Goals and Objectives

• to provide in-depth and comprehensive exposure to and expertise in the following core studio areas: art education, drawing, painting, graphics, ceramics, printmaking, photography, fibers, metals and glass.
• to provide a foundation experience in sculpture and art history as well as significant instruction in computerized advertising/design.
• to attract and retain the highest caliber of professional experts in each of its core curriculum areas and major degree areas.
• to meet the educational and personal development needs of students through effective teaching, academic advising and counseling by providing cultural opportunities and extra curricular programs which expand the base of liberal and specific studies necessary to the foundation for the baccalaureate degree and teaching certification in the field of fine arts.

The objectives of the art department academic programs are closely tied to the university mission and aim to develop students who shall be adept at creative problem solving. Students shall be critically aware of themselves and their visual environment and dexterous in the use of materials but respectful of both possibilities and limitations. Students shall be capable in critical judgment and capable of revising criteria in the light of new experiences as well as possessing an awareness of what has been done in the visual arts and what might therefore be possible, enriched by tradition but not bound by it. Students shall be articulate in discussion and analysis of the visual phenomena which they encounter. They shall be flexible and adaptable to new times, technologies, and situations, but will be able to recognize, create and preserve value. Further objectives of the department are to establish a studio major and minor focus based philosophically on interests and experience; broaden the aesthetic base in both art and the liberal arts generally and establish a stronger art history base with greater depth in Western art and broader scope in art of non-Western cultures.

Program

The art department is in the College of Arts and Sciences and students have several options in designing a course of study. The art department currently offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree (72 credits) and either a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with four options including art major (36 credits with minor), art education major (36 credits with minor), broad area art education major (54 credits), and broad area art major (56 credits).

Faculty

The art department employs nine faculty members who possess terminal degrees in their fields. Members are active professionals who are exhibiting and lecturing nationally and internationally as well as working with over 1300 UW-River Falls students annually.

Career Opportunities

Art majors do a variety of jobs in education and the private sector. An undergraduate art degree is required for any additional graduate training in the arts. Past graduates have developed careers in a variety of fields and recognize the importance of developing their creative problem solving abilities to adjust to the changing job climate.