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Art

The Department of Art and Art History develops students' critical thinking skills, creativity, knowledge of aesthetics, and awareness of our western and non-western art heritage.

Undergraduate

We offer degree options in Art Studio, Art History, Art Education, and Interior Design. The department supports liberal arts degrees (Bachelor of Arts) focusing on art within a broad program of general studies; and professional degrees (Bachelor of Fine Arts), which require intensive work in art and design, while supported by general studies. The BFA Program is preparation for professional practice.

Undergraduate Art Studio Programs include emphasis in ceramics, drawing, electronic art, glass design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The BFA degree options include: Art Studio, Electronic Arts, and Interior Design.

Students enrolled in the BA in Art, Option in Art Education who plan to teach at the K-12 levels must qualify for a California teaching credential in art, which includes completing a professional education program. For prerequisites and other admission requirements to this program, see the "Education" chapter of the University Catalog.

Graduate

Our graduate degrees include Art Studio and Art History. The Master of Fine Arts in Art is a professional studio degree program that incorporates a comprehensive background in the fine arts as well as advanced development in patterns of studio specialization. The degree offers students progressive course work in critical theory, practiced criticism, and art history. The studio and academic experience gives students the opportunity to synthesize information while engaging in original research and significant creative studio work. Studio concentrations include ceramics, drawing, glass design, painting, photography, printmaking, and sculpture. The Master of Arts in Art is an initial graduate degree in Art History, designed to prepare students for scholarly research. MA students focus on a broad knowledge of the history of art as well as a specific area.

Faculty

Department of Art and Art History faculty are a dedicated group of artists and scholars deeply involved with art, both student work and their own. As teachers, they maintain high standards that employ both well-tested and innovative methods. In class and individual critiques, faculty investigate aesthetic, political, historical, and ethical issues.Our artists, scholars, and designers have won public commissions, shown with established museums and galleries, received awards for teaching, written for key journals, and have been participants at conferences in the United States and abroad. Renowned visiting artists, art historians, and critics introduce challenging concepts in lectures, exhibitions, workshops, and critiques of student work.

Facilities

Students work in well-equipped labs and studios for ceramics, electronic art, painting and drawing, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and interior design. Woodshops and welding shops are available (safety training required). The Ira Latour Visual Resources Collection houses digital images, slides, books, films, prints, photographs, and periodicals supporting art courses. Holdings and online subscriptions are provided through the generous bequest of the Walter Kohn Art History Endowment. The University Art Gallery and Janet Turner Print Museum mount shows of historical and contemporary art every semester, as well as maintaining permanent study collections. Three on-campus galleries display student work, as do private galleries in the community.

Career Outlook

Professional degrees in art, emphasizing problem-solving and creativity, lead to a variety of career opportunities. CSU, Chico alumni teach at all levels, own galleries, work as studio artists, museum curators, arts administrators, muralists, illustrators, and fashion designers. Some become interior designers for commercial and residential design in design and architectural firms. Others work as renderers, set or kitchen designers, wholesale market representatives, lighting designers, and historic preservation design specialists. Still more are involved with computer graphics, film and video production, art publishing, art restoration, and the design and production of high quality crafts.

Laptop Requirement

To complete this program, the student must have the use of a laptop computer. Please consult with the department for current hardware and software recommendations. Students qualify to receive special education discounts on computers and software sold through the Associated Students Bookstore (an Apple authorized campus store). For some programs, in an effort to lower student expenses, bundles consisting of a specially priced Apple laptop computer with the program's required software will be made available at the beginning of each academic year through the Associated Students Bookstore. This laptop computer package is expected to serve the student for the entire length of the four-year program.

 

Catalog Cycle:12