With an emphasis on computer technology, the Visual and Performing Arts curriculum is designed to prepare students to be creative and competitive graphic art professionals. It provides an opportunity for Visual and Performing Arts students to explore several directions within the broad commercial art field and to concentrate more fully on those area that interest them.

The curriculum offers study in the area of Digital Media and Design, Studio Arts, Vocal and Instrumental Performance, Digital Music and Sound, and Theatre and Performance Studies concentrations. Further, the Visual and Performing Arts program includes projects involved with service-related activities at the University and internships in industry and business.

With a strong core of liberal arts courses, the curriculum is carefully designed to allow ample opportunity for intellectual inquiry while retaining a central focus committed to career preparation in such area as digital media and design, illustration, package design, printmaking, and theatre.

Admission to the Visual and Performing Arts - Digital Media and Design and Studio Arts Concentration

Students admitted to the major program in Visual and Performing Arts must show evidence of creative ability in art. Before enrolling in the program, each student is required to present to the Department of Visual and Performing Arts & Media Studies faculty advisor a portfolio of at least eight original pieces which collectively reflect color and design principles, design and craftsmanship, range of expression, and exploratory use of materials.

Artwork in the portfolio must be submitted two months prior to the anticipated enrollment in the program and should be matted, framed or in a slide folder. Students will be notified in writing of their status no later than four weeks after the portfolio has been received in the Department of Visual and Performing Arts & Media Studies . Students not accepted in the program will be allowed to take a provisional introductory level art course to produce the required portfolio. All portfolio approved by the Visual and Performing Arts faculty will become part of the students’ permanent records in the Department of  Visual and Performing Arts & Media Studies .

Internships

During the final year of residency, each Visual and Performing Arts major is required to participate in a semester-long internship before graduating from the program. This experience provides majors with on-the-job training at design studios, public relations firms, television stations, newspaper and magazine publishers, publishing companies, the film industry, print shops, department stores and governmental agencies. Student interns must receive a satisfactory performance evaluation from the external internship supervisor in order to complete this requirement.

Senior Exit Examination, Exhibition, and Exit Interview

During the final semester of the senior year, each Digital Media and Design and Studio Arts concentration major must enroll in ARTH 4123  . In this course, the departmental exit examination is given. This examination covers technical, creative, and practical materials and information from Visual Arts studied throughout the student’s residency. A minimum score of 75 percent is required. In addition, each Digital Media and Design and Studio Arts concentration major is required to present a public senior exhibition of at least 30 pieces which illustrate mastery of the art form. This exhibition of original works must be developed under the guidance of the Art faculty and approved by the faculty before the showing. During the last portion of the final semester, each graduating Digital Media and Design and Studio Arts concentration major is required to participate in an interview with the Department of Visual and Performing Arts & Media Studies faculty. This exit interview is designed to gather data relating to the strengths and weaknesses of the Digital Media and Design and Studio Arts concentration program of study from the graduates of the department.

Program of Study for the B.A. Degree Total
Number of Degree Hours: 123