Visual Art

Concentration Requirements

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Concentration Requirements

Students must file their concentration declaration by the end of their 4th semester. Once a student's concentration is declared, they are paired with a regular VA faculty member who will be their Concentration Advisor.

You can declare your concentration online via Brown's advising website, ASK.

A total of 11 courses are required for the VA concentration: three foundation courses, five upper level studios, and three Art History courses. Six of the eight studio courses (foundation and upper-level) have to be taken within the VA department. You may be eligible to include select RISD courses in studio art or art history for some of your concentration requirements. 
 
This page describes the VA Concentration requirements if you declared your concentration in Fall '24 semester or later. For students who declared prior to the Fall '24 semester, see VA Concentration requirements here. 

Category I: Analog 2D

  • VISA0100 - Studio Foundation
  • VISA0160 - Painting Foundation

Category II: Digital & 4D

  • VISA0120 - Foundation Media
  • VISA0140 - Photography Foundation
  • VISA0150 - Digital 2D Foundation

Category III: Spatial & 3D

  • VISA0130 - Sculpture Foundation
  • VISA0170 - Spatial Dynamics

Five upper level studio courses are required (numbered 1000 and above). Only one ISP or GISP can be counted towards the concentration. A minimum of three upper level studio courses must be taken within the Department of Visual Art at Brown.

Three HIAA courses in Art History are required. One course on 20th and/or 21st century art, one on non-Western practice, and one HIAA seminar. HIAA courses in Architectural Practice cannot be counted towards the Art History requirement.

See HIAA course offerings

Non-credit bearing project usually presented during the 7th or 8th semester.

Ask Advising Checklist - Fall 2024 and onward Ask Advising Checklist - Spring 2024 and prior