professional artists and educators whose work has been exhibited internationally and featured in films and publications.
As part of the required Fine Arts commons courses, you will have the opportunity to study with faculty from across the Painting and Expanded Drawing and Print Media emphases. Our faculty have received grants and awards like the Pew Fellowship in the Arts, Pollock-Krasner Foundation grants and the Arte Laguna International Art Prize, among others.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is based on skillbuilding, research, studio experimentation, artistic invention and daily practice. Your personal vision and innovation will anchor the development of your work. In Sculpture, you will be prepared to make significant cultural contributions for industry, gallery and museum exhibitions, public art, and use your skill sets to build your own entrepreneurial and creative capital.
The structure of our curriculum educates you in an environment that allows for either deep study in a discipline or the option of drawing from the breadth of creative practices across the university, including dance, design, music, film and writing.
You will deepen your cultural and intellectual understanding of the world around you and prepare yourself to contribute to the field of sculpture at a high level after graduation.
Students who complete the Fine Arts Major with an emphasis in Sculpture will
- demonstrate independent, creative problem solving and original thinking through the development of a distinct and personal approach to art making that is informed by contemporary issues and historical precedents.
- demonstrate critical and conceptual development through research and analysis, applying readings, theories and methodologies toward the production of critically informed artworks.
- acquire and demonstrate the professional skills needed to be successful as practicing artists, entrepreneurs and productive citizens, including further study at the graduate level.
- effectively communicate, verbally and in writing, the thoughts behind their choices and decisions about content and strategies.
- demonstrate proficiency in a number of advanced techniques in their individual studio practice, including a deep familiarity with materials and processes.
Sample Curriculum
Duration: Four years, full-time
Credits: 120
Major requirements: 61.5 credits
Discipline history: 12 credits
Critical Studies: 30 credits
Free electives: 16.5 credits
Fall Semester: 16.5 credits
Image/Time (3c)
Object/Environment (3c)
Drawing: Objects & Space (3c)
Art, Design and Moving Image I (3c)
Writing Composition I (3c)
Free Elective (your choice) (1.5c)
Spring Semester: 16.5 credits
Drawing: Natural Forms and The Human Figure (3c)
Color (3c)
Found and Fabricated or Body as Form (your choice) (3c)
Writing Composition II (3c)
Art, Design and Moving Image II (3c)
Free Elective (your choice) (1.5c)
Fall Semester: 15 credits
Fabrication & Mixed Media (3c)
Sophomore Projects (3c)
Critical Studies (your choice) (6c)
Free elective (your choice) (3c)
Spring Semester: 15 credits
Digital requirement (3c)
Expanded Materials (3c)
Modeling & Carving (3c)
Discipline history (your choice) (3c)
Contemporary Issues (3c)
Fall Semester: 15 credits
Junior Projects Discourse I (3c)
Sculpture Body Lab (3c)
Critical Studies (your choice) (6c)
Free elective (your choice) (3c)
Spring Semester: 13.5 credits
Internship (1.5c)
Installation & Immersive Environments (3c)
Junior Projects Discourse II (3c)
Critical Studies (your choice) (3c)
Free elective (your choice) (3c)
Fall Semester: 15 Credits
Fine Arts Thesis Groundwork (3c)
Advanced Sculpture (3c)
Critical Studies (your choice) (3c)
Critical Studies (your choice) (3c)
Free elective (your choice) (3c)
Spring Semester: 13.5 Credits
The Artists’ Manifesto (3c)
Professional Practices (3c)
Fine Arts Thesis Studio (3c)
Critical Studies (your choice) (3c)
Free elective (your choice) (1.5c)
Explore the full curriculum.
Visiting Artists, Internships and Careers
Visiting Artists
Throughout your studies, you will be exposed to a variety of internationally recognized guest artists and speakers, in order to introduce you to the limitless possibilities for your future.
Recent Sculpture visiting artists include
- Rina Banerjee
- Scott Donahue
- Rachel Frank
- Miguel Antonio Horn
- Stacy Levy
- Mary Mattingly
- Bev Semmes
- Lee Stoetzel
- Jonathan Van Dyke
Internships
As a Sculpture student in the Fine Arts program, you will gain hands-on professional experience during your Professional Practices course and a required internship. UArts Sculpture students have the opportunity to exhibit work in numerous galleries and exhibition spaces, on campus and beyond. Such opportunities provide professional experiences and introduce your work to an audience that includes peers, faculty and the greater Philadelphia arts community.
