Fine Arts (BFA)

Statement of Purpose

As a creative community, the Fine Arts program is dedicated to the practice and scholarship of contemporary fine visual arts. Our goal is to prepare emerging artists for success in professional studio practice and graduate programs and creative enterprises. The department provides students with the professional tools, experiences and the evolving environment required to realize a critical, self-directed body-of-work.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Process and Technique: Application of materials, processes and techniques appropriate to art making.
   • Technical Skills:  Demonstrate competence and facility in a variety of media relevant to the field of Fine Arts.
   • Aesthetics: Demonstrate the ability to make strategic aesthetic choices that enhance and support the visual arts at all levels.
2. Artistic Intention: Ability to identify the role of intention as it relates to art making.
   • Verbal Presentation: Demonstrate clear and effective oral communication of the concepts behind specific bodies of work.
   • Artist Statement: Demonstrate clear and effective written communication in a statement of purpose for both individual bodies of work and an overall focus as an artist.
3. Context: Ability to understand and locate work and practice within the context of art making.
   • Knowledge and Awareness: Students will demonstrate a knowledge and awareness of historical and contemporary trends in the visual arts.
   • Conceptual Application: Apply an awareness of both art historical and contemporary practice culminating in a professional body of work.
   • Artistic Discernment: Show an ability to discern artistic merit of diverse forms of art/design in their contexts. Be able to defend critical interpretations concerning the significance of artistic expression.
4. Studio Practice: Demonstrate an ability to maintain a rigorous and dedicated studio practice.
   • Self-Directed Learning: Demonstrate responsibility for independent learning and perseverance towards goal attainment.
   • Thesis Portfolio: Demonstrate an ability to create a cohesive body of work.
5. Professional Practices: Students will demonstrate the ability to identify the role of professionalism as it relates the field of Fine Arts.
   • Visual Presentation: Demonstrate an understanding of the profession through the presentation of a professional body of work in multiple contexts including for exhibition, online, and print.
   • Documentation: Properly document work suitable for publication, submissions, websites, catalogs and digital media.
   • Communication Skills: Demonstrate effective skills in visual communication, speaking, writing, reading and computer literacy.
   • Collaboration: Understand and practice collaboration in appropriate situations. Demonstrate effective communication and leadership abilities that promote positive, collaborative relationships.