About Department of Visual Arts
The UC San Diego Department of Visual Arts ranks among the world’s leading art schools. Founded on the principle that the production, critical analysis and history of art are inter-related activities, we offer undergraduate and graduate programs in both art practice and art history. MFA students have opportunities to participate in residencies, exhibitions and events at local, national and international venues. Our PhD students regularly present papers at scholarly conferences and curate exhibitions on and off campus. We are also one of the few departments in the world to offer a PhD in Art History with a Concentration in Art Practice, for working artists who engage with art historical and cultural research.
What ultimately makes our department so exciting is its faculty, its location and its relationship to the greater university. Our faculty and students have the opportunity to collaborate with leading researchers in the sciences, engineering, literature, music, philosophy, ethnic studies and all the vast initiatives and resources of such a distinguished institution. We believe that both our students and faculty from across the university benefit from this exchange, which promotes innovative and creative thinking across disciplines.
Amy Adler
Professor and Chair, 2018