Graduate Sculpture
The M.F.A. degree program is an intensive, 60-credit studio degree designed to prepare students to become professional artists in the field. Graduate students are typically awarded a technical assistantship in the first year and a teaching assistantship in the second year. The 1st and 2nd year assistantship include a tuition waiver and stipend. Graduate students are generally given shared studio space within the School of Art building and may gain 24-hour access to the Sculpture and Integrated Studio facilities.
For 3D oriented students focusing on Sculpture, the program encourages a cross-discipline intermedia approach to research and the production of aesthetic works. In the first year students are expected to develop a research focus that allows them the ability to identify subjects for their work and begin to locate that work contextually within contemporary discursive space of Sculpture. Students will be expected to produce a substantial amount of artwork in both the first and second semester of their first year. The development of strong independent artistic practice is essential if a student expects to move forward into their second year of study. In completion of their first year, Sculpture students will produce a public exhibition of their work as a final measure of achievement. Faculty in the area strongly encourage students to be extra diligent and productive over the summer between their first and second year even if they are not enrolled in classes, they are expected to continue to advance their practice during this critical transitional period between their first and second year. While some level of continued experimentation and exploration is anticipated and expected in the second year a student must be able to develop focus and a reflexive capacity in the development of their work. As such, the second year is a focusing year where each student is expected to develop a clear set of ideas that will support the production of an independent cohesive body of work for exhibition.
Our Sculpture and Integrated studio facilities feature over 12,000 square feet of space divided into 6 different work areas. They include a wood working and assembly area, a metal fabrication area, a CNC fabrication area, the rapid prototyping room, student studio loft, and Outdoor Patio. In support of making, the area is equipped with more than 50 major pieces of powered equipment, a 5-ton bridge crane, and forklift for largescale material constructions.
Click here to view the Sculpture and Integrated Studio information page.
The Graduate Arts Organization
The Graduate Arts Organization exists to support student-initiated projects that enhance graduate education. Students invite visiting artists and organize trips of specific interest to graduate students. All graduate students, full-time or part-time, are invited to participate. Each year students elect a President and a Treasurer, as well as a representative to the Graduate Student Senate. The Graduate Coordinator serves as advisor to the group.
The Sculpture Club
The Sculpture program as had numerous affiliations with various sculpture organizations internationally, nationally, regionally, and locally. The primary interaction for these organizations and our students occurs through the Sculpture Club, one of several student lead clubs within the School of Art. Its primary mission is to produce, promote, educate, and exhibit student 3D student artwork both locally and regionally. The club also helps with bringing in visiting artists, providing support for local events like SculptureX Symposium and community focused projects like Parklets Program in downtown Bowling Green. They produce fine and applied artwork that is both shown and sold at events like the Black Swamp Arts Festival and Arts X, write grants for funding, and assume the role of BGSU representatives when making regular trips to national and regional conferences and events. Some the important associations the Sculpture program and club are affiliated include. To see what is going on now check out BGSU Sculpture Club on Instagram.
Affiliated Organizations
The International Sculpture Center (ISC)
A member-supported, nonprofit organization founded in 1960 to champion the creation and understanding of sculpture and its unique, vital contribution to society. Members include sculptors, collectors, patrons, architects, developers, journalists, curators, historians, critics, educators, foundries, galleries, and museums—anyone with an interest in and commitment to the field of sculpture.
Founded in 2010 as a teaching and networking platform to catalyze collaborations among educational and art institutions in western Pennsylvania, Ohio, western New York, West Virginia, Kentucky, Michigan, Indiana, and Ontario. Initiated by CIVITAS, the four founding institutions of SculptureX are: Edinboro University, the Erie Art Museum, the Cleveland Institute of Art and The Sculpture Center in Cleveland. A 501c3, The Sculpture Center serves as the nexus for the ever-evolving “SX” exchange.
Contemporary Art Toledo is dedicated to the production, presentation, and promotion of ideas from visual artist from around the Great Lakes region and beyond. We are working to create and sustain meaningful connections between innovative artists and diverse communities that emphasize and explore the historical, cultural, and social importance of the art of our time.
Students graduating with an emphasis in sculpture at Bowling Green State University can work in a variety of dynamic career fields. These include professional careers as 3D sculptors, artist-designers, professional studio artist, educational artist, and artist technicians. Students graduating Studio Arts with an emphasis in Sculpture at BGSU have access to diverse career opportunities that are growing in demand.
