Visual Arts

The Visual Arts program at the University of Campinas offers students a comprehensive education in the diverse fields of artistic creation, theory, and criticism, aimed at fostering innovative and critical thinking in the realm of visual culture. This undergraduate degree combines practical studio work with rigorous theoretical approaches, encouraging students to develop a personal artistic voice while engaging with historical and contemporary art practices. Throughout the course, students explore various media, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, video, and new media, equipping them with versatile skills necessary for the dynamic landscape of contemporary art.

The program emphasizes the development of technical proficiency and conceptual clarity, providing access to state-of-the-art facilities such as dedicated studios, workshops, and digital laboratories. Students are encouraged to experiment, question established norms, and push the boundaries of creativity through a combination of individual projects and collaborative initiatives. The curriculum also incorporates courses on art history, aesthetics, visual culture, and critical theory, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the contextual and socio-political implications of visual production.

Faculty members comprise experienced artists, researchers, and lecturers who actively contribute to contemporary debates in art and culture, creating an intellectually stimulating environment. Students are invited to participate in exhibitions, internships, and outreach programs, fostering engagement with the wider artistic community locally and internationally. The program aims to prepare graduates for diverse career paths, including professional arts practice, curatorial work, education, art criticism, and roles within cultural institutions.

Graduates of the Visual Arts program will possess a robust portfolio of artworks and a deep understanding of artistic processes and critical methodologies. They will be equipped to contribute innovatively to the cultural field, support the artistic development of others, and participate actively in the evolving visual landscape of the 21st century. With a strong foundation in both practical and theoretical aspects of art, students emerge ready to influence and shape the future of visual arts both nationally and globally.

Core Curriculum to the Course

• Workshop Practices I
• Paint I
• Artistic Design I
• Molding I
• Art History I
• Workshop Practices II
• Paint II
• Artistic Design II
• Molding II
• Art History II
• Artistic Design III
• Art History III
• Artistic Design IV
• Sculpture I
• Art History IV
• Ceramics I
• Printmaking I
• Art History V
• Research Methodology in Visual Arts
• Brazilian Art History I
• Brazilian Art History II
• Philosophical Foundations of Art Education

Elective Subjects 

26 credits among:

• Plastics I
• Experimental Multidisciplinary Atelier I
• Artistic Activities – Cultural – Teaching I
• Plastic II
• Experimental Multidisciplinary Atelier II
• Artistic Activities – Cultural – Teaching II U
• ndergraduate Research I
• Experimental Multidisciplinary Atelier III
• Artistic Activities – Cultural – Teaching III
• Monitoring I
• Undergraduate Research II
• Experimental Multidisciplinary Atelier IV
• Artistic Activities – Cultural – Teaching IV
• Monitoring II
• Paint V 
• Artistic Design V
• Graphic Computer I
• Special Topics in Creative Processes III
• Advertising Design I
• Artistic Activities – Cultural – Teaching V
• Monitoring III
• Paint VI
• Artistic Design VI
• Graphic Computer II
• Special Topics in Creative Processes IV
• Special Topics in Creative Processes V
• Advertising Design II
• Cartoon I
• Artistic Activities – Cultural – Teaching VI
• Special Topics in Creative Processes I
• Art and New Means I
• Special Topics in Creative Processes VI
• Special Topics in Creative Processes VII
• Ceramics III
• Cartoon II
• Paint VII
• Artistic Design VII
• Sculpture IV
• Advertising Design III
• Graphic Computer and Multimedia Printmaking IV
• Artistic Activities – Cultural – Teaching VII
• Special Topics in Creative Processes II
• Special Topics in Creative Processes VIII
• Special Topics in Creative Processes IX
• Artistic Activities – Cultural – Teaching VIII
• Special Topics in Creative Processes X
• Special Topics in Creative Processes XI
• Special Topics in Art Theory I
• Special Topics in Art Theory II
• Special Topics in Art Theory III
• Special Topics in Art Theory IV
• Special Topics in Art Theory V
• Special Topics in Art Theory VI
• Special Topics in Art Theory VII
• Special Topics in Art Theory VIII
• Special Topics in Art Theory IX
• Special Topics in Art Theory X
• Special Topics in Art Theory XI
• Special Topics and Teaching Visual Arts I
• Special Topics and Teaching Visual Arts II 
• Special Topics and Teaching Visual Arts III
• Special Topics and Teaching Visual Arts IV
• Preservation and Restore I: Foundation and concepts
• Special Topics in Preservation and Restore I: Experience Analysis
• Special Topics in Preservation and Restore II: Techniques and Methods
• Design I: Design Principles for Visual Programming
• Design II: Principles of Typography
• Design III: Design Principles in Product Project
• Education, Body and Art

