Visual Studies
Build your own degree and design your future at Ringling College of Art and Design. Our Visual Studies major allows students to self-direct their curriculum and focus on specific areas of study.
“Untitled”
Jayce Chung ’20
Forge your future in this self-directed BA program.
Our Visual Studies degree is one-of-a-kind and personally tailored to offer maximum flexibility and exploration. Today’s world requires nimble thinking. Learn to approach problems from different perspectives, build advanced problem-solving skills, explore the creative process, conduct critical analysis, and communicate ideas clearly and effectively. Study up to three minors while still receiving a top-quality liberal arts education paired with studio courses.
Minors
Build a custom program:
The BA in Visual Studies program is founded on choice. As a student of this major you can select a series of minors as your course of study and customize your learning experience. Visual Studies is designed to allow for flexibility, independent curriculum selection and choice. We emphasize breadth of experience and encourage exploration. Choose from these minors:
- Art History
- Business of Art + Design
- Creative Writing
- Film Studies
- Fine Arts
- Gender and Sexuality Studies
- Graphic Design
- Photography + Imaging
- Realistic Painting
- Visual Development
STUDENT WORK
Images
Video
Opportunities for students
- Career Services
- Internships
- Facilities
- Exhibition Opportunities
- The Collaboratory
The new, architecturally significant Richard & Barbara Basch Visual Arts Center sits at the center of campus, reminding everyone that, irrespective of major, our students are artists first and foremost. Created with both our students and community in mind, the Visual Arts Center was designed and built to accommodate hands-on fabrication and artmaking with its facilities for glass, woodworking, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and digital fabrication as well as time-based and computer driven work. While the exterior is visually stunning, the interior is designed for robust use—maximizing space, equipment, and collaboration.
Visual Studies students have countless opportunities to develop and curate professional exhibitions on campus. To familiarize students with the details of working with galleries, we provide a platform for students to write and submit exhibition proposals, develop gallery programming, and curate upcoming exhibitions.
We are proud to say that every Ringling student, regardless of major, is guaranteed the opportunity to gain professional work experience. Our Collaboratory Commitment pairs teams of Ringling students with local businesses to give students a taste of real-world projects, expectations, and deadlines. Facilitated by Collaboratory staff, students will meet with clients looking for creative, unconventional solutions to their branding and design challenges and execute the entire creative process of concepting, presenting, and building campaigns that meet their demands.
For Ringling students and alumni, we offer training and career preparation services, such as job search strategies, resume reviewing, interview training, and portfolio building. We bring recruiters from the top creative companies around the world to deliver presentations and interview students. Attend career events, ask questions, and get the information you need to make thoughtful choices about your future.
The new, architecturally significant Richard & Barbara Basch Visual Arts Center sits at the center of campus, reminding everyone that, irrespective of major, our students are artists first and foremost. Created with both our students and community in mind, the Visual Arts Center was designed and built to accommodate hands-on fabrication and artmaking with its facilities for glass, woodworking, printmaking, photography, sculpture, and digital fabrication as well as time-based and computer driven work. While the exterior is visually stunning, the interior is designed for robust use—maximizing space, equipment, and collaboration.
Visual Studies students have countless opportunities to develop and curate professional exhibitions on campus. To familiarize students with the details of working with galleries, we provide a platform for students to write and submit exhibition proposals, develop gallery programming, and curate upcoming exhibitions.
We are proud to say that every Ringling student, regardless of major, is guaranteed the opportunity to gain professional work experience. Our Collaboratory Commitment pairs teams of Ringling students with local businesses to give students a taste of real-world projects, expectations, and deadlines. Facilitated by Collaboratory staff, students will meet with clients looking for creative, unconventional solutions to their branding and design challenges and execute the entire creative process of concepting, presenting, and building campaigns that meet their demands.
The Ringling College Studio Lab program is an opportunity to work top-tier industry professionals. This program connects aspiring film and production students to the best known filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, directors, and actors from around the world. Collaborate with, listen to, and engage with well known leaders in the industry, such as Tim Blake Nelson, Justin Long, Marisa Tomei, and Jeffrey Wright, who are coming to Ringling College to share their insights and meet emerging talent right here in Sarasota.
Liberal Arts
Believe it or not, the success of today’s most recognized artists, designers, and creative leaders hinges not only on the mastery of their technique. In fact, history’s most successful creative works address current social, political, and ideological questions. They push boundaries and ask the audience to respond. They are approachable but they lead the viewer into the depths of today’s most complicated issues.
The trailblazers of today know what questions to ask, how to engage their audience, and who they are speaking to—all skills acquired in the comprehensive Liberal Arts program at Ringling College. Liberal Arts courses are taught by artists and designers and developed specifically to inform the artwork and aid the development of our emerging creatives.
In this program, we explore myriad cultures, taboo ideas, psychology, science fiction, classical mythology, scientific theories and so much more. Students enter discussions and question standing norms. They emerge as artists and designers who are relevant, thoughtful, and original.
We teach tomorrow’s great artists, designers, storytellers, and writers how to apply their studio skills to answering today’s most profound questions.
Employment Opportunities
Visual Studies graduates will find opportunities across many different industries.
Here are a few examples of jobs that are available for our grads:
Visual Studies graduates will find opportunities across many different industries. Here are a few examples of jobs that are available for our grads:
Archivist
Art Critic
Art Director
Art Historian
Art History Professor
Arts Journalist
Arts Manager
Communications Executive
Copywriter
Curator
Designer
Filmmaker
Marketing Manager
Researcher
Screenwriter
Social Activist
Studio Artist
Writer
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have, just send us an email at the addresses below.
Admissions Questions
(applying, portfolio, transfers, deadlines, events)
admissions@ringling.edu
General Questions
info@ringling.edu
Media Inquiries
(contact, releases, news)
Accessibility Inquiries
communications@ringling.edu
