SPAC Art Center
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Artistic disciplines enable you to create and transform, helping you to apply your skills in a way that engages contemporary culture and offers an expression of your perspectives — and your faith. Well-trained artists go on to pursue a wide range of professional careers, from fine arts, graphic design, arts administration, photography, and animation to media-focused businesses, marketing, and public relations.

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Art Majors

This track gives exposure to both Western and non-Western content with a contemporary focus. This major is designed to make you a canny navigator of our media-saturated environment.

The curriculum overlaps traditional autographic rendering techniques in drawing and painting with new technology-based skills and a focus on works of art that emphasize narrative.

This track focuses on the development of tactile skills including drawing, painting, printmaking, metallurgy, and sculpture.
This track focuses on the development of conceptual, aesthetic, and technical skills in lens-based media, working with both still and moving images.
This track will give you a broad exposure to the visual arts, teaching you the effective application of the fundamental elements and principles of the visual arts.

Art Minors

Art History and Studio Art Minors

You can choose from two minors: Art History and Visual Studies; and Studio Art. Within the Studio Art minor, you may select one of three emphases: 2-D Media, 3-D Media, or Digital Media.

Courses and requirements

For an Art History and Visual Studies minor, you will be required to take at least 30 credits, including at least 15 upper-division credits. Review all of the courses and requirements.

For a Studio Art minor with a 2-D Media emphasis, you will be required to take at least 35 credits, including at least 15 upper-division credits. Review all of the courses and requirements.

For a Studio Art minor with a 3-D Media emphasis, you will be required to take at least 36 credits, including at least 17 upper-division credits. Review all of the courses and requirements.

For a Studio Art minor with a Digital Media emphasis, you will be required to take at least 33 credits, including at least 15 upper-division credits. Review all of the courses and requirements.

For an Information Studies: Art minor, you will be required to take at least 30 credits, including at least 15 upper-division credits. Review all of the courses and requirements

You do not need to submit a portfolio for review with an intended Art minor.

Applying

Apply for a major or minor using the online Major or Minor Application form. You must complete the major or minor requirements by the time you are admitted to the major or minor.

You may formally apply for a major in Art or Visual Communication upon completion of the specified freshman drawing or design course sequences. If you intend to pursue the Art History and Visual Studies emphasis, you may apply after completion of one art history course.

Ready to apply to your Art major or minor?

Your application to the Art major must include:

  • A declaration that you intend to pursue studies in the Art major with an emphasis in Studio Arts; Illustration/New Pictures; Art History and Visual Studies; General Art; Photography/Digital Media; or Visual Communication.
  • A specified portfolio for review (excluding Art History and General Art applicants).
  • A current transcript demonstrating a minimum 2.5 GPA in your art courses.
  • Proof of completion of three of the designated foundational courses (excluding Art History applicants).
  • A specified essay for review.
  • A completed online major or minor application.

Portfolio applications for the majors are reviewed on the second Tuesday of September, the fourth Tuesday of January, and the third Tuesday of April. All materials can be submitted to the department assistant or the major/minor advisor.

If you are applying for an Art minor, you do not need to submit a portfolio for review.

Transfer students

If you are a transfer student with class status beyond the sophomore level, you may apply to the Art or Visual Communication major or Art minor after a portfolio review and confirmation of the successful completion of the equivalent drawing and design course sequences.

See the degree requirements for a full list of required courses and electives within the major or minor program.

Future teachers

Elementary Teacher Certification

If you plan to obtain an elementary Residency Teacher Certification and are interested in teaching art, you must choose the Integrated Studies major with a concentration in art. This concentration includes an Arts core, along with courses in mathematics, physical education, and the natural sciences.

Secondary Teacher Certification

If you plan to obtain secondary Residency Teacher Certification with endorsement in art, you should pursue a BA in Art, and are required to complete Requirements for Secondary Certification through the School of Education.

If you plan to become a teacher, visit the School of Education for additional information.

Portfolio submission

If you plan to major in Illustration/New Pictures, Studio Arts, Photography/Digital Media, or Visual Communication, you will need to submit a portfolio. Before submitting a portfolio, you must apply online to your major and have completed the following courses: ART 1105 Art Foundations 1: Surface; ART 1106 Art Foundations 2: Space; and ART 1107 Art Foundations 3: Time. For equivalency of previous course offerings and/or transfer credits, please consult with an Art faculty member.

Your portfolio must include:

Required artwork samples: Three projects from each core course, for a minimum of nine pieces.

Suggested artwork samples: In addition to the required samples, we suggest you also include a sketchbook and samples of recent personal work related to the concentration to which you are applying.

Required documents:

  • A completed online major or minor application.
  • A printed copy of your unofficial transcript with grades from all colleges attended.
  • A one-page essay responding to the following prompt: “I am attracted to this major because ...”

Submit all portfolios to the Art Department administrative office. These works should be submitted in a portfolio case large enough to contain all original work. For digital files, submit works via a printed URL address and/or a USB flash drive. The exterior of the portfolio should include a submission form that includes your name, the major for which you are applying, your email address, and your expected year of graduation.

Application deadlines

Students have one opportunity each quarter during every academic year to apply to one of the majors. After acceptance into the major, it typically takes a minimum of two full years to complete the sequence of courses. Completed portfolios are due to the Art Department offices no later than 5 p.m. on the following dates:

  • Autumn Quarter: second Tuesday in September
  • Winter Quarter: fourth Tuesday in January
  • Spring Quarter: third Tuesday in April

Post-application review process

You will be notified by email of the status and final decision regarding your application. Portfolios can be collected at the Art Department administrative office during office hours. Criteria for acceptance will be based upon the quality of the work, grades, essay content, and success in academic coursework.

Once admitted to the major, you must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA in your art classes. Failure to meet this standard may result in dismissal from the major.

It is the goal of the Art Department to help each student discern the best major and career path possible. We strive to help students find a good fit for their skills and their personal and professional goals. If you are not accepted into the major you hoped for, faculty members are available for counsel  and to advise alternative options and direction within the Art Department.