The School of Visual Arts prepares undergraduates to enter visual design professions and graduate programs in the visual arts. The School serves the public, regionally, nationally, and internationally through events, exhibitions, internships, competitions, workshops, and courses that nourish and renew the vitality of art and design as it interfaces with technology.
A goal of the school is to present the world with culture-enriching leaders, talented visual communicators, and innovative designers. The studies of Art History, Studio Arts, Creative Tech and Graphic Design lead to careers in museums, auction houses, galleries, graphic design, computer animation, and more. SOVA’s FourDesign is the school’s professional student-run, faculty-led graphic design agency.
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
965 Prices Fork Rd, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061
Phone: (540) 231-6267
FAX (540) 231-3242
Email: admissions@vt.edu
Prospective students wishing to study Art or Art History at SOVA should apply through Virginia Tech Admissions. All students who wish to pursue a bachelor of fine arts in the Studio, Creative Technology (CT) or Graphic Design programs must take foundation art courses (ART 1204, 1404, 1604).
Students planning to transfer to Virginia Tech from another institution or current Virginia Tech students that want to change their major should contact our academic advisor, Tracey Drowne at hokies@vt.edu.
The minimum laptop requirements are as follows for Studio Art, Graphic Design and Creative Technologies (CT):
Macbook Pro 16-inch (or equivalent Window-based laptop for CT)
16 GB memory
Quad Core i7
minimum 256 SSD (512 highly recommend)
The cost of the Macbook can range from $1800 – $2799+, depending on the specifications. Basically, any latest 16-inch MacBook Pro will do the job. But get the highest spec you can afford! Get AppleCare +! (at least AppleCare).
Adobe Creative Cloud is required for majoring in Studio, Graphic Design, and CT (see below).
Adobe Creative Cloud subscription will provide updated software requirements for Foundations of Art and Design courses. Billing and distribution is managed by VT Software per annual base. Annual cost is much lower then you would pay as an individual. Once the fall semester starts, students need to go to Student Software Distribution for sign up.
The SOVA Foundations of Art and Design curriculum in the first and second semesters will supply students with the necessary information and proficiency to continue in their chosen major beyond their first year.
Studio Art, Creative Tech and Graphic Design candidates must be currently enrolled or have passed all three Foundation courses (1204, 1404 and 1604). The SOVA Foundations of Art and Design curriculum in the first and second semesters will supply students with the necessary information and proficiency to continue in their chosen major beyond their first year.
Students must have and maintain a QCA of 2.0 to remain in Studio Art, CT and GD programs.
Students will participate in a Foundations exhibition at the end of their first year. All artwork must be original and produced by the applicant.
To be eligible for the Foundations exhibition, Studio, CT and GD majors must have successfully passed all three fall semester Foundation courses with a C- or higher and must be currently enrolled in or have successfully passed their required spring semester Foundation courses.
Contact Jennifer Hand, Foundations Coordinator, with any questions. (email: jennilc@vt.edu)