Prospective Art Students
Whether you plan to become a studio artist, a graphic designer, an art historian or an art teacher, the Department of Art is here to help you reach your goals. Exciting times lie ahead for Radford Arts, and we hope you’ll be a part of it!
Admission to Our Program
The Department of Art does not require a portfolio review or any special requirements beyond the regular admissions process. Knowing that our students come from all walks of life and have varying levels of exposure to the arts, the department prefers not to place an extra barrier to admission. It is the belief of our department that incoming students can be coached up and prepared for success by our talented, caring faculty.
Our Accreditation
Radford University is one of only five institutions in Virginia accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
NASAD is the top national accrediting agency for art and design programs, and accreditation recognizes high quality instruction, facilities, and support. Fewer than 350 schools in the nation have received this prestigious accreditation!
Optimized Learning Environment
The Department of Art's student-to-faculty ratio is only 14:1, providing an optimized learning environment where the student is not just a number. This enables our faculty to be deeply involved in the success of each student, often maintaining their professional relationships long after graduation.
The Art faculty are experts in their fields with exhibitions, presentations, publications, awards, and commissioned works for regional, national and international forums. Our faculty all have years of professional and workplace experience to pass on to students.
Our Location
Radford University is conveniently located on the banks of the New River in beautiful Southwest Virginia with many outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, climbing, fishing, tubing and kayaking just at your doorstep. Radford is known for its vibrant and diverse student population, traditional brick campus, and beautiful backdrop of rivers, lakes, and mountains.
Coming Soon: Artis Center for Adaptive Innovation and Creativity
The Department of Art will soon be relocating to the new Artis Center for Adaptive Creativity and Innovation, a $97.8 million, 178,000 square foot facility housing the entire College of Visual and Performing Arts. The Artis Center is expected to open in fall 2024.