Virginia Commonwealth University

What you'll study

The programme combines foundational studio courses with guided specialisation in visual or performing arts. In the early years you can expect core foundation modules that develop technical skills and visual literacy across drawing, colour, two- and three-dimensional design, and introductory performance practice.

• Studio foundations: drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and ceramics to build technical facility and critical observation.
• Digital and new media: photography, video, digital imaging, animation and interactive media for contemporary visual practice.
• Performance training: voice, movement, acting, ensemble work and performance production for students focusing on theatre, dance or music.
• Collaborative projects: interdisciplinary workshops and cross-department collaborations that bring visual artists and performers together on site-specific or media-rich projects.
• Professional practice: courses in portfolio development, exhibition strategies, grant-writing basics, arts entrepreneurship and stagecraft/production skills.
• Theory and context: art history, performance studies, critical theory and contemporary practice seminars that situate studio and stage work within broader cultural conversations.

Later-stage study allows concentration in a chosen area—such as painting, sculpture, digital media, theatre performance, stage design or composition—culminating in a capstone exhibition or final performance project. Students also typically take elective options across VCUarts departments and may participate in internships with galleries, theatre companies and cultural organisations in Richmond.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold the equivalent of a secondary school diploma with a strong academic record and demonstrable commitment to artistic practice. Typical entry components include:

• Submission of a portfolio of visual work for studio-track applicants; the portfolio should show recent, sustained creative work and evidence of technical and conceptual development.
• An audition or performance dossier for applicants seeking admission to theatre, dance or music pathways; this may include live audition, recorded samples, or jury materials as specified by the department.
• A personal statement that describes artistic interests, influences and reasons for applying to the interdisciplinary programme.
• Academic transcripts and, where requested, letters of recommendation from teachers or arts mentors.
• Proof of English language proficiency for international applicants when English is not the applicant’s first language (tests or institutional equivalents are accepted according to VCU requirements).

Specific portfolio/audition guidelines and any additional departmental criteria are provided by the School of the Arts; prospective students should consult VCUarts for detailed submission instructions.

Career prospects

Graduates enter a broad range of creative and cultural careers. Professional outcomes commonly include:

• Fine artist, illustrator or multimedia artist exhibiting work in galleries and alternative spaces.
• Performer, actor, dancer, musician or ensemble artist working in theatre, film, music or contemporary performance.
• Design and production roles such as stage and set designer, lighting/sound technician, costume designer or production manager.
• Curatorial and gallery positions, arts administration, programme coordination and community arts development.
• Creative industries roles in media, advertising, animation, UX/UI and digital content production.
• Education and outreach careers, including arts teaching, workshop facilitation and public programming; some graduates pursue postgraduate study in fine art, performance, design, education or arts management.

Internships, industry placements and the programme’s ties to Richmond’s active cultural sector help students build professional networks and practical experience prior to graduation.

Why study at Virginia Commonwealth University

VCU’s School of the Arts is embedded in a city known for an active and accessible arts ecology, offering students frequent exhibition, performance and collaboration opportunities. The university provides dedicated studio spaces, theatres, digital labs and fabrication facilities that support both traditional craft and experimental practices.

• Interdisciplinary culture: VCU encourages cross-department collaboration so students can combine visual and performing arts approaches in their work.
• Resources and facilities: access to professional-grade studios, theaters, a maker lab, print workshops and on-campus galleries supports practice-based learning.
• Professional connections: partnerships with local arts organisations, galleries, and performance companies in Richmond create pathways for internships and community-engaged projects.
• Faculty and visiting artists: instruction from practising artists, performers and scholars, alongside visiting practitioners, provides current industry perspective and mentorship.

For students wanting an applied, studio- and performance-focused education in a compact arts city, this programme offers the technical training, critical context and professional preparation needed to begin a creative career or continue to advanced study.