Spalding University Catalog Studio Art

Studio Art | Spalding University Catalog

Studio Art

BFA in Studio Art
The Studio Art Program at Spalding University offers dynamic, innovative curriculum in visual arts. All students begin the BFA with a rigorous 24-credit Foundation Program and 9 credits in Global Art History to ensure that each student becomes acquainted with the history of art, its contemporary practices and theories, and a hands-on approach to the basics and creative processes involved in Drawing, Painting, Color and Design, 3D Design, and Digital Media and Art. Immersion in the techniques of both traditional and cutting-edge media and the encouragement of exploration, collaboration, and critical thinking skills will transform students into creative problem-solvers prepared to engage in and contribute to our current world. Artistic training will be enriched with studies in the Humanities and Sciences (49 credits of the total 120 credit hours) required for graduation to offer a broad base for critical assessment of the artist’s role in society.

Admission
The BFA degree in Studio Art engages and accommodates students with varying amounts of art experience. After admission to the University, students will apply to be admitted to the BFA in Studio Art. This will require a personal portfolio review with two faculty members. An evaluation of the portfolio will include a successful score on the Portfolio Review Evaluation Form by both faculty members.

Requirements
Students in the BFA in Studio Art will be able to choose from five distinct majors, or programs of study, two concentrations and one track. The five majors are

Digital Media
Graphic Design
Interdisciplinary Sculpture
Painting/Drawing
General Fine Arts

Students may also have a concentration in Illustration. A track in Pre-Art Therapy, which prepares students for graduate study in art therapy, is also available.

Each major has a series of required courses and a selection of electives to choose from, offering a broad range of approaches to the discipline. The variety of course offerings within each discipline is designed to provide both breadth and depth for each student to investigate their unique approach to being a visual artist. The one major distinctly different is General Fine Arts (GFA). Students in this major will focus on two areas of study to be chosen from Digital Media, Interdisciplinary Sculpture, Graphic Design, and Painting/Drawing, as well as Illustration and Pre-Art Therapy. This major further enhances the potential for cross-disciplinary exploration.

Course Sequencing
Students in the program will be required to take a total of 120 credits: 49 credits in University Studies and 71 credits in art (including 24 credits in Foundation courses and 15 credits in Art History courses, 9 of which are designated as Humanities courses within University Studies).

The Foundation Program
All BFA majors will be required to complete the Foundation Program before declaring a major. The Foundation Program provides students with a rigorous and intensive experience in the fundamental issues of art and design. It exposes students to a wide range of ideas and concepts, preparing them to advance in one of the five majors. The range of Foundation courses exposes students to the fundamentals within each of the five designated majors (Digital Media, General Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Interdisciplinary Sculpture and Painting/Drawing), helping to lead students to their chosen program of study. Foundation courses may be taken in any sequence (with the exception of the level II courses which must be preceded by level I). A passing grade of "C" is required in all Foundation classes.

Additional Program Requirements
All BFA students will be required to take additional required courses at the Junior and Senior level to solidify and deepen their personal focus while gaining independence. These courses are Internship, Professional Seminar, Junior Focus, Senior Thesis I and II. The one major that will deviate from this is Graphic Design.

A 3 credit Internship during the Junior or Senior year. Students will be required to take part in a workplace internship providing hands-on experience and valuable exposure to a professional art-related field of their choice. In addition to a minimum of 50 contact hours, the internship will require students to keep a regular journal and produce a written reflection. Site supervisors will provide evaluations and reviews. A full-time faculty member will be assigned as Intern Supervisor and will be responsible for administering the internship and awarding the grade.
A 2 credit Professional Seminar taken during the Junior or Senior year will help students prepare to succeed as professional artists after graduation. Students will be taught to write resumes, grants, cover letters, and other documents relevant to marketing themselves and to producing a portfolio of professional quality images that will be required for graduation. This course will be taught by studio faculty and will integrate presentations by professionals from a variety of fields.
Junior Focus, a 3 credit course taken during the Junior year, is designed to encourage the development of personal process and direction as an artist through a combination of written and studio work. Regular class meetings will engage students in writing exercises that will help them explore, understand, and explain their ideas and work while independently developing a series of projects relevant to their chosen major. Throughout the course students will receive scheduled critiques culminating in a final project that they will present to faculty, classmates, and a visiting artist(s). This course prepares students for the independent exploration of ideas and materials, and also the work ethic that it is required for Senior Thesis.
Senior Thesis I & II, an intensive 6 credits taken sequentially during the Senior Year. Senior Thesis will help students to develop an independent studio practice over the course of a year; they will cultivate a project that culminates in a Senior Exhibition and a comprehensive oral defense in front of a panel of faculty. Students will work closely with two faculty members, one of which must be from within the major, who will manage the oral defense and administer the grade. The panel critique will constitute 50% of the grade. The Senior Thesis will challenge students to exercise their work ethic, develop and resolve concepts to completion, exhibit, and ultimately prepare them to work as professional artists.