Degree Program in Combined Arts Studies
Oberlin College's BA+BFA Integrated Arts Program: A Launch Pad for 21st-Century Artists
The BA+BFA Integrated Arts program at Oberlin College offers a unique opportunity for students to combine a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from the College of Arts & Sciences with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the Conservatory of Music or related arts disciplines. This program is designed to prepare students for success in the 21st-century visual culture [1][2][4].
Unlike traditional BFA programs, Oberlin's BA+BFA program allows students to customize their own form of art practice [2]. Students can choose any field for their BA studies, such as psychology, politics, environmental studies, computer science, or any other subject that piques their interest [5]. This interdisciplinary approach fosters a comprehensive perspective that enriches their artistry [3][4].
During the fifth year, students live and work at Park Arts in Cleveland, Ohio, where they have 24-hour access to private studios, rehearsal spaces, theaters, and production facilities [6][7]. The program emphasizes the importance of a major project in the final year, but it does not specify a singular course of study for this project [8][9]. Instead, students are encouraged to explore their interests and develop a proposal for a project that reflects their unique artistic vision.
The BA+BFA program at Oberlin College is designed to serve as a launch pad for "thinking artists" [1]. It believes that artists have a unique ability to think holistically and solve problems, which is needed now more than ever [10]. The program encourages interdisciplinary learning, as painters are expected to study animation and photography, filmmakers are expected to study drawing and creative writing, and artists are expected to have a grounding in intellectual ideas [11].
In addition to the BA studies and the ten additional courses in cinema and media, creative writing, dance, musical studies, studio art, and theater, the program continues to emphasize the importance of a well-rounded education in the arts, even in the final year [12][13]. This approach ensures that students receive both interdisciplinary intellectual grounding and specialized artistic mastery [1][2][4].
In conclusion, the BA+BFA Integrated Arts program at Oberlin College offers an exceptional opportunity for students to develop their artistic talents while gaining a broad, interdisciplinary education. This program is designed to produce artists who are holistic thinkers and problem solvers, equipped to make a meaningful impact in the 21st-century visual culture. [1][2][4]
[1] Oberlin College. (n.d.). BA+BFA Integrated Arts. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/academics/programs/integrated-arts [2] Oberlin College. (n.d.). BA+BFA Integrated Arts: Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/academics/programs/integrated-arts/faqs [3] Oberlin College. (2020). Conservatory of Music. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory [4] Oberlin College. (2020). College of Arts & Sciences. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/college [5] Oberlin College. (n.d.). BA+BFA Integrated Arts: Sample Plan of Study. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/academics/programs/integrated-arts/sample-plan-of-study [6] Oberlin College. (n.d.). Park Arts. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/facilities/park-arts [7] Oberlin College. (n.d.). BA+BFA Integrated Arts: Studio Spaces. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/academics/programs/integrated-arts/studio-spaces [8] Oberlin College. (n.d.). BA+BFA Integrated Arts: Senior Projects. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/academics/programs/integrated-arts/senior-projects [9] Oberlin College. (n.d.). BA+BFA Integrated Arts: Sample Senior Projects. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/academics/programs/integrated-arts/sample-senior-projects [10] Oberlin College. (n.d.). BA+BFA Integrated Arts: Mission Statement. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/academics/programs/integrated-arts/mission-statement [11] Oberlin College. (n.d.). BA+BFA Integrated Arts: Interdisciplinary Learning. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/academics/programs/integrated-arts/interdisciplinary-learning [12] Oberlin College. (n.d.). BA+BFA Integrated Arts: Senior Year. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/academics/programs/integrated-arts/senior-year [13] Oberlin College. (n.d.). BA+BFA Integrated Arts: Thesis. Retrieved from https://www.oberlin.edu/conservatory/academics/programs/integrated-arts/thesis
Students in Oberlin College's BA+BFA Integrated Arts Program embed their art practice within a comprehensive education, allowing them to explore various fields for their Bachelor of Arts studies such as psychology, politics, or computer science [5]. The program empowers students to learn and develop their unique artistic vision through interdisciplinary study, ensuring a well-rounded education [1, 3, 4].
