Major Advising Page: Art
The Art Department encourages art students to explore study abroad programs that are engaged with contemporary issues and studio practices while allowing access to world-class museums and galleries.
Course considerations
As an art major, you will need to plan in advance what kind of courses you wish to take abroad. In order to stay on track with a four-year academic plan, you will likely need to incorporate at least one or two studio art courses into your time abroad. This will lead you to consider either a program that is an art school abroad, or a program that offers art as a subject of study among other course offerings. It is the expectation of the UW Art Department that for any art class you take abroad, you will engage with contemporary, rigorous studio practices.
Art majors are encouraged to take required art history courses abroad in regions with important art museums and galleries. Most art studio courses taken through a university abroad, rather than through an art school abroad, will transfer as Art 448 Special Topics in Art. This class counts toward an art major’s studio electives requirement. For specific equivalencies, please talk with an art advisor prior to enrollment in your study abroad classes.
Art studio credits may count toward the L&S degree’s open electives, and some classes will satisfy requirements for students in textile design, interior architecture, and landscape architecture programs. It’s always important to check with your academic advisor regarding your study abroad courses and how they may fit into your academic plan.
Established IAP study abroad programs typically have a list of courses that are equated as specific Art major courses. Knowing which program you are applying to will help your academic advisor navigate those course lists to help in your academic planning.
Map your experience as an
art student
Art majors must complete their advanced-level studio courses on the UW–Madison campus; thus are encouraged to study abroad in the summer, during the sophomore year, or fall of junior year. To avoid falling behind in studio development, art majors should plan to study abroad for no more than one semester.
Prospective students
If you think you want to study abroad in an art program but have not declared your art major or art certificate, talk with the art department academic advisors sooner rather than later and review the undergraduate degree requirements. There are three options in the art major and one certificate, and depending on which program you are in, you may have different considerations for the type of academics found in a study abroad program.
Freshman year
Students who plan to declare the art major typically spend their first year completing required foundations courses.
Sophomore or junior year
Art majors are strongly encouraged to study abroad during their sophomore or junior year, as your advanced-level studio courses must be completed on campus.
Senior year
Studying abroad in your senior year as an art major is still possible if you have already completed your art major requirements and still need to satisfy general education and liberal studies electives. Students in a BFA degree must complete the BFA capstone course and exhibition in the spring of their graduating term.
Ask questions
- What classes must I complete for my degree (breadth/depth, major requirements, etc.)?
- Do I need to be on UW–Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
- How many electives do I have outside of my major?
- What classes can I take abroad?
- How and when do I select courses for my program?
- When will I know course equivalents for my program?
- What is the class structure like abroad?
- What skills do careers related to my major require, and how might participating in a particular program help me gain those skills?
- When would be the best time to participate in a program based on my career goals?
- How will participating in a study abroad, study away, or international internship make me stand out?
- Why do I want to study abroad?
- How long do I want to study abroad for — a few weeks, a semester, a year?
- How does studying abroad fit into my academic, personal, and/or professional goals?
- What career skills or proficiencies will I strive to acquire or enhance on my program?
Discover programs that are right for you
All study abroad programs will offer a different experience in terms of the courses offered, academic style, duration of study (academic year, semester, or summer), type of housing, student body population, and location. Each program listed offers studio art courses, with varying degrees of studio course options. However, courses offered as part of these programs may not be guaranteed to be the best fit for you, depending on where you are in the major, so be sure to check with your academic advisor in your study abroad planning.
In this section
These opportunities are not an exhaustive list of all programs.
Studio art programs
Italy
Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) (semester and summer)
The UW art department designates the SRISA program as one that meets the department’s philosophy of teaching and learning for art majors. Located in the heart of Florence, Italy, this English-speaking program allows you to explore the rich tradition of Italian art and offers the most access to courses that can satisfy the UW art program requirements.
Portugal
UW City as Studio: Drawing in Portugal (summer)
A program led by faculty from UW–Madison’s art department.
Programs that offer studio art courses
Argentina
UW Activism Through the Arts (winter intersession)
Denmark
Italy
Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA) (semester and summer)
Portugal
United States
Wild Rockies Field Institute (summer)
Summer session in Southwest Climate Studio Art (Study Away)
International Internships
International internships allow you to apply your academic skills to the real world and gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning UW–Madison course credit.
As you consider your academic and professional goals for studying abroad, explore the different internship options, including UW Signature internships, internship-focused programs, part-time internships, or applying for credit for an external internship.
Check with your academic advisor to see if earning credit for your internship abroad can fulfill a major or certificate requirement.
Hear from students in your major
Explore student blogs and reflections to see how your peers have connected international experiences to their studies. Discover real stories about the skills, challenges, and professional insights gained through our programs.
Photo credit: Rowan Seffens (Argentina)
Want more information?
Dive deeper into how courses and credits work on our programs, or connect with an advisor to find the best fit for your goals.
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