the studio art program at the university of guelph is designed to provide a progressive alternative to existing post secondary programs; one that combines equal strengths in studio practice and its conceptual and critical underpinnings. this approach has had a very positive impact on all graduates by providing them with a substantial working knowledge of both contemporary art history and studio practice, regardless of their career plans. in fact, the program is designed as a bachelor of arts (ba) in studio art, rather than a bachelor of fine arts. the ba allows students to more easily combine their studies in studio art, as majors or minors, with major and minor programs of study in a variety of other disciplines. the permutations are endless in terms of building their career path: graduates are successful contemporary artists, gallerists, teachers, and art therapists, among other things.