Mission, Goals and Objectives of the Art Department

The mission of the Art Department is to provide high-quality education in the visual arts and design through a curriculum that integrates creative inquiry, technical development, historical understanding, and professional practice. Our curriculum is designed to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and adaptability–skills that are essential to excel in many disciplines and professions.

The department promotes artistic excellence, community engagement, and innovation through exhibitions, maker-centered practices, and engagement with contemporary artists and designers. Through studio instruction, critical discourse, community-collaboration, and experiential learning opportunities, students develop the knowledge, skills, and creative capacities necessary for transfer, professional achievement, and lifelong participation in the arts.

Program Outcomes

• Analyze works of art using appropriate visual arts vocabulary.
• Apply the formal elements and principles of design of art.
• Demonstrate technical proficiency with tools, materials, and processes in one or more media.
• Create original artwork through experimentation and exploration of media.
• Identify and discuss artists, movements, styles, and the history that shaped them.

Goal I: Provide a strong foundation of theory and technical skills that will allow students to create a body of individual innovative artwork

Objectives:

• Understand the formal elements of art and/or design through art analysis and develop competency in their application through studio practice
• Learn how to use materials, tools and processes, effectively and safely, from a variety of media (painting, sculpture, ceramic, photography), to create original works of art
• Select appropriate media to convey specific artistic expression that effectively communicates the artist intent 
• Develop creative problem-solving strategies as a means to create strong artwork
• Demonstrate critical skills through specific class projects
• Present, discuss, and support artwork through individual and group critiques 

Goal II: Cultivate Visual Literacy

Objectives:

• Produce creative artworks that demonstrate innovations in concepts, form and material
• Analyze and critique artwork, both orally and written, based on the formal elements, principles of design, conceptual considerations, and social and cultural influences 
• Understand and discuss both the cultural and social impacts that shaped artists, artwork, and movements throughout history
• Recognize artistic and stylistic developments from one historical movement to the next and be able to discuss patterns and relationships between them 

Goal III: Analyze and Integrate Global Art Resources and Trends

Objectives:

• Through exhibitions on campus, workshops and presentations given by visiting artists, students reflect on current artwork by students, faculty and contemporary artists through portfolios, papers, presentations, and the development of artwork
• Research methods and critical writing skills are developed and strengthened through the study of original works of art viewed at museums, galleries, architectural tours, and artist studios
• Understand relevant debates and trends in contemporary art through lectures given by curators, critics, and art historians