Rutgers‒Camden Expands Educational Options in Fine Arts
The New Jersey Council of Presidents has approved Rutgers University-Camden’s bachelor of fine arts degree in visual art, which will expand concentration areas for students interested in artistic fields. Rutgers‒Camden will begin offering the B.F.A. in the fall of 2023.
Students will have the option to pursue concentrations such as graphic design, painting and drawing, sculpture, and animation.
“The B.F.A. in visual arts expands opportunities for our talented artists to hone their skills of our talented artists, empowering them to become graphic designers, animators, and leaders in a variety of creative fields,” says Rutgers University–Camden Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis.
The New Jersey Presidents’ Council, which represents the state’s public, private, and community colleges and universities, recently approved the creation of the degree. In December, The Rutgers Board of Governors gave its approval.
“This is an intensive, professional degree, so students will have the opportunity to take more courses in their areas of specialization,” said Kenneth Elliott, chair of the Rutgers–Camden Department of Visual, Media and Performing Arts and an associate professor of theater. “Many employers today view the B.F.A. as an important credential. The degree will make us much more competitive with other schools in the area, and enable us to attract top students.”
The B.F.A. in visual art will build upon the existing Rutgers University–Camden bachelor of arts degree and is another step forward in Rutgers–Camden’s advancement of art education in South Jersey. It will broaden course offerings, giving students greater support in their educational and career goals. Fine-arts and art-history faculty, including award-winning graphic design professor Allan Espirutu, Margery Amdur (painting and drawing), Elizabeth Demaray (sculpture), LiQin Tan (animation), and Stass Shpanin (painting and drawing), are among those teaching the courses.
“This program puts Rutgers–Camden on the cutting edge of art education and opens up a world of career possibilities for our students,” said Rutgers University–Camden Provost Daniel Hart.
