Art Foundations Program

All Art Practices majors & minors start in the Art Foundations Program

Goals for our undergraduate Art Practices students

  • Experiment with various materials and techniques to foster creative agility
  • Become knowledgeable of two-dimensional, color theory, three-dimensional and time-based media fundamentals through readings, discussions, assignments, exercises, and projects.
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze studio work and the work of others within personal, theoretical, cultural, social, and historical context

Degrees offered in Arts Practices:
Bachelor of Arts | ÌýÌýBachelor of Fine Arts Ìý| ÌýMinors

Building your art practice requires a strong foundation

The Art Foundations Program is the pathway to majors including the Bachelor of Arts in Arts Practices and Bachelor of Fine Arts. We welcome all students interested in furthering their artistic practices.

Experience it all: drawing, printmaking, photography, coding, digital media, performance, time-based media, sculpture, design and more as you develop skills, explore techniques, and consider new ideas.

The focus of this curriculum is on visual literacy and understanding the use of technique as a tool to illustrate concepts that span many different art disciplines and cultures. This program includes two core courses designed for the student to progressively build upon their existing aptitudes and to be introduced to new ways of working and thinking. Foundation Faculty carefully guide students through a comprehensive program, providing students with a thorough understanding of contemporary art and art practice to ensure a successful creative future.

Studio Arts 1 & 2 Classes

These courses (ARTS 1010 & 1020) will introduce you to studio arts and artistic practices, exploring various methods for creating artwork. In addition to learning new techniques and materials, you will develop the ability to think and discuss creative work critically. You will engage with visual literacy and culture through lectures, studio time, readings, discussions, and projects that emphasize your future creative practice. Every aspect of the class is focused on the skills, concepts, and actions involved in artistic activity.

Pathway to Areas of Study

Our Foundations Arts Program will introduce students to the many areas of study in the Department of Art & Art History

Foundations Class Artwork Collection

Abigail Kirkpatrick

Abigail Kirkpatrick

Gail Lebeda

Gail Lebeda

Catherine Mitchell

Catherine Mitchell

Dylan Witte

Dylan Witte

Maddie Kawasaki

Maddie Kawasaki

Kate Lindburg

Kate Lindburg

Frequently Asked Questions

ARTS 1010 Introduction to Studio Arts: This course is composed of six areas, beginning with composition, and is followed by drawing and color theory integrated with 2-D Design concepts in progressive exercises and projects using a wide range of materials. A 3-D design project that places the students in the woodshop to learn basic wood fabrication while exploring the fundamental principles of three-dimensional practices with the application of a variety of materials. There is also a digital component where students learn and utilize basic image editing in Photoshop. The last studio component is an Independent Project, where the student focuses on forming their artistic voice and practice.

ARTS 1020 Introduction to Studio Arts II builds on what the student has learned in ARTS 1010 through more advanced projects. The complexity and scale of assignments are pushed to develop additional skills and deepen artistic inquiry as well as to allow students greater freedom and responsibility in their approach to art practice. It challenges the student to produce projects that are based on current issues, a range of media, and a variety of the studio art programs.

No, ARTS 1010 is a prerequisite for ARTS 1020, so students are required to take ARTS 1010 first.

The Visiting Artist lecture series is a schedule of lectures presented by Visiting Artists throughout each semester for the whole Art and Art History Department. Every Foundations student is expected to attend a certain number of lectures each semester for class credit.

You will need a copy of the syllabus of each course you want to review and a copy of your transcript so the Director can note that you have passed the course. Work with your advisor to contact the Director of the Foundations Arts Program.

Area Faculty for Foundations