The academic requirements for studio art represent a specialized course of study within the larger context of a diverse liberal arts education. Not only are these requirements designed to provide a focused and rigorous approach to the core concepts of the discipline, but they also allow ample opportunities for exploration in other subjects and departments throughout the university. By studying studio art at DePauw, you will develop comprehensive expertise in your field while enjoying the benefits of a well-rounded education.
Eleven
Three introductory studio art courses--one from each of the following categories recommended:
And Senior Projects: ARTS 491 and ARTS 492
Four additional studio art courses at the 200 or 300-level, at least one of which must be at the 300-level. Two art history courses, one survey (ARTH 131, ARTH 132, ARTH 133, ARTH 134, or ARTH 135) and one upper level course (ARTH 226 recommended).
Three including ARTS 491 and ARTS 492
The senior comprehensive requirement consists of the completion of ARTS 491, Senior Projects (fall semester senior year) and ARTS 492, Senior Projects (spring semester senior year) with a grade of C or better, and an exhibition of the student's work at the end of the senior year. Throughout this two seminar sequence, students will review the major methodologies of studio art practice through sustained exploration of ideas, continued experimentation with materials and techniques, ongoing critiques with faculty and peers and the development of a professional artist's packet. Examples of contemporary art practice will be investigated though lectures, readings, research presentations and museum visits. At the end of spring semester, students will present a cohesive, conceptually focused body of work for exhibition and a formal gallery talk at the opening reception in the Visual Arts Gallery.
In order to fulfill the writing in the major requirement, studio art majors enrolled in ARTS 491 will write a two to three page research-based artist statement in conversation with the artwork they are producing in their studios. Students will identify and research artistic influences as related to their studio practice, as well as contextualize that practice within art history and contemporary cultural concerns. The ideas that students explore through this writing requirement will be informed by and influence the public presentation of their artwork, which regularly happens through verbal critique and artist talks.
Five
Four studio art courses. At least one 300 level studio art course is required for all minors.
One course in art history.
One
Leveraging the resources of the Creative School, the studio art major at DePauw is housed in the Department of Art and Art History. This department empowers students to engage, critique and shape culture by understanding and applying the fundamentals of effective artistic expression.
