A close up of a student using a large power tool to mix glaze that will be applied to their Ceramics work.

The Certificate in Art Studio allows students from across campus, regardless of their major or degree program, to engage in a structured, meaningful art studio experience. Students should work closely with their major advisor to see how the certificate requirements can fit into their degree plan. Note: Most art courses do not carry the LAS (L&S) designation. 

This certificate was designed for students who may not have professional ambitions in the arts, but still have an interest in a special discipline and want to develop their talents; previous coursework in art is not required.

The program provides a course of study in four focus areas: 2D, 3D, 4D, or photography. Students select one of these options and complete the courses required of this area of study. 

For each option, certificate students complete one course focusing on the historical context of art, one or two courses that provide a foundation for their chosen area, and two related electives that allow for the exploration and development of their skills specific to the area of focus.

Students interested in graphic design and typography should consider the Graphic Design Certificate, also offered through the Department of Art.

The Art Studio certificate may also appeal to individuals who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree in art, but now want to complete an emphasis in a different discipline; see the Nondegree/Visiting Student Guide. In these instances, the student will work closely with an advisor in the Department of Art to substitute higher-level courses for the foundational studio courses.

Declaration Process

Students intending to complete the Art Studio certificate can find the declaration form on the School of Education's Certificate Programs page. The declaration for this certificate program can be submitted at any time during the academic year.

Eligibility

Undergraduate students in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 or higher, who are not participating in the Art–B.S., Art Education, or Art–BFA degree programs, may declare this certificate. University Special students who have already completed a bachelor's degree are also eligible to complete this certificate.

The studio art certificate may be completed by any UW–Madison undergraduate student who is not a declared art major.

Select a course of study in one of four focus areas: 2D, 3D, 4D (time-based), or Photography, and complete the required courses. For each option, certificate students complete one course focusing on the historical context of art, one or two courses that provide a foundation for their chosen area, and two or three related electives that allow for the exploration and development of their skills.

The certificate requires a minimum total of 17–18 credits, depending on the selected area. A minimum of 12 of these credits must be completed in residence. It is possible to complete the certificate in three semesters, making it a viable option for most students, including transfers.

Historical Context of Art/Design

Students in all certificate focus areas must complete one of the following:

ART 100 Introduction to Art3
ART 108 Foundations of Contemporary Art3
ART 208 Current Directions in Art3
ART HIST 206 Survey of Photography: 1839 to 19893-4

Focus Areas

Focus One: Painting, Drawing, Printmaking

Ideal for the novice artist, as well as for students who want to develop previous skill in the creation of two-dimensional art. Students interested in pursuing this focus area can find more information about painting, drawing, and printmaking on the art department's website.

Painting, Drawing, Printmaking Requirements

Foundations
Complete one of the following:
ART 102 Two-Dimensional Design3
ART 112 Drawing I3
ART 212 Drawing Methods & Concepts (preferred)3
Development
Complete a minimum of three courses from the list.
ART 222 Introduction to Painting4
ART 232 Life Drawing I4
ART 242 Watercolor I4
ART 302 Color4
ART 306 Relief Printmaking4
ART 307 Making Comics 14
ART 312 Intermediate Drawing I4
ART 316 Lithography4
ART 322 Intermediate Painting I4
ART 326 Etching4
ART 332 Life Drawing II4
ART 336 Serigraphy4
ART 342 Watercolor II4
ART 348 Introduction to Digital Printmaking4
ART 446 Artists' Books4
ART 452 Intermediate Painting: New Figuration I4
ART 506 Advanced Relief Printmaking4
ART 507 Making Comics 24
ART 512 Advanced Drawing I4
ART 516 Advanced Lithography3
ART 522 Advanced Painting I4
ART 526 Advanced Etching/Intaglio4
ART 532 Advanced Life Drawing I4
ART 536 Advanced Serigraphy4
ART 542 Advanced Watercolor I4
ART 552 Advanced Painting: New Figuration II4
ART 612 Advanced Drawing II4
ART 622 Advanced Undergraduate Painting Workshop3
ART 632 Advanced Life Drawing II4
ART 636 Computer Augmented Printmaking4
ART 642 Advanced Watercolor II4

Focus TWO: 3D Forms

Ideal for the novice artist, as well as for students who want to develop previous skill in the creation of three-dimensional art. Students interested in pursuing this focus area can find more information about ceramics, glass and neon, metals/metalsmithing, sculpture/installations, and wood on the art department's website.

