University of Maine at Farmington 2014-2015 Catalog
 
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Context

Art
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Degree Earned
Bachelor of Arts: Art

This program's approach to the arts incorporates our belief in the importance of educating critical thinkers, inspired makers, and engaged citizens. A small interdisciplinary and ideas based program seated in a dynamic liberal arts institution, the visual arts program offers an intimate conversation in the history, purpose and process of making art. Learning, experimenting and engaging ideas is a collaborative adventure taken on by students and faculty alike. While developing the skills necessary to become practiced makers, students also gain a thorough understanding of the contemporary and historical ideas surrounding studio practice as well as the role art plays in the local and global community.

During the student's first year they will take a core group of art foundation classes, after which the student must submit a portfolio of work in order to be formally accepted into the Major. Once accepted, the student then picks a concentration in New Media, Live/Performance Art, Painting and Drawing, Sound Art or Sculpture, based upon their specific strengths and interests. The program culminates with a written thesis and thesis project, which will be presented to and viewed by faculty, students, and the public during the Senior Thesis Exhibition held every spring.

Art students go on to pursue careers in studio art, education, advertising, community development, gallery directing, media production, etc. and are not restricted to simply follow a fine arts path. Those who elect to go to graduate school can seek degrees in Studio Art, Advertising, Law, Business, Community Development, etc.

Learning Goals and Outcomes

UMF students graduating with a degree in art will:
 
  • Be able to create a dynamic and intellectually sound body of work within their chosen medium that demonstrates a high skill level and functions both conceptually and technically
  • Be able to express the context of their work orally, in writing, and through research
     
  • Be able to prepare appropriate packages to send out to galleries, graduate schools and/or potential employers
     
  • Understand the conceptual and technical aspects inherent in a given medium
     
  • Be able to find a context for their work and ideas in contemporary art and art history
     
  • Be able to construct meaning that is relevant to the contemporary art dialogue as well as art history
     
  • Be able to formulate content for their work that is both relevant and complex
     
  • Be able to identify their own perspective, community, and role in the world
     
  • Be prepared to approach a variety of opportunities and connections in the real world
     
  • Be able to identify their relevance as artists and makers in a wider context
     
  • Be able to evaluate and critique the communicative and conceptual strength of their own work as well as the work of their peers
     
  • Be able to continue to develop problem-solving skills (both technical and conceptual) within a given medium
New Media
Students will be able to use the formal, technical and conceptual aspects of new media to approach concepts, construct meaning and take part in the contemporary dialog.
 
Sculpture
Students will be able to use the formal, technical and conceptual aspects of 3D media to approach concepts, construct meaning and take part in the contemporary dialog.
 
Sound Art
Students will be able to use the formal, technical and conceptual aspects of sound to approach concepts, construct meaning and take part in the contemporary dialog.
 
Painting and Drawing
Students will be able to use the formal, technical and conceptual aspects of painting and/or drawing to approach concepts, construct meaning and take part in the contemporary dialog.
 
Live/Performance Art
Students will be able to use the formal, technical and conceptual aspects of live/performance art to approach concepts, construct meaning and take part in the contemporary dialog.
 
 
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (32 credits)
 
*All Art Majors must take at least one digital course option within their degree requirements.
 
ART 120A Art on the Edge 4
ART 320A Contemporary Theory and Practice 4
ART 420 Senior Seminar and Studio Practice 4
ART 430 Senior Project and Studio Practice   4
ARH 274A Modern Art 4
ARH 276A Contemporary Art 4
ARH Elective of your choosing 4

 

Choose 1 of the following that is not required by your concentration:    4

ART 105A Sound Art I  
ART 112A Digital Imaging  
ART 115A Drawing I  
ART 119A Sculpture I  
ART 177A Topics in Art
ART 209A Installation Art I
ART 221A Painting I
ART 239A Animation
ART 241A Video I  
ART 244A Creative Imaging                                 
 
 
CONCENTRATIONS:
 

New Media (20 Credits)

Required Courses:
 
Any 100 or 200 Level Digital Class     4
ART 441 New Media                                                      4
and    

Two of the following: 8

ART 234A Interactive Web Media  
ART 239A Animation  
ART 241A Video I  
ART 244A Creative Imaging  
ART 397 Independent Study In Art                  
and    

One of the following: 4

ART 339 Animation II  
ART 341 Video II  
ART 344A Creative Imaging II                             
 

Sculpture (20 Credits)

Required Courses:
 
ART 119A Sculpture I 4
ART 419 Sculpture IV                                    4
and    

 3 of the Following: 12

ART 219 Sculpture II  
ART 241A Video I  
ART 305 Sound Art III                                      
ART 309 Installation Art II  
ART 319 Sculpture III  
ART 405 Sound Art IV  
ART 409 Installation Art III  
 
 
Sound Art (20 Credits)

Required Courses:
 
ART 105A Sound Art I 4
ART 405 Sound Art IV                                 4
and    

Two of the following: 8

MUS 209A Alternative Tunings                           
ART 205 Sound Art II  
ART 209A Installation Art I  
ART 219 Sculpture II  
ART 241A Video I  
ART 239A Animation  
and    

One of the following: 4

ART 305 Sound Art III  
ART 309 Installation Art II  
ART 319 Sculpture III                              
ART 341 Video II  


Painting and Drawing (20 Credits)

Required Courses:

ART 115A Drawing I 4
ART 221A Painting I 4
ART 321 Painting II 4
ART 421 Painting III                                     4
and    

One of the following: 4

ART 244A Creative Imaging    
ART 397 Independent Study in Art                
 
 
Live/Performance Art (32 Credits)
 
Required Courses:
 
SPV 160A
Intro to Live/Performance Art   
4
SPV 260A Language of Performance 4
and    
 
Three of the following: 12
 
ART 209A Installation Art I  
ART 219 Sculpture II  
ART 241A Video I  
THE 115A Improvisation as Acting Technique       
THE 224A Light and Space for Performance                   
THE 275A Social & Political Theatre and Film  
THE 278A Commedia dell'arte  
and    
 
Two of the following: 8
 
ART 319 Sculpture III  
ART 341 Video II  
ART 409 Installation II  
ART 419 Sculpture IV  
and    
THE XXX Theatre Elective 4
  (chosen with advisor approval)              

 

Total Credits for the Major: 52 - 64

*NOTE: A grade of C- or above must be earned in all ARH/ART courses in order to count toward major requirements.

 

FOREIGN LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
One year of one foreign language at the college level or two years of one foreign language at the high school level.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
For specific information about general education requirements and expectations, see the General Education Requirements in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

MINIMUM TOTAL CREDITS FOR THE DEGREE: 128

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