Arts
Source: https://artsci.washington.edu/academics/arts Parent: https://artsci.washington.edu/academics/arts/art-arthistory-design/fact-sheet
Why study the arts?
In the Arts Division, we know that creativity, innovation and imagination are essential to the 21st century workplace. You will be challenged and inspired to explore, preparing you for success in careers both within and beyond the arts. The Arts Division offers degree programs, exhibitions and performances that unite theory with practice — here, studying art and creating art are one.
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Arts Program Resources
Art + Art History + Design
In-person and Virtual Information Sessions\ Undergraduate Admissions: Art | Art History | Design\ Exhibitions and Events\ Questions? Email uaskart@.uw.edu.
Dance
Undergraduate Admissions for Dance\ Questions? Email uwdance@uw.edu.
Drama
Undergraduate Admissions for Drama\ Productions\ Questions? Email emboyle@uw.edu.
Digital Arts & Experimental Media (DXARTS)
Undergraduate Minor for DXARTS\ Events\ Questions? Email dxarts@uw.edu.
Music
Virtual Information Sessions \ Undergraduate Admissions for Music\ Performances\ Questions? Email somadmit@uw.edu.
Arts opportunities for all
Explore campus arts opportunities, memorable courses and discounted admission to performances and exhibitions on the ArtsUW website.
Research
The practice of thinking creatively and critically are central to research and analysis. That’s why the Arts Division created a place for artistic research with the Arts and Creativity Initiative. Students, artists, scholars and audiences collaborate on projects that spark creative discovery. The Division supports the artistic process at the highest levels of expression and technique by funding faculty fellowships, research grants, archival research and other programs. With the UW positioned as an engine for the arts in the region and beyond, students and faculty become influential and creative leaders in their chosen fields.
More About Art & Sciences Research
Making Art, Making Connections
As an interdisciplinary visual art major, Kyra "Wolf" Wolfenbarger (BA, 2025) took studio art courses in painting, drawing, ceramics, performance art, sound, and other media. To connect with students in other fields, she participated in the UW's Summer Institute in the Arts and Humanities, an undergraduate research program that immerses students in research theory and practice. And she made connections beyond campus as a museum intern through the Seattle Art Museum's Emerging Arts Leader Internship.
Read More about Making Art, Making Connections
What do Arts students do after graduating?
The arts prepare the next generation of creative leaders. When you study the arts at the UW, you gain transferable skills that prepare you for many career paths. Alumni find meaningful work in a range of high-demand careers both within and beyond the arts, including arts and other non-profit management, design, business, media and communications, education, theater and more. Our alumni are everywhere, making a difference in local communities and the world.
"I appreciate all that the School of Art + Art History + Design does to prepare students for the professional world. We're exposed to the outside world a lot and taught how to interact in that sort of sphere."
Alumni Career Paths
- Creative Director
- Graphic designer
- UX designer
- Nonprofit director
- Business entrepreneur
- Performer
- Educator
- Theater director
- Industrial designer
- Marketing manager
- Composer
- Costume designer
- Museum/gallery curator
Arts programs
Whatever your artistic interest, there’s a program in the Arts Division for you.
- School of Art + Art History + Design
- B.A., Art History
- B.A., Art: 3D4M: ceramics + glass + sculpture
- B.A., Art: Interdisciplinary Visual Art
- B.A., Art: Painting + Drawing
- B.A., Art: Photo/Media
- BDes, Industrial Design
- BDes, Interaction Design
- BDes, Visual Communication Design
- M.A., Art History: Practicum Track
- M.A., Art History: Thesis Track
- MDes, Design
- M.F.A., 3D4M: ceramics + glass + sculpture
- M.F.A., New Genres
- M.F.A., Painting + Drawing
- PhD, Art History
- Department of Dance
- B.A., Dance
- M.F.A., Dance
- School of Drama
- B.A., Drama
- M.F.A., Acting
- M.F.A., Design
- M.F.A., Directing
- PhD, Drama
- Department of Digital Arts & Experimental Media
- PhD, DXARTS
- School of Music
- B.A., Ethnomusicology
- B.A., Music: Early Music History
- B.A., Music: Instrumental
- B.A., Music: Music History
- B.A., Music: Music Theory
- B.A., Music: Vocal
- B.M., Composition
- B.M., Guitar
- B.M., Jazz Studies
- B.M., Music Education: Instrumental Emphasis
- B.M., Music Education: Post Baccalaureate Certification, Instrumental Emphasis
- B.M., Music Education: Post Baccalaureate Certification, Vocal Emphasis
- B.M., Music Education: Vocal Emphasis
- B.M., Orchestral Instruments
- B.M., Organ
- B.M., Percussion Performance
- B.M., Piano
- B.M., Strings
- B.M., Voice
- DMA, Brass Performance
- DMA, Choral Conducting
- DMA, Composition
- DMA, Harp Performance
- DMA, Harpsichord Performance
- DMA, Instrumental Conducting
- DMA, Organ Performance
- DMA, Percussion Performance
- DMA, Piano Performance
- DMA, String Performance
- DMA, Voice Performance
- DMA, Woodwind Performance
- Theory Certificate
- M.A., Ethnomusicology
- M.A., Music Education
- M.A., Music History
- M.A., Music Theory
- MM, Brass Peformance
- MM, Choral Conducting
- MM, Composition
- MM, Harp and Guitar Performance
- MM, Harpsichord Performance
- MM, Instrumental Conducting
- MM, Jazz Studies and Improvised Music
- MM, Organ Performance
- MM, Percussion Performance
- MM, Piano Performance
- MM, String Performance
- MM, Voice Performance
- MM, Woodwind Performance
- PhD, Ethnomusicology
- PhD, Music Education
- PhD, Music History
- PhD, Music Theory
Cool Courses
Arts Division faculty offer engaging courses that will spark your creativity and sharpen your critical thinking. Take a look at just a few of the cool courses available, many of which don't require prerequisites or previous experience.
The Concert Season
By attending concerts on and off campus, and listening to online lectures and podcasts, students learn about a range of jazz and classical music styles.
Game Design in Live Performance
Students in DRAMA 480 learn how techniques used in game design can be adapted for interactive theater productions.
Introduction To 3D4M: Glass
This introductory studio course investigates glass as an artistic medium and its applications in the fine arts.
Divisional Dean of the Arts
Gabriel Solis
Assistant
Scott Devenny
206-543-7045\ sdevenny@uw.edu