Students
GETTING STARTED
Prospective students, both freshmen applicants as well as transfer students, should declare ART as their major. Students must then be accepted to Virginia Tech, SOVA is not involved in the acceptance process. Once accepted, students will be enrolled in the three prerequisite courses: ART 1204 Principles of Art and Design, ART 1404 Drawing I, and ART 1604 Principles of New Media Art & Design for the fall semester.
OUR MISSION
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.
VISITING OR APPLYING TO SOVA
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).
Transfer Student Information
FRESHMAN AND TRANSFER ADMISSIONS INFORMATION
Students planning to transfer to Virginia Tech from another institution or current Virginia Tech students that want to change their major should contact Ray Callahan.
FOUNDATIONS
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.
ELIGIBILITY
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.
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.
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.
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
MacBook Pro is recommended laptop. If you have a recent computer less than two years old, you can keep using it. Update once in school with better insight rather than buying new as a freshman.
Apple is transitioning to Apple Silicon. It would be wise to get the new Macs with an M1 processor. Ideally 14inch or 16inch version. If you need a bigger monitor, add an external monitor for home use. Get AppleCare +!
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
Adobe Creative Cloud is required for majoring in Studio, Graphic Design, and CT. 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.
For ART HISTORY MAJORS
Students should follow the University minimum computing requirements. Art History students may find it beneficial to purchase a Macbook for use in foundation studio art class.