Mission
The B.A. Fine Art has the mission of offering students an opportunity to comprehensively develop their artistic talents and creative scholarship in the areas of Studio Art, Music, and Music Technology. With rigorous curricular and co-curricular exposure to the interdisciplinary nature of the arts, including theatre, the program is designed to enrich critical thinking, technology literacy, and an appreciation for diverse aesthetics, as well as facilitate the growth of self-sustaining artists.
Program Goals
- To prepare artists well-grounded in the histories, aesthetic standards, and ethical values of art as an aspect of human culture.
- To develop artists and scholars of the arts who stay abreast of their discipline/craft.
- To provide students with experiences that will enhance their understanding of cultural and environmental surroundings.
- To graduate artists and scholars of the arts immediately prepared for career entry, self-career development, and/or graduate studies.
B.A. FINE ARTS STUDIO ART CONCENTRATION
Expected Student Learning Outcomes and Competencies
- To analyze the elements and principles of art/design in studio arts (painting, drawing/illustration, design, sculpture, ceramics and mixed media),
- To evaluate the skills and creativity of studio art works,
- To demonstrate successfully artistic abilities that would qualify for various opportunities and careers in the visual arts and industry,
- To communicate comprehensively diverse art histories, criticisms and theories, especially those relative to people of African descent,
- To present themselves as conscious artistic designers & producers who can examine and suggest resolutions to cultural and environmental concerns within the global community,
- To network with professionals in the art, visual communication, museum/gallery and related industries,
- To demonstrate preparation for entrance into chosen graduate programs,
- To conduct research and participate in various collaborative and interdisciplinary projects including public art and/or commissioned art projects,
- To use state-of- the art studio equipment and technology in various types of projects.
Career Opportunities
The field of studio arts is a challenging and expanding industry that intersects with many other areas such as design. Students will be exposed to a liberal arts program that provides access to technology, research and training to enter this vast career with success. There are various opportunities in the studio arts, production and related arts industries. The Baltimore/Washington metropolitan area is a major center for the arts, government, entertainment and business, both nationally and internationally. This rapidly expanding area will allow graduates to find creative employment and research opportunities in related fields.
Additionally, Studio Art faculty actively assists students with obtaining internships and/or apprenticeships, and at times employment opportunities in the field, both locally and nationally. The vast employment opportunities available for art graduates include:
- practicing studio artist
- educational institutions
- museums and galleries
- arts organizations
- textile industries
- design and animation studios
- book, magazines and newspapers
- packaging firms
- publishing houses
- production design
- advertising agencies
- corporate design departments
- government and non-profit organizations
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
A student must officially declare Fine Arts as their major, and Studio Art as a concentration, by entering it on his/her initial application for admission or by submitting the Declaration of Major/Program Form. All students applying for admission to Art programs are expected to demonstrate their skills via a portfolio that highlights 10 (or more) examples of professional quality artwork; design, illustration, ceramics, drawing, sculpture, digital art/graphics, photography and painting. This should be submitted via a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM; or through slides. Work should be labeled with title, brief description, medium, and dimensions.
Students must also take the necessary prerequisites (carefully read course descriptions) and meet with their academic advisor BEFORE registering for any class. The DFPA Academic Advisor must approve all courses before registration. Students are accepted into the program and then proceed after successfully completing required foundation, core and university courses, and faculty portfolio reviews; they will continue onto an area of concentration as candidates/majors.
ADVISEMENT
All Fine Arts - Studio Art majors must work closely with a faculty advisor within their concentration. It is recommended that they meet with an advisor from the time they declare their major through graduation to make sure all prerequisites are being met as required by the program 4-year plan. Failure to do so could prolong matriculation through this program.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
COURSES
Students pursuing the BA in Fine Arts - Studio Art must take 12 semester hours of a foreign language, and 9 semester hours of art/design (related) history, theory and/or criticism, including an additional (and mandatory) ART 405 African American Art History, for a total of 12 credits in art history. Studio Art students must maintain an average of 2.5 or better in all major courses. Those students showing evidence of a fundamental weakness in an area of study will be required to take additional study work in the deficit area, and/or repeat courses. Students who fail to correct any deficiency, or to maintain an average of 2.5 or better in all major courses will not be allowed to graduate from this program. Additionally, to better prepare for entrance into graduate school and/or employment in a specific creative field, students must choose to specialize in one of the following tracks: 2D, 3D, Integrated Studios, and Photography. Studio Art faculty will assist students with identifying which track best suits their individual strengths and career goals.
PORTFOLIO REVIEWS
Another requirement for graduation is the development and maintenance of a comprehensive portfolio, which must be reviewed with and evaluated by faculty on a regular schedule. The portfolio is a collection of the student’s best course work and independent art projects selected by the student artist. The collection begins in the freshman year and MUST be maintained up to and until graduation. Studio Art students are required to participate in a minimum of two (2) scheduled faculty reviews in order to:
- Advance to 300/400 level art courses
- Meet requirements for graduation, and submit work for senior thesis course and final exhibition
Upon completion of foundation courses and no later than the end of the sophomore year, students are to submit the portfolio and participate in their first mandatory faculty portfolio review and evaluation. At the end of their junior year, students will participate in their second mandatory faculty review and evaluation. Students who fail to correct any deficiency or pass portfolio reviews will not be allowed to graduate from this program.
ART EXHIBITIONS
All art students are strongly encouraged to submit quality artwork to the juried student art exhibitions each semester. It is suggested that art students should also submit artwork to various local and national art/design and/or media competitions or exhibitions. Successfully passing ART 498 Senior Thesis and Exhibition, by submitting all required work and participating in the senior exhibition, is a requirement for graduation.
SENIOR THESIS EXHIBITION
Students are also required to meet regularly with faculty and their advisor; and to submit work for their senior art exhibition, this coincides with passing the course, ART 498 Senior Thesis and Exhibition. Students must submit a portfolio that consists of 20 or more professional quality works to be proposed for ART 498 and their senior exhibition.
All work for ART 498 and final senior exhibition must be submitted early, or no later than the midterm of the previous semester prior to taking ART 498. All artwork for senior show and final portfolio must be approved by a Studio Art advisor, and by all Studio Art faculty.
DFPA, Studio Art & VCDMA Activities
Students are expected to participate in DFPA, Studio Art and/or VCDMA (campus) related activities including theatrical/musical/dance performances, lectures, film screenings, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, recitals, etc. as well as off-campus events such as field trips, conferences, studio/museums/gallery visits, and more, that further enrich the academic and artistic experience.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Transfer students must submit a portfolio during their first semester in the program, for review by the Studio Art coordinator/advisor for review. Students who transfer in with 12 credit hours or more are not required to take Freshman Seminar.
ART CONCENTRATION MINOR
Students may minor in Studio Art, or Museum Studies and Visual Culture by consulting with the Studio Art advisor/coordinator.
A minor in Studio Art consists of 21 CREDIT hours; six (6 studio and 1 art history course). Classes normally consist of foundation and introductory courses and one or more advanced courses. See below for the requirements for Museum Studies and Visual Culture.
