Science and Arts (BSA)

Program Introduction

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) program at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) provides students with innovative art education that combines traditional art practices with cutting-edge technology. This four-year program emphasizes conceptual thinking, technical proficiency, and interdisciplinary collaboration, designed to help students develop their own unique artistic vision and practice. The program offers students the freedom and support to explore a wide range of media and methodologies, from painting, drawing, and sculpture to digital media, video, installation, and socially engaged art. Carnegie Mellon's BFA program features a low student-to-faculty ratio and tight-knit community environment, where students receive personalized mentorship from faculty who are professional artists and educators. The program encourages experimentation and risk-taking, challenging students to critically examine the social, political, and cultural contexts of their artistic work. Additionally, through collaborative opportunities with other departments and programs at Carnegie Mellon, students can develop art practices that intersect with various fields such as computer science, robotics, design, and humanities. Students are prepared for diverse careers as professional artists, curators, educators, designers, and more through practical experiences, exhibition opportunities, and professional networking.