Annual BFA Exhibition

Each year, the Artspace organizes and hosts the Annual BFA Exhibition for graduating seniors at the Kansas City Art Institute. Featuring work from all departments at KCAI – Art History, Ceramics, Creative Writing, Design, Fiber, Illustration, Interdisciplinary, New Media, Painting, Printmaking, Photography and Sculpture – the exhibition includes work by 90-120 graduating seniors, and is the only show in which each gallery space in the Artspace (and sometimes outside!) is used for the exhibition. The Annual BFA Exhibitions are among the most popular, widely attended exhibitions hosted by the Artspace. They are highly anticipated by the KCAI community and the general public, appealing to the business, corporate and arts communities alike. KCAI departmental critiques take place during the exhibitions, and dozens of public tours for area high schools, community colleges and groups from outside of the region frequently occur.

The Artspace also offers a range of professional practice programming for graduating seniors in conjunction with the exhibition and in collaboration with KCAI Career Services, the Office of Student Life, the Exhibition and Outreach Committee at KCAI, and each Academic or Studio Department at the college. Workshops and programs include an Introductory Forum, highlighting past BFA exhibitions and projects; a Preparatory Workshop to provide basic information for preparing work for exhibition as well as more focused advice for site-specific and complex installations; and the Guest Critic Program, a competitive opportunity for seniors to be selected for additional critiques by distinguished professionals within and beyond Kansas City. The entire experience of the Annual BFA Exhibitions and related programming is an excellent practice in professionalism for each emerging artist, and a unique opportunity to exhibit with their entire graduating class.