*Due to COVID-19,regularly scheduled in person events and visits to the university’s art and art history department may have changed or moved online. Please call the department for more information at (860) 486-3930
Can I visit the Art and Art History Department?
Currently, our SFA buildings are closed to outside visitors. Please check back for updates. See our Visit Us page for details.
How do I schedule a tour of the department?
Due to COVID-19, our buildings are currently closed to outside visitors. Please check back for updates. You may visit us during UConn Open House Fall 2021.
Who should submit portfolios to Slideroom?
Only students applying to the BFA in Art (a portfolio of images), the BA in Art (an essay), or the BA in Art or Art History (an essay). SlideRoom is not set up to document extracurricular arts activity for students applying to other UConn Schools or Colleges. We have no way of sharing this information or forwarding it to other departments.
Do art history students need to upload a portfolio to Slideroom?
Art History students do not upload portfolios of artwork; however, they do upload an essay about their interests and experiences in the arts and art history. The Common Application will prompt art history students to enter SlideRoom to write the essay. The essay helps us to get to know you better and respond appropriately and individually to your application. The School of Fine Arts is a professional arts school, so all prospective students complete an additional admissions component of some kind (essay, portfolio review, audition, etc.) SlideRoom is simply the program we use to collect and process the essays – you don’t actually upload images as a prospective art history student. The deadline is January 15, the same as the Common App deadline. Please see the following guide for detailed instructions on navigating SlideRoom and uploading your essay: UConn BA in Art History SlideRoom Guide
What is Slideroom and how do I begin uploading my portfolio?
Slideroom is a program that allows you to upload images of your artwork for review. It is accessed through the Common Application, and requires that a small supplemental fee be paid. Once you enter Slideroom, the program will prompt you through the steps to upload images. Even if you attend an in-person portfolio review, you must upload your portfolio to Slideroom. This is a necessary part of the application process.
Why do I only see the MFA program in Studio Art as an option for uploading a portfolio?
This means that you have entered SlideRoom directly through their website, not through the Common Application. Undergraduate applicants must enter SlideRoom through the Common Application; graduate students apply through SlideRoom’s own website. We have no way to move a portfolio from the MFA pool to the BFA pool, so it’s important to upload the images to the right place.
What is the deadline for submitting a portfolio through Slideroom?
The sooner you complete your application, including Slideroom, the sooner your application can be evaluated. Transfer students have different deadlines – please consult the Admissions page for transfer students at http://admissions.uconn.edu/content/transfer
How many pieces do I need for my portfolio?
We require 15-20 images in the portfolio. Detailed guidelines are available here.
May I have an in-person portfolio review?
Of course! We offer in-person portfolio review days in the Fall. Information can be found on the Portfolio Review page. An in-person portfolio review does give you an opportunity to discuss your work directly with a faculty member, however, only Slideroom portfolios will be considered for admissions.
Is there an advantage to attending in-person portfolio review?
The in-person review allows you to receive feedback and have a conversation with a faculty member. It also enables us to get to know you better, which can help if there are any difficulties with your application, or if you need mentoring through the college decision process. Even if an applicant is attending a live portfolio review, a portfolio must still be submitted through SlideRoom. This is to ensure that all portfolios are on file and viewable throughout the application process, which includes consideration for financial awards for incoming students.
Is it ok to come to an in-person portfolio review as a junior, to get feedback and advice?
Of course! We’re happy to review junior (or even sophomore) portfolios. We can discuss your work, and give advice on the best way to assemble the portfolio to showcase your work.
What concentrations are available in studio art?
All students complete the Studio Foundations program and then choose a concentration in communication design, illustration/animation, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture/ceramic art. For more information, visit our BFA in Art web page.
Can I minor in art or art history?
Yes. We offer minors in studio art and art history. The School of Fine Arts offers an interdisciplinary minor in digital arts.
How many students are in the department?
There are approximately 200 students in the Studio Art degree and 30 students in the Art History degree. Our programs are small enough that students get to know each other and feel like a community, but large enough to be diverse and interesting.
Are there internship opportunities for students?
Yes, many Studio Art and Art History students pursue internships, either during the semester or during the summer. Studio students have worked for illustration or design studios, as artists’ studio assistants, and for large and small animation firms. Art History students often pursue museum internships, and our students have interned at the Wadsworth Atheneum, Real Art Ways, the Florence Griswold Museum, and other institutions in and out of state.
Do undergraduates have an opportunity to exhibit work?
Yes. We strongly encourage all students to participate in the yearly Scholarship Exhibition, which is professionally juried and helps determine the distribution of prizes and scholarships. Students frequently have the opportunity to exhibit in small shows organized by faculty or fellow students in the Art Building and Student Union. The BFA degree culminates in the Senior Show at Windham ArtSpace, a professional, non-profit exhibition space. It is one of the highlights of our year.
What is the deadline for submitting the common application to UConn?
December 1st in order to be considered for merit based financial aid opportunities. The final Common App deadline, January 15, is firm but the slide room deadline extends a few days past this to accommodate students who encounter difficulties uploading images and finalizing the online portfolio. The deadlines for transfer applications are different and transfer students should consult the transfer admissions page at http://admissions.uconn.edu/content/transfer
Is there early admission at UConn?
No, there is no early admission at UConn. However, applications received by December 1st are ensured to be eligible for all university-wide merit based financial aid opportunities.
Are there any scholarships for freshmen?
Yes. If you apply by December 1st, you will be considered for merit scholarships available to UConn students. The Art and Art History Department has a small number of merit scholarships available for 1st year students. Continuing Studio Art and Art History students (sophomores and above) are eligible for scholarships and awards each year through their participation in the Scholarship Show.
If I receive an AAH scholarship, when do I need to accept my scholarship?
We ask that prospective students accept or reject their scholarship offer by April 15.
Can I start my BFA in Art, BA in Art or my BA in Art History at a regional campus?
Art courses are available at the Stamford regional campus every semester. However, all Art students must come to the Storrs campus to complete their degrees. Art History students can fulfill General Education requirements at regional campuses and sometimes take a survey course in Art History, but must attend Storrs as well.
Where can I find information about the university, student outcomes, financial aid, and other practical concerns?
UConn has created the Student Consumer Information page as a place to gather this information. We recommend that prospective and current students visit this site frequently.