Art & Art Therapy

Department Chair—Heaton
Instructors—Barsnack, Shaw

The Art and Art Therapy areas offer programs of study leading to “pre-professional” and professional pursuits in a number of art related fields. These programs are offered in concert within a liberal arts framework and a breadth of foundational and advanced experiences in both two- and three-dimensional disciplines. Art/Art Therapy majors may become self-employed as artists, may become teachers in public or private schools or recreational programs, or may pursue graduate study in an advanced field of visual art or art therapy.

Curriculum flexibility, visiting lecturers, visiting artists, field trips, study abroad offerings, apprenticeships and internships make it possible for a continuing program of wide exposure in the arts. Art/Art Therapy majors are waived from Fine Arts General Education Goal.

We offer a Studio Art major and an Art Therapy major. We also offer an Art major with education licensure.(See the Education department for specific requirements.) Additionally, we offer three minors: Digital Design, Studio Art, and Therapeutic Art.

The Art / Art Therapy Program has the following four learning goals for all its majors:

Goal 1 (Critical Thinking): Students will demonstrate through presentations or analysis papers the ability to make informed judgments about works of art through methods of critical inquiry and aesthetic reasoning.
Goal 2 (Craft): Students will demonstrate the ability to produce original, well crafted, and visually organized two-and three-dimensional works of art.
Goals 3 (Appreciation): Students will broaden their understanding and appreciation of works of art by understanding and appreciation of works of art by exploring the historical and cultural contexts that influenced their creation.
Goal 4 (Professional Development): Students will participate in professional development activities that prepare them for graduate school and/or entrance into their chosen careers.