Learning Opportunities
Dive Deep Into the Arts
Your arts education at Biola University isn’t contained in the classroom. As an art student, you’ll join a vibrant community that loves to create, enjoy and study art together — every chance we get. From study abroad trips and visiting artist lectures to school-to-school collaborations and on-campus organizations, there’s no shortage of learning opportunities where you can put your arts education into practice.
Campus Art Community
Art students at Biola have countless opportunities to put their skills to use. On-campus organizations — groups like Student Missionary Union, the university yearbook staff and our campus newspaper, The Chimes — hire art majors as designers each year. The School of Cinema and Media Arts even offers art students the chance to be a part of a full cinematic production, with roles in design, art direction and more. Students can also participate in other groups like Art League or Virtual Reality Club, which help bring student artists together to practice and grow in community.
Student Portfolios
Our portfolio review, an annual requirement for all students in the Department of Art, is an important facet of how we train our art students. These portfolios are designed to help you develop the professional standards you’ll need when presenting your work to potential clients, galleries, viewers and more. You will also need this portfolio as a part of your application for departmental scholarships.
Visiting Artist Experiences
Throughout the year, practicing artists and designers join us on campus to share their work, process and insight into their careers. These visiting artist experiences can take the shape of departmental events or class-specific presentations. Biola’s Center for Christianity, Culture, and the Arts (CCCA) also provides students with additional opportunities to engage in significant conversations on theology and the arts.
Professional Opportunities
Biola’s campus is located just a short drive away from the Los Angeles art community — perfect for key professional growth opportunities like jobs and internships. You can tap into L.A.’s wide array of creative organizations and agencies, and experience all the galleries and museums the area has to offer. Art students have also collaborated on projects for the Biola Startup Competition, which gives students the opportunity to compete for startup funds for creative business initiatives. Our alumni are also an active part of our community, and our current students are able to build relationships with alumni who are currently out in the field pursuing their passions.
Enhancing Arts Education
Students in the Department of Art can hone their skills by spending time in our student studios. In addition to this, our faculty members are available as both teachers and mentors. Our faculty are accomplished artists in their own right, actively practicing their craft by presenting research and writing in prestigious venues, exhibiting studio work in galleries and museums, and more. Students can also take advantage of art study abroad opportunities (in locations such as Amsterdam, London, Paris and others), and can further enrich their studies by studying in programs like the Torrey Honors College.