Undergraduate Scene Painting

Our rigorous Undergraduate Scene Painting concentration is as fun and hands-on as it is challenging. One of the only undergraduate concentrations of its kind, students will be taught with a threefold approach covering the craft, artistry and management sides of being a scenic artist.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

First-Second Years
You will begin the program learning the foundation of scenic painting, such as drawing, color and design and drafting. Your classes will intensify through the program as you learn and begin to develop the basic skills of scene painting both in the classroom and in the studio. You will put your classroom skills to good use in the vast, 7,500 square foot paint deck, complete with adjacent mixing and support rooms. There you will spend 20 hours a week working on a minimum of 14 productions each year. As part of your degree, you will take liberal arts courses.

Third-Fourth Years
You will learn a variety of techniques and master different mediums throughout the program. A trompe l’oeil course, for example, focuses on the technique and art of optical illusions in scenic art. Also, a course in translucent, transparent and opaque media will expand your abilities. In your final year, you will be given full responsibility as a scenic charge for a production, required to budget time and materials, create samples and manage a crew. 

Careers

Our Scene Painting concentration can lead you to careers as scenic artists or scenic charges for various venues, programs and groups. Some of our graduates have chosen paths in academia and as curators for cultural centers where their creativity and skills can still shine. Nearly all of our Scene Painting degree alumni find jobs in their chosen field, so no matter what path you choose, your degree and portfolio will pave the way.