Professional Art Career
3D Sculptor: Occupational Pay: 65,000 - 100,000 (+) Average 85,000
Artist-Designer: Occupational Pay: 35,000 - 100,000 (+) Average 65,000
Educational Artist: Occupational Pay: 40,000 - 100,000 (+) Average 55,000
Professional Artist: Occupational Pay: 35,000 - 100,000 (+) Average 42,000
Artist Technician: Occupational Pay: 35,000 - 100,000 (+) Average 43,000
Education
University or College Professor/Instructor
Arts Administration
Secondary Education Teacher
Community Education Teacher
Studio Technician
Art Centers, Galleries, Museum Libraries and Private Foundations
Art Technician
Arts Education Coordinator
Secondary Education Teacher
Installation Designer
Display Designer
Set and Diorama Design
Set and Diorama Construction
Sculptor Modeler
Art Archivist
Art Restoration (Cleaning and Conservation)
Art Exhibit Coordinator
Exhibition Preparer
Curator
Education Director
Art Administration
Director
Professional Art Studios
Studio Manager
Artist Executive Assistant
Art Technician
Art Fabricator
Archivist
Art Handler (Packing, Shipping, and Installation)
Professional Crate Maker (Shipping, Traveling and Museum Crates)
Motion Picture and Theater Industry
Artist Fabricator
Physical Model Maker
Sculptor Mold Maker
3D Digital Sculptor/Artist
Set and Diorama Designer
Costume and Character Maker
Design Industry Areas
Art Director
Creative Designer
Digital Sculptor/3D Designer
Furniture Design and Production
Interior Design and Production
Product Design and Production
Industrial Design and Production
Toy Design and Production
Business, Sales, and General Jobs
Art Supply/Material Sales Representative
Art Supply/Material Technical Representative
Art Equipment Sales Representative
Construction General
Contractor
Construction Supervisor
Creative (Art) Director
3D Digital Modeler CAD (Industry and Medical)
3D Clay Modeler (Industry and Medical)
Foundry Mold Maker
Foundry Worker
Foundry Patinazation Specialist
Product Developer
Welder and Metal Smith
Independent Arts Business
Custom Metal Fabricator
Custom Wood Working
Landscaping
Art Centers
Auto Industry
Cultural Institutions
Event Planning Firms and Venues
Foundry
Furniture Design Companies
Furniture Production Companies
Art Galleries
Government Arts Organizations (Local, State and Federal)
Industrial Design Companies
Hospitality
Retail Product and Equipment Supply Companies
Custom Wood and Metal Production Companies
Construction Companies
Landscape Companies
Manufacturing Companies
Metro Parks and Zoos
Motion Picture Industry and Special Effects Companies
Museum
Product Design Firms
Professional Art Studios
Universities and Colleges
Video Game Design Industry
Secondary Schools
Theater and Performing Arts Venues
Welding and Metal Fabrication Companies
Great Jobs for Art Majors by Blythe Camenson
How to Survive and Prosper as an Artist: Selling Yourself Without Selling Your Soul by Caroll Michels
Careers in the Visual Arts: A Guide to Jobs, Money, Opportunities and an Artistic Life by Dee Ito
Management and the Arts by William J. Byrnes
The Business of Art by Lee Caplin
Career Opportunities in the Visual Arts by Richard Clark and Pamela Fehl
Legal Guide for the Visual Artist by Tad Crawford
Art/Work: Everything You Need to Know (and Do) As You Pursue Your Art Career by Heather Darcy Bhandari and Jonathan Melber
College Guide for Visual Arts Majors by Peterson's and Thomson Peterson's
Sculptor.org - Includes resources related to sculptors and sculpture
International Sculpture Center
Toyarts.com - Comprehensive lists of toy manufacturers, toy designers, inventors, etc.
Association of Professional Model Makers
International Society of Furniture Designers
Cute or Cool Toy Industry Designers Showcase - Submit your own designs for clients to review
New York Foundation For the Arts
Arts & Business Council of New York
Vocational Information Center - Visual Art Career guide
Artist Help Network - Includes resources on career, exhibitions/commissions, money, presentation tools, legal, etc.
Arts Westchester - A guide to arts in Westchester - events, grants, links to local artists, internships, etc.
Occupational Outlook Handbook Online - U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Job type descriptions, job growth forecasts, and salary information
World Wide Arts Resources - Arts employment
Res Artis - Worldwide network of artist residencies
Americans for the Arts - Includes job bank
Coroflot - Design jobs (3D sculptor, 3D digital modeler, 3D Modeling, Exhibit, Industrial, Product Dev., etc.)
Creative Hotlist - Site for the professional creative marketplace
Idealist - Non-profit and arts internships and jobs
College Art Association - CAA's Career Center for job seekers
ArtDeadline.com - source for income & exhibition opportunities
Toy Recruiter - Search for jobs; find links to other important sources
Indeed - A general list site with a wide variety of jobs often listed by title or background as in sculpture, or sculptor or more specifically a job title (teacher, 3D sculptor, 3D digital modeler, clay modeler, artist etc.)
SimplyHired. - A general list site with a wide variety of jobs often listed by title or background as in sculpture, or sculptor or more specifically a job title (teacher, 3D sculptor, 3D digital modeler, clay modeler, artist etc.)
Student Work
Updated: 12/22/2022 04:30PM