Freshman Foundation is the first year experience for the BFA program and is designed to prepare students for continued study in the upper levels of the curriculum. Foundation explores concepts and builds skills that can be applied to contemporary art practice in any field. The program assists students in realizing their capacity to collaborate, share ideas, and develop a critical voice.

In the fall semester, the freshman class is divided into groups. The program is broken down into two components: Drawing and Studio, which the students participate in twice a week.

Drawing focuses on observational skill building with the figure and still-life as the primary visual sources. The studio component emphasizes creative problem solving, strategies for making art, and manual skill building through the exploration of a variety of 2D/3D and time-based issues. Group discussion and critique are a focus of both components.

Students are required to participate in Freshman Seminar both semesters. The form and content of seminars change on a weekly basis in response to what ideas are being presented and discussed. Activities include: watching films and videos, visiting artist presentations, concerts, and large group discussions about current art issues or readings.