Creative and Performing Arts There are, at last count, just over a zillion people who want to be an artist of some sort, an actress, a painter, a jazz musician. The desire to express oneself is one of the more universal of human traits. The knowledge and discipline needed to express oneself in any meaningful way is not so common. To achieve that you have to take your unique self and learn a craft, a tradition, and a way of being. That's where we come in. We offer degrees in a variety of fields. A degree is a short-hand way of letting a very busy and crowded world know that you've done your apprenticeship, that you have a certain amount of talent, knowledge, discipline, and that you're worth a look. We offer an environment, a major university, and big city exposure to the arts. We even introduce students to the arts in Pittsburgh through our PITT ARTS Program--a University-funded program that provides transportation and a sponsor to cultural events and sometimes the opportunity to meet personally with artists and performers. That's no small thing. Art museums, large and small, galleries and the excitement of opening nights; theaters, traditional and experimental, professional and amateur; chamber music, jazz bars, recitals, and festivals. We offer an opportunity to meet and learn from established artists and also to meet fellow apprentices, to change and be changed. Art Appreciation The arts are a form of universal language that speaks to the human spirit across cultural, ethnic, geographic, and historical boundaries. Anyone who wants to be an artist needs to become familiar with the work of other artists. But everyone, whether they are an engineer, politician, doctor, educator, or other can enrich their daily lives by cultivating an appreciation of art, music, theatre, and architecture. You may even make the study and teaching (or criticism) of the arts your life's work. Pitt offers courses in the history, appreciation, and theory of art, as well as in performance and creative arts. The Degrees Anyone considering a degree in the creative or performing arts needs to understand the distinction between a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. A BA degree offers the dual advantage of a specialization in your major (typically ranging from thirty to forty-two percent of your degree and even up to fifty percent, if you so choose) along with a distribution of studies in other arts and sciences areas that give you the versality and flexibility of a liberal arts degree. A BFA degree is primarily structured around your major, giving you the advantage of greater depth, but less flexibility. The University of Pittsburgh offers BA, rather than BFA degrees in the creative and performing arts. Architectural Studies Architectural studies is a pre-professional major focusing on the study of man-made environments. Comprised of a core of introductory classes, studio arts classes, and history of architecture classes, the major is excellent preparation for graduate study in architecture. A certificate in civil engineering is also available. Note: The University does not offer a professional program in architecture. History of Art and Architecture The study of art and architecture addresses the history and aesthetics of art and architecture, art and architecture as expressions of different cultures, philosophies, and times, as well as individual geniuses. Music Music students are introduced to many branches of study including theory, composition, analysis, history, criticism, jazz, ethnomusicology, and performance. A major with a concentration in jazz studies is also available. Students are encouraged to double major. The department sponsors an annual Pitt Jazz Seminar, which brings musicians from all over the country. Studio Arts The studio arts degree prepares students for a career in an art-related field. The lower and upper-level art classes include the study of design, color, painting (figure, portrait, and landscape), drawing, sculpture, etching, lithography, and graphic design. Courses in electronic media are available for art majors through cross-registration at Carnegie Mellon University, a few blocks away. Internships for credit are also available. The department is conveniently located across the street from the city of Pittsburgh's Scaife Art Museum. Thanks to the PITT ARTS Program, you can attend for free with a valid Pitt ID card. Theatre Arts Study acting, directing, design, technical theater, theater history, costume design, stage makeup, playwriting, children's theater, and criticism to help you develop your specialties. Internships, directed studies, and independent studies are also available. Students take Shakespeare to local schools, where they perform and teach. The Next Stop This one's up to you. Intrigued? Contact us for more information or delve deeper into our arts and sciences programs and majors. We have lots more to tell you about the university, the classes you'd take, and the environment we offer. We can promise you this: it's ample. Our size, location, and experience guarantee it. You'll never lack a choice in your classes or where to go or what to do. We provide the training and along with more than a little help from the city, the aesthetic experiences and opportunities are almost boundless.