Through cross-disciplinary study, learn the materials and methods needed for using glass as your sculptural media.
The glass program at the Tyler School of Art and Architecture in Philadelphia serves as a leading center of interdisciplinary thought and practice in glass sculpture. By choosing a public university, you can earn an affordable degree that carries extra clout in the art world. That’s a lot of value for your tuition dollars.
Tyler is recognized as a top art school thanks to the spaces and people that make our glass programs special.
Tyler offers a master’s degree in Glass. Learn more about furthering your education here.
Glass is a unique studio art discipline that relies on community, teamwork and collaboration.
Working with glass offers a rare opportunity to engage with a dynamic, ever-changing material, requiring precision, thoughtful preparation and adaptability.
So, embrace your adventurous spirit, fuel your curiosity and shape your future with a BFA in Glass at Tyler.
Whether you’re a first-generation college student, come from a family of artists or other creatives, or bring other life experiences, Tyler welcomes you.
You will learn, experiment and create inside our 10,000 square feet of glass studio space — featuring all the equipment for hot glass working, casting, neon, stained glass, flameworking, coldworking, kiln work, performance and experimental research.
Tyler’s values and opportunities also attract a strong and diverse cohort of working glass artists to serve as your faculty and mentors. They help you hone your technical skills as a glass artist. They cultivate cross-disciplinary thinking, ensuring your methods, communication, performance and professionalism distinguish you.
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture features its own admissions team, who can provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for your educational and career goals.
In addition to exploring the context of contemporary art, Tyler’s bachelor of fine arts in glass program emphasizes the history, chemistry and technical processes of working with glass as a sculptural medium. The curriculum weaves together critical theory, sustainability, and relevant issues and practices that shape and influence your studio practice.
Learn a variety of glass materials and methods through hands-on experience with hot glass working, casting, neon, stained glass, flameworking, coldworking, kiln work, performance and experimental research.
Learn to develop a personal visual language through glass and other media while investigating sustainable practices, responsible sourcing and innovative approaches to making. Creating final works often means discovering how to make glass do what you envision — an endeavor that demands both creativity and exceptional problem-solving skills.
At Tyler, you also get opportunities to experiment and even build the tools you need to articulate your concepts in glass and other media. Glass work is a collaborative effort, so faculty mentors cultivate a tight-knit artistic community — offering support, inspiration and a shared commitment to safety. Plan to take on significant responsibilities and critical teamwork as you see firsthand what a practicing artist’s career is really like. For example, Tyler shows you how to run, maintain and build equipment — all necessary skills to set up your own studio after graduation.
You also get the chance to tour local artists’ studios in Philadelphia and to explore the city’s wealth of cultural institutions.
Consider your study abroad options in Rome or Japan as well. Sometimes, it’s good to get out of your head and even out of the country to gain fresh perspectives.
The glass BFA program includes opportunities (and scholarships) for summertime study.
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture and the Fox School of Business Management collaborate to offer this undergraduate certificate in Creative Entrepreneurship for artists and other creatives who want to add business skills too.
This program prepares BFA students, with an approved course of study, to qualify for Pennsylvania Teaching Certification in Art, kindergarten through twelfth grade. Students must complete the BFA requirements along with 32 credit hours in education, art education, and specified liberal arts courses. Education-related studies begin in the sophomore year. Students generally take 5 years to fulfill all requirements or the 155 credit degree. All candidates for Pennsylvania Teaching Certificate in Art, K-12 must earn passing scores in the Praxis I and II National Teacher Examinations, Elementary Education: General Knowledge, and the Art Education Examinations.
Yes, Tyler’s glass programs and studios feature the materials and equipment needed to work with neon.
In addition to learning core studio art practice skills and gaining technical fluency with glass methods and materials, Tyler’s BFA degree teaches you transferable skills like these that make you more effective and confident as professional artist.
Gemma Hollister, BFA ’21, competed on the Netflix series “Blown Away.” Watch some highlights from the show.
Graduates from Tyler’s BFA in glass experience professional success after graduation in a variety of fields. Yes, you leave with exceptional technical skills, but you also pick up many transferable skills that make you an asset on the job and as a working artist in the community. Our glass degree graduates pursue an MFA or other graduate degree and / or enter a variety of fields.
Tyler’s glass degree program fosters an environment that mirrors what it’s like to be a professional, working artist. We build community and share opportunities to support your personal development.
Built for both research and creation, Tyler’s Glass program provides you with 10,000 square feet of space — plus all the equipment for hot glass working, casting, neon, stained glass, flameworking, coldworking, kiln work, performance and experimental research.
Count on your faculty-mentors to share options for internships. In the past, our students completed internships at Urban Glass, Wheaton Arts, Pittsburgh Glass Center, and even the Corning Museum of Glass and the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk Virgina.
Tyler hosts the Laurie Wagman Visiting Artist and Artist-in-Residence Series in Glass and other visiting artist programs bring leading national and international artists to further enrich your academic and studio experiences on campus.
Connect with your classmates and peer artists through the Tyler Glass Collective. This student-run organization expands your learning and networking opportunities while you earn your BFA in glass.
See how your future classmates at Tyler use various glass methods and materials to create pieces that shine in more ways than one.
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Izzi Rothman Student
John Dillard Student
Gemma Hollister Student
Maria Marte Student
Dive deeper into the innovative projects and diverse talents of our students. Discover a wider range of creative work, from cutting-edge designs to thought-provoking concepts, and see how our Tyler creative's are shaping the world around them.
Hear from Tyler’s glass program faculty, students and alumni. We actively build a strong, long-lasting community of artists who work in glass. So much so that 95% of our alumni remain in contact with their friends and mentors here.
“At Tyler, we’re leading the charge toward a more sustainable future for the field through research, critical making, and forward-thinking practices. Our alumni are shaping the future of glass as artists, educators, and changemakers internationally.”
"As an alumni and faculty member of the Glass department it has been a second home for me for the past 15 years. Seeing the students come into the department and take their first gathers, to becoming confident majors in glass is incredibly rewarding as an instructor. Our graduates have gone on to take positions around the world in the glass and creative arts community and become young professions making a name for themselves in the field. "
"Tyler Glass has the most incredible support structure for students due to the dedication of the professors not only academically, but career-wise as well. Going above and beyond, my career still benefits years after graduating from the values in networking and community engagement inherent to the program. I learned key studio practice skills in conceptual thinking and developing my work, and also received opportunities and support due to a strong network of professors and students. "
The Tyler School of Art and Architecture glass faculty is comprised of award-winning and distinguished thinkers and makers, including practicing professionals, artists, designers, scholars and leaders in the field of glass. Meet your professors and learn more about their areas of expertise and passions.
Read the latest news from our inspiring community of working artists / faculty, current students and successful alumni.
Join our online community and follow along on Instagram. We regularly share photos and other details about what’s happening in the glass programs at Tyler.
In addition to Tyler’s specialized admissions team, you’re welcome to contact the glass degrees program leadership.
Program Head of Glass and Assistant Professor of Instruction