3D Forms Requirements

Foundations
Complete the following:
ART 104 Three-Dimensional Design3
ART 214 Sculpture I4
Development
Complete a minimum of two courses from the list.
ART 224 Ceramics I4
ART 244 Art Metal I4
ART 314 Sculpture II4
ART 324 Ceramics II4
ART 334 Wood Working4
ART 343 Metal Fabrication and Welding in Sculpture4
ART 354 Glassworking4
ART 409 Digital Fabrication Studio4
ART 414 Art Foundry3
ART 454 Neon: Light as Sculpture4
ART 514 Advanced Sculpture Workshop 14
ART 521 Installations and Environments4
ART 534 Advanced Wood Working4
ART 544 Advanced Art Metal I4
ART 554 Advanced Glassworking4
ART 614 Advanced Sculpture Workshop 23-4
ART 624 Advanced Ceramics II4
ART 644 Advanced Art Metal II4

Focus THREE: 4D-Digital, Time-based, Performative or Social Practice

Ideal for the novice artist, as well as for students who want to develop previous skill with new art genres. Students interested in pursuing this focus area can find more information about digital media and animation, or performance, video, or social practice on the art department's website.

4D-Digital, Time-based, Performative or Social Practice Requirements

Foundations
Complete the following:
ART 107 Introduction to Digital Forms3
Development
Complete minimum of three courses from list.
ART 309 Digital Art and Code4
ART 318 Introduction to Video, Performance & Installation Art4
ART 338 Service Learning in Art2
ART 348 Introduction to Digital Printmaking4
ART 393 Internships in Art1
ART 409 Digital Fabrication Studio4
ART 428 Digital Imaging Studio4
ART 429 3D Digital Studio I4
ART 470 Special Topics in 4D Art3-4
ART 511 Art Performance3-4
ART 518 Artist's Video4
ART 528 Digital Interactive Studio4
ART 529 3D Digital Studio II4
ART 570 Advanced Topics in 4D Art4
ART 531 Screen Performance3-4
ART 636 Computer Augmented Printmaking4
INTEGART 310 Interdisciplinary Artist in Residence Studio1-3

Focus FOUR: Photography (film and Digital)

Ideal for the novice artist, as well as for students who want to develop previous skill with photography. Students interested in pursuing this focus area can find more information about photography on the art department's website. ART HIST 206 Survey of Photography: 1839 to 1989 is highly recommended as the historical context course.

Photography Requirements

Foundations
Complete the following:
ART 176 Digital Photography for Non-Art Majors4
Development
Complete the following:
ART 376 Photography4
ART 476 Intermediate Photography4
ART 576 Advanced Photography4

Progress and Completion Requirements

A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 must be achieved and maintained across all certificate course work in order to remain in, and successfully complete the certificate. All courses required by the certificate must be taken for a grade; none may be taken on a pass/fail, credit/no credit basis or as an auditor.

At least 12 of the required credits must be completed in residence in the UW–Madison Department of Art. Courses taken in a study abroad program sponsored by UW–Madison do not count toward this residency requirement.

Undergraduate/Special Student Certificates

This certificate may be completed within the context of an undergraduate degree or as a Special student after an undergraduate degree has been awarded from any institution. The certificate may be completed in its entirety while enrolled as a Special student. Candidates are encouraged to contact the certificate coordinator to discuss course enrollment and the sequencing of certificate requirements. 

  1. Correctly identify and explain important eras in historical and contemporary art practice.
  2. Develop technical and conceptual skill in studio practice by consistently employing the elements and principles of effective visual art and/or design in their chosen focus area.

Information about faculty, staff, and other contributors to the Department of Art can be found on the department's website.