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Art / Studio Art

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THE MAJOR	WHO SUCCEEDS	CAREERS	INTERNSHIPS	WEBSITES

THE MAJOR
Studio Art is a major offered by the School of Art & Art History, a program within the College of Visual and Performing Arts.

JMU Studio Areas of Emphasis:
General Fine Arts (Painting and Drawing, 3D computer animation, Sculpture, Ceramics, Fiber and weaving, Metals and Jewelry, Printmaking, Photography, Industrial Design), Graphic Design, Interior Design. Teacher Licensure, PK–12, is offered in conjunction with all studio art areas.

Admission and Progression Standards for this major:

Click on the link to learn more about the admission and progression standards of this major: http://www.jmu.edu/advising/snapshots/SSART.shtml

Description of Major:
The School discerns five distinct goals for the teaching of art at JMU: 1) to prepare future professional artists and designers; 2) to educate future art historians and museum specialists with a global perspective on the visual arts; 3) to develop and license future elementary and secondary art teachers; 4) to enrich the general education of non-art majors; 5) to supply professional instruction in the visual arts for students who wish to enrich their education by studying art as a second major or minor.

To meet these goals the School of Art and Art History offers the following three undergraduate degrees: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, and Bachelor of Science. The Bachelor of Arts degree offers majors in art history and studio art. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree offers a major in studio art with three areas of emphasis: general fine arts, graphic design, and interior design. The Bachelor of Science degree offers a major in studio art and two areas of emphasis: general fine arts and industrial design. Teaching licensure in art is available as part of all degree programs. A minimum of 120 credits is required for all degrees. There are special admission requirements, including a portfolio review, to become an art major. Students should contact the School of Art and Art History for more information. A student may also declare a minor in Studio Art.

Tell me more about this field of study.
A degree in visual arts is for students interested in working with both their head and their hands. This course of study mainly teaches the student the language of vision and the exploration of ideas along with history and philosophy. While many artists go on to become self-employed by producing and marketing their own art work, others find work inside organizations as designers, craftsmen, or technicians. Some become successful small business owners such as printers, artists/craftsmen, graphic designers, as well as museum workers, curators, gallery workers, educators, and administrators. Many continue on to graduate studies in the arts.

Tell me more about specializations in this major.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in studio art is intended for students interested in pursuing a program of study that encourages a breadth of knowledge in the visual arts and who have an interest or background in the humanities. Students completing the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in general fine arts are prepared with a competence in several media (painting, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, fiber, metals and jewelry, printmaking, photography, and mixed-media) and a professional command of at least one medium. Upon completion of the degree, students are prepared to pursue the professional production and exhibition of their own art of more in-depth study at the graduate level. Students completing the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in graphic design learn the vocabulary, visual perception, methods, processes, craft and technology of graphic design. This includes, but is not limited to, specialized courses in print design, advertising, computer graphics, illustration, package design and special topics courses addressing current design issues and problems. Students completing the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in interior design are prepared to formulate, propose, and execute creative design solutions that incorporate the needs and issues relating to the interior environment, including those dealing with commercial and residential design. The Bachelor of Science degree in studio art is intended for students interested in pursuing a program of study that encourages a breadth of knowledge in the visual arts and who have an interest or stronger background preparation in math and/or the social/natural sciences. Students completing the Bachelor of Science degree with an emphasis in Industrial Design will learn to integrate knowledge of the visual arts with applied technology to create design systems that optimizes the function, value and appearance of manufactured products.

Which concentration is most popular?
Graphic design is chosen by about one half of the students in the art major.

What common major or minor combinations from other departments complement this major?
There are no common combinations but some examples may include: Anthropology, Art History, Biology, Communication Studies, Creative Writing, Educational Media, English, Media Arts and Design, Psychology, Retail Merchandising and Theater & Dance.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS
Successful art and design students are creative, skilled at problem solving, and have an entrepreneurial approach to their work.

CAREERS
Art students at JMU have the opportunity to prepare for a wide variety of art and art-related career fields. Because the School educates art students as critical thinkers and creative problem solvers, graduates have an enhanced ability to think independently, respond flexibly, work productively and compete successfully for employment in career fields that value original and thoughtful creativity. Some graduates choose unrelated careers that utilize skills and experiences developed during their years in college. Keep in mind, some fields will require graduate study or further training. The listing below offers examples of possible career paths and is not meant to be comprehensive.

Advertising Designer
Ceramist
Graphic Artist/Designer
Package Designer
Animator
Computer Animator
Illustrator
Painter
Architect
Computer Graphics Designer
Industrial Designer
Photographer
Art Buyer
Conservator
Interior Designer
Photo Lab Manager
Art Curator
Craftsperson
Interpretive Artisan
Potter
Art Director
Cultural Affairs Director
Jeweler
Preservationist

Art Educator
Environmental Designer
Jewelry Designer
Printmaker
Art Historian
Fashion Designer
Layout Artist
Sculptor
Art Therapist
Freelance Artist
Metalsmith
Stain-Glass Artist
Arts Administrator
Furniture Designer
Model Maker
Textile Designer
Book Designer
Gallery Assistant
Multimedia Designer
Visual Effects Designer
Cartoonist
Gallery Director/Owner
Museum Curator
Web Designer

Who employs Art graduates?
Many artists are self-employed working in their own studios. However they also work for: Advertising Agencies, Architecture Firms, Art Studios, Book Publishers, Colleges/Universities, Craft Stores, Department Stores, Design Firms, Discovery Centers, Galleries, Industrial Design Companies, Interior Design Companies, Magazine Publishers, Manufacturing Companies, Motion Pictures Studios, Museums, Newspapers, Online Services Companies, Performing Arts Centers, Private Schools, Public Schools, TV Stations, and Website Development Companies.

INTERNSHIPS AND PRACTICA THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT
Museums, graphic design studios, architectural firms, interior design companies, and industrial design firms regularly employ interns. Involvement in student clubs and organizations, such as Kappa Pi, National Art Education Association, American Society of Interior Designers, and School of Art and Art History sponsored activities such as University Graphics, (replace “or University Galleries” with “artWorks Gallery and Sawhill Gallery”) are also great ways to gain experience. (ADD “Students should consult with their advisors about internship opportunities.”) Information on art-related internships can also be found in the Career and Academic Planning Resource Center located in 303 Wilson Hall.

A broad range of resources on career fields, internships, and job search information is also available in the Career and Academic Planning Resource Center located in 303 Wilson Hall.