University of Chicago

What you'll study

This interdisciplinary programme balances practical studio and performance training with critical courses in art history, theory and performance studies. Students typically take a mix of foundation studio or performance courses, intermediate and advanced practice workshops, and seminars in aesthetics, history and contemporary theory.

• Studio and practice: drawing, painting, sculpture, digital media, photography, sound and time-based media, scene and set design, movement and voice work for performers.
• Performance and production: ensemble performance, directing, dramaturgy, technical production, stagecraft, collaborative creation and site-specific work.
• Theory and history: courses in visual culture, modern and contemporary art history, performance theory, critical methods and arts criticism.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: opportunities to take courses in related departments such as Music, Theatre and Performance Studies, Cinema and Media Studies, Classics, Philosophy, and Social Sciences to situate creative work within broader contexts.
• Capstone / final project: most students complete a substantial culminating project or senior exhibition/performance accompanied by a written contextualising essay or portfolio review.

Teaching formats include studio/technique classes, small seminars, one‑to‑one critiques, ensemble rehearsals, and public performances or exhibitions. The programme encourages collaborative projects and cross‑disciplinary research, with elective pathways that allow students to emphasise either visual arts, performing arts, or a hybrid practice.

Entry requirements

Admission to the College at the University of Chicago is selective and based on a holistic review of academic record, recommendations and application materials. Applicants to practice‑based tracks should be prepared to submit a portfolio or audition, depending on their chosen concentration. Useful elements of an application typically include:

• Strong secondary school academic record demonstrating preparation in relevant subjects.
• College application (Common App or Coalition) with the University of Chicago’s required essays.
• Letters of recommendation from teachers who can speak to academic and creative potential.
• For studio and performance applicants: a portfolio of creative work, recordings, or an audition; requirements and formats are provided by the department.
• Optional but recommended: an arts résumé, programme notes, or evidence of participation in exhibitions, performances, festivals or community arts projects.

There are no fixed technical prerequisites for entry beyond demonstrated potential and preparation; successful applicants typically show a combination of intellectual curiosity, creative commitment and readiness for rigorous classroom and studio work.

Career prospects

Graduates from the Visual and Performing Arts pathway pursue a wide range of careers that combine creative practice with cultural leadership, pedagogy and entrepreneurship. Typical destinations include:

• Professional artist, performer, composer or director working in gallery, theatre, film, music or interdisciplinary contexts.
• Curator, exhibition coordinator or collections specialist in museums and galleries.
• Arts administrator, producer or project manager in cultural institutions, festivals and nonprofit organisations.
• Designer, creative technologist or media producer for commercial studios, design agencies and digital media firms.
• Educator and arts‑based community practitioner, including secondary and tertiary teaching (often following further certification or graduate study).
• Further study in MFA, MA or PhD programmes in studio art, performance studies, art history, design or related fields.

Students also leave with transferable skills valued across sectors: critical thinking, project management, collaborative practice, public presentation, and experience working with diverse audiences and institutions.

Why study at University of Chicago

The University of Chicago offers a distinctive combination of rigorous intellectual training and practical creative resources. The college’s Core curriculum ensures all students engage deeply with critical inquiry and writing, enriching creative work with historical and theoretical perspectives.

• Facilities: access to dedicated studios, rehearsal rooms, performance spaces and the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts, which hosts exhibitions, performances and technical support for student projects.
• Interdisciplinary culture: close collaboration across departments—such as Visual Arts, Theatre and Performance Studies, Music and Cinema—supports hybrid practices and experimental work.
• Chicago’s cultural ecosystem: proximity to world‑class museums, theatres, galleries and a vibrant independent arts scene provides internship, presenting and networking opportunities.
• Faculty mentorship: students study with faculty who are practising artists, scholars and theatre-makers, and benefit from small classes, individual critiques and mentorship for creative careers or graduate study.

Together, these elements create an environment where rigorous scholarship and ambitious creative practice are pursued in equal measure, preparing graduates to contribute to contemporary arts and cultural life in multiple ways.