Art Major, BA

Entrance Requirements

The major programs in art require 36-51 semester hours, depending on the option chosen. No minor is required. Applicants to the program must submit a supplementary application, present a portfolio for review and arrange for an entrance interview with art faculty. All majors must be reviewed annually after acceptance into the program. Guidelines for interviews, reviews, and program criteria are available within the department

Minimum Grade Requirement

Art and music majors must earn a minimum grade of C in each required course in their respective content areas.

Graduation

To be a candidate for graduation, a student must pass all exit criteria including all components of the annual and final reviews. Art majors in the art education degree program must meet all criteria required by the Teacher Education Program for graduation.

Senior Art Exhibit Criteria for Art Majors

Students majoring in art are required to participate in the preparation and mounting of the Senior Exhibition at the Diggs Gallery during the senior year of study prior to graduation. Candidates must submit the requisite number of completed artworks during the course and take part in exhibition activities as required and supervised by the gallery director. Activities include production of exhibition announcement cards and posters, preparation of press releases, design of exhibit, hosting of opening reception, exhibit lighting, signage of art work, and disassembling of exhibit. Five hours per week. Pre-requisites: Must be a senior and have the approval of the Fine Arts Department Art Area.

Candidates are required to submit 20 works by a specified date two to three weeks prior to the opening date of the exhibition. It is strongly recommended that the works be representative of the broad range of media covered during the four-year course of study. The works are screened by invited professional artist(s)/juror(s) who eliminate works that do not meet the following criteria.

Accepted works must:

1. Exhibit an acceptable level of craftsmanship and skill.
2. Demonstrate artistic merit.
3. Fulfill one or more functions that fall in the following categories: educational, aesthetic, historical, social, and political.

Students work together to design and mount the exhibition and host the opening reception. The reception is financed by the participating students. In addition to the exhibition requirement, students must participate in the following activities in preparation for the exhibition.

1. Design posters to advertise the exhibition.
2. Design and mail announcement cards.
3. Prepare press releases.
4. Frame or make artworks display ready.
5. Design exhibit, signage, and lighting.
6. Paint walls, stands, etc. as necessary.
7. Host opening reception and provide refreshments and music.
8. Disassemble show.