Art (A) major

The Studio Art Major at Alverno College engages students with social, technical and expressive skills that allow them to make impact  through cultural participation. Art students work in the ability-based curriculum and graduate with strong communication, leadership and problem-solving skills necessary to facilitate workshops, lead community projects, speak at public art events, exhibit original artwork or join creative teams.

Students receive a rich foundation in art, art history, design, community art and general liberal studies. Students choose twenty-one credits of electives that match personal artistic goals, and options to individualize creative skills, originality and self-expression.

In addition to highly personal artistic practice in the electives students look outward. They can select international study, art in the museum or help plan events each semester with a visiting art professional. Students learn to facilitate large group creative projects that explore important topics such as sustainable or greener art, business and networking, cultural expression or socially aware art that benefits communities.

Students build professional skills through courses in art gallery management, self-employment in the arts, grant writing, content development, public art projects or exhibitions on campus and in the broader community. Students explore public speaking, entrepreneurship, art markets, gallery design and social media to define career aspirations, networking and promotion of their creative products. Students select their internships to match their interests and may work at local galleries, museums, design firms, cultural agencies or art organizations.

Students complete their study by designing a final graduating exhibition of their own advanced artwork. They work with other students to design and promote a professional exhibition including several art media, and internship or service projects. They present a public artist talk and host an opening reception to highlight their achievements. This senior seminar affords students the opportunity to develop portfolios, media presence and professional materials that advance their early art career.

Beginning Requirements
A-100Community Art/Design Midsemester0
A-121Analytic Drawing3
A-122Expressive Drawing3
A-130Aesthetic Engagement Ext Assessmnt Lev 10
A-1342-D Design3
A-146Self Employment in the Arts1
A-147Grant Writing for Artists & Educators1
Art Series Workshop A-140G or A-140S1
A-189SForm and Space4
A-193CArt in the Professions2
A-230Aesthetic Engagement Ext Assessmnt Lev 20
Intermediate Requirements
A-100Community Art/Design Midsemester 10
AHS-210Ancient to Byzantine Art2
A-221Beginning Figure Drawing3
A-2343-D Design3
A-262Graphic Design & Illustration3
AHS-252Medieval to Modern Art4
A-330Aesthetic Engagement Ext Assessmnt Lev 30
A-395Ext Assessmnt Aesthetic Engagement Lev 40
A-384Art Gallery Mgt & Social Media1
MDIA-381Content Development Media Design3
A-399Formal Introduction to Advanced Work0
A ElectiveArt (A) Electives18
Advanced Requirements
A-100Community Art/Design Midsemester0
AHS ElectiveArt History (AHS) Electives2-4
INTERN-383Internship Seminar2
AHS-409Modern & Contemporary Art3
A-482Ext Assmnt of Effective Citzenship Lvl 40
A-483Advanced Internship Seminar2
or A-484 Adv Art Gallery Mgt & Social Media
MDIA-401New Media3
A-491Senior Art Seminar1
A-400Ext Assessmnt Aesthetic Engagement Lev 50
A-450Ext Assessmnt Aesthetic Engagement Lev 60