10 credits among: 

• Any subject with AC--- code
• Any subject with AD--- code
• Any subject with AR--- code
• Any subject with CS--- code
• Any subject with ML--- code
• Any subject with MP--- code
• Any subject with MU--- code 

8 credits among: 

• Any subject offered by UNICAMP  

AF – Bachelor’s degree In Visual Arts 

In addition to core curriculum, student should meet: 

• Paint III
• Paint IV
• Sculpture II
• Sculpture III
• Ceramics II
• Printmaking II
• Printmaking III 

Elective Subjects 

8 credits among:

• Final Paper on Visual Arts I
• Final paper on Theoretical Approach in Visual Arts I 

14 credits among:

• Final Paper on Visual Arts II
• Final paper on Theoretical Approach in Visual Arts II

• To enroll as a regular student in one of UNICAMP's 66 undergraduate courses, foreign students usually have to pass the Vestibular entrance examination, required for Brazilian students as well.Unicamp’s COMVEST1 organizes the Vestibular entrance examination, offered once a year and only in Portuguese.

The financing of the Visual Arts undergraduate program at the University of Campinas is primarily supported through a combination of public funding, government grants, and university resources. As a public university in Brazil, UNICAMP receives financial support from federal and state government sources, which ensures the program's sustainability and development. These funds are allocated to cover faculty salaries, infrastructural maintenance, laboratory and studio equipment, and educational materials necessary for a comprehensive arts education. Additionally, the program benefits from specialized grants aimed at promoting research, cultural projects, and community outreach initiatives, fostering a dynamic learning environment.

Students enrolled in the Visual Arts program have access to various financial aid options, including government-funded scholarships and student aid programs designed to support socio-economic diversity and ensure access to higher education. The Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) and other national agencies regularly provide scholarships and grants specific to arts and cultural programs, helping students offset tuition fees and living expenses. Moreover, UNICAMP offers internal merit-based scholarships based on academic performance, which are awarded to outstanding students to encourage excellence and ongoing engagement with the arts.

Furthermore, the university actively seeks partnerships with cultural institutions, non-governmental organizations, and private sector entities to fund and sponsor projects, exhibitions, and internships. Such collaborations not only enhance students' practical experience but also contribute additional financial resources to support the program’s activities. The university’s emphasis on research and innovative artistic expression also opens avenues for funding through targeted public calls, cultural funding agencies, and international grants aimed at fostering artistic and cultural development.

In terms of tuition fees, as a public university, UNICAMP maintains free undergraduate education, significantly reducing financial barriers for students pursuing a degree in Visual Arts. This policy promotes equal access and encourages a diverse student body. Additionally, the university provides financial guidance and support services to assist students in navigating available funding options, managing expenses, and planning their academic careers effectively. Overall, the financial structure of the program is designed to ensure its sustainability, promote inclusivity, and support the growth of future artists and cultural professionals within Brazil and beyond.

The Bachelor of Visual Arts at the University of Campinas (Unicamp) is a comprehensive and multidisciplinary program that aims to prepare students for diverse careers within the arts sector. The program focuses on developing technical skills, theoretical knowledge, and critical thinking necessary for artistic creation, analysis, and the dissemination of visual culture. Students are exposed to a broad range of disciplines, including painting, sculpture, drawing, printmaking, photography, video, and new media art, encouraging experimentation and innovation.

The curriculum is designed to foster a deep understanding of art history, contemporary art practices, and the social, cultural, and political contexts in which art operates. Throughout the course, students engage in studio work, participate in exhibitions, and develop a personal artistic research, which enables them to articulate their creative projects critically and effectively. The program emphasizes the importance of research methodologies in the arts, curatorial practices, and the role of visual arts in social transformation.

Students also benefit from interactions with visiting artists, participation in workshops, and integration with other departments within Unicamp, fostering an interdisciplinary outlook. The university prioritizes sustainability, technological advancement, and cultural diversity in its teaching and research activities. Career opportunities post-graduation include roles in galleries, museums, art consultancy, art education, public art projects, and community arts initiatives.

Unicamp’s facilities support artistic training with well-equipped studios, laboratories for digital and multimedia arts, libraries with extensive art collections, and spaces dedicated to exhibition and performance. The program aims to cultivate not only skilled artists but also culturally aware individuals capable of contributing innovatively to the arts sector and broader society. Graduates are expected to demonstrate critical awareness, technical proficiency, and a reflective practice aligned with contemporary visual arts trends and challenges.