Bachelor of Arts in Art and Performance

“The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without work.”

— Emile Zola, 19th Century French playwright and novelist

Artists create the cultural icons by which civilizations are remembered. What would America’s cultural identity be without the musical contributions of George Gershwin, the exquisite desert paintings and sculpture of Georgia O’Keeffe or the lighthearted cinematic and theatrical work of Nathan Lane?

Careers in Art and Performance

The combination of creativity, communication and critical thinking skills fostered by the School of Arts and Humanities makes this degree applicable to a variety of occupations. Aside from the mainstream career paths of teaching or working in arts organizations and museum settings, students with an art and performance degree may find employment in government, nonprofit or social science sectors.

The University’s Career Center is an important resource for students pursuing postgraduate employment. Licensed counselors are available to provide strategies for mastering job interviews, writing professional cover letters and resumes, and connecting with campus recruiters, among other services.

High School Preparation

To successfully obtain a bachelor’s degree in art and performance, you should possess an appreciation for the spectrum of current art forms and an insatiable appetite for learning about historical and emerging mediums. Beneficial high school preparation includes four years of English and social science, including history; two to three years of a single foreign language; and at least one year of arts curriculum.

Art and Performance at UT Dallas

Aspiring artists can find an academic home at UT Dallas, which currently boasts more than 80 courses in music, visual arts, creative writing, film studies, dance, theatre, art history and more. Students must successfully complete 120 hours to graduate, with 42 hours from the University’s core curriculum and 45 in the major. Students are attracted to the art and performance program at UT Dallas because they can study across disciplines. Students may design their coursework around one or more of the following areas: art history, visual arts, creative writing, photography, music (performance or composition), theatre (acting or technical), dance or film studies. Students also will complete history and literature courses that expand their scholarly knowledge of the field.