Art Department Competencies Developed

Foundations of Art

• Students will demonstrate an awareness and competence in the fundamentals of visual art and design 
• Students will develop a foundational knowledge of art history from prehistoric to contemporary art and a working knowledge of non-western art 
• Students will demonstrate an ability to contextualize their own art ideas and creations within the larger framework of art history
• Students will gain critical thinking skills specifically with respect to visual art cognate studies including Anthropology, Art History, Education, Psychology, and Philosophy

Competency

• Students will incorporate current digital technology creatively and in an innovative manner in their work
• Students demonstrate a competence of the aesthetic and technical aspects of the studio arts
• Students will be able to successfully articulate concepts and ideas in their artwork
• Students will demonstrate an awareness and competence in the media, concepts, and topics of their concentration (Illustration, Graphic Design, Animation, Fine Arts, Art History, Art Therapy, and Visual Art Education)

Communication

• Students will be conversant in the critical theory of the visual arts 
• Students will be able to objectively analyze and critique artwork in an individual or group setting 
• Students will be able to demonstrate Visual Literacy and Intelligence in their work and their field of study
• Students will demonstrate an ability to write effective art historical analyses

Professional Development 

• Students will obtain competence in developing individual portfolios for each course taken
• Students will develop a professional portfolio in completion of the art program for graduate school or professional career
• Students will gain and use industry related terminology to compete in the job market
• Students will gain experience with industry related equipment and materials to compete in the job market and graduate school