Organizations that have hosted prior internships include
- professional sculptor’s studios;
- Spiral Q Puppet Theater;
- industry fabrication studios, ceramic shops and foundries;
- public art fabrication projects, including Miguel Antonio Hornn’s “ContraFuerte” installation and fabrication;
- Philadelphia Museum of Art;
- The Center for Emerging Visual Artists;
- Vox Populi Gallery; and
- Philadelphia Mural Arts.
Career Preparation
Our curriculum is rooted in a broad base of skillbuilding, forming conceptual frameworks and professional development. Faculty serve as mentors, helping you chart potential career pathways and introducing you to leaders in the field.
Common career options for Sculpture graduates include the following.
- Art director
- Production designer
- Commercial designer
- Educator
- Industrial designer
- Industry fabricator
- Museum and gallery administrator
- Special effects artist
- Studio artist
- Studio manager/assistant
Career Services offers comprehensive advising to students and alumni, to assist them in building career development skills and tools and provide access to professional opportunities and job market information.
Alumni
Our alumni work as artists and leaders across creative industries. They’ve collaborated on projects like the Mars rover, exhibited their artwork in museums internationally, founded special effects companies, and worked in the biomedical field. They have created fabrication companies, worked with theater set design, constructed large-scale commercial displays for companies such as Anthopologie and have been awarded prestigious fellowships like the Guggenheim Fellowship.
'19
'19
BFA '20
BFA '17
BFA '15
BFA '14
BFA '92
BFA ’85 (Fine Arts/Sculpture)
How to Apply
UArts offers recommended priority deadlines; students who apply and submit all required materials by the priority deadline will receive first consideration for scholarship aid from UArts. Applications received after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis.
International students requiring an F-1 visa for study in the U.S. might be subject to earlier deadlines to provide time for completion of the visa process. Contact Admissions for guidance if you are an international student who wishes to apply after the priority deadline.
Spring 2023 priority deadline: Oct. 15, 2022
Fall 2023 priority deadline: Feb. 15, 2023
We cannot accept spring 2023 applications after Jan. 9, 2023, and cannot accept fall 2023 applications after Aug. 11, 2023.
The following materials are required for your application.
Start or resume your application.
-
The application includes two required short-answer questions: What excites you about UArts? What inspires you?
-
If you qualify for a fee waiver from NACAC, CollegeBoard, UArts or another source, indicate that on your application. If the cost of the application fee is a barrier, contact Admissions to request a fee waiver code.
-
Official transcripts must be sent directly from your school by mail, email or a secure electronic document-delivery service.
-
International transcript requirements
-
If you’ve attended high school outside the U.S., read the additional guidelines for international transcripts.
-
-
Transfer student transcript requirements
-
High school transcripts may be waived for transfer applicants who have completed a minimum of 24 credits of college-level coursework, including a minimum of 18 academic, non-studio credits.
-
Official college transcript(s)
-
Official transcripts must be sent directly from all the colleges you have attended by mail, email or a secure electronic document-delivery service.
-
If you’ve attended college outside the U.S., you are required to have an official course-by-course evaluation of your college coursework sent to UArts. Additional guidelines for international transcripts are available.
-
-
-
A portfolio is required for all Art, Design, Film and Writing programs. Your portfolio may be uploaded during the application process or via your applicant status portal after submission. You must confirm when your submission is complete via the linked electronic form before your portfolio can be reviewed for admission.
-
Letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors are optional and may be submitted by the recommender via email to undergradcredentials@uarts.edu or by your high school through a secure electronic document-delivery service.
Apply Now.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
UArts recognizes the extraordinary talent of our students through a range of merit-based scholarships. All applicants are automatically considered for such scholarships—no special application is necessary.
Nearly 98 percent of UArts’ undergraduate students enrolled on a full-time basis are eligible for some type of need-based aid. Additionally, some scholarship opportunities take need-based criteria into account. All students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and are enrolled in a degree program are encouraged to apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
About the School of Art
The School of Art at University of the Arts deeply values and celebrates creative curiosity, interdisciplinary collaboration and exploration of numerous media and practices. You will be professionally prepared for a creative practice that emphasizes critical thinking and technical skill. You can create your own education through interdisciplinary learning and mixed media, or focus on a chosen discipline. No matter your path, you’ll learn to express your personal vision and innovate your chosen artforms.
Get Started
Start your application
Begin your application today. Our admissions team will help you throughout the process.
See UArts for yourself
The best way to get to know UArts is by visiting our campus in person. Come see a show, visit a gallery, and get to know the neighborhood.
Not sure where to start?
We're glad you want to learn more. Our admissions team is happy to send additional information about our school.