DEPARTMENT OF ART AND ART HISTORY
STUDIO ART
A hallmark of the studio art program has
been its focus on a broad liberal arts experience and its small classes
that enable each student to receive individualized guidance. Foundation
courses serve as an introduction to two- dimensional and three-
dimensional thinking. Intermediate- and upper- level courses stress more
advanced and comprehensive work in drawing, painting, design,
printmaking, computer/ multimedia, and photography. The computer is a
critical component in the visual arts and the studio curriculum
acknowledges that it will become one of the key means of forming
connections between disciplines. The studio curriculum encourages
experimentation and explorations of all media to prepare students for a
future as a visual artist. The flexibility of the advanced program
provides the student with endless potential for exciting and stimulating
study.
On the undergraduate level, three degrees
are available. The department offers a comprehensive B. A. degree in
studio art, or students can pursue the studio art B. A. with an emphasis
in graphic design/ photography. The B. A. in art is a more general
degree option that combines art history and studio art. Students
interested in art education can pursue an undergraduate program of study
leading to teacher certification. Developed with the School of
Education, this program provides students with extensive studio training
and a strong foundation in aesthetics and art history. It is a five-
year program, with the last two years involving courses in education and
student teaching. Students graduate with a very competitive dual degree
in studio art and secondary education.
On the graduate level, the department
offers a 36-hour M. A. degree in studio art. Application deadlines for
the graduate program are March 1 for the Fall semester and October 15
for the Winter semester. Summer semester submission is not available.
Applicants are required to submit a slide portfolio as part of their
application. Currently students from the United States and abroad are
pursuing the advanced degree with emphases in photography, printmaking,
electronic media and painting.
Resources and Special Features of the Department
As its name suggests, the Department of Art
and Art History has strengths in both areas. Students majoring in studio
or general art take art history courses to ensure an integrated and
well-balanced program of study. Significant contemporary art exhibitions
at the UMKC Gallery of Art, housed in the Fine Arts Building, feature
work by internationally known artists, as well an annual student
exhibition. The gallery also sponsors visiting artists, art historians
and critics, in addition to lectures, workshops and symposia. Thus the
gallery exhibitions and publications are an integral part of the
instructional mission of the Department of Art and Art History. Access to the encyclopedic collections of
the nearby Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art enhances student opportunities to
study original works of art first- hand. Also a valuable resource for
the studio student is the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art Library, which
contains more than 100,000 volumes. The Linda Hall Library of Science
and Technology and the Western Historical Manuscripts Collection also
provide important resources for the studio student. A thriving
commercial gallery community assures that studio students will have
ample opportunities to survey current issues and trends in the visual
arts.
Also housed in the studios of the Department of Art and Art History is the Hand Print Press. The Hand Print Press was established to provide artists and professional printmakers with a state-of-the-art studio for the publication of prints. The press also acts as a mentoring organization for younger artists interested in the creation of prints.
Studios
The department occupies studio and lecture
space throughout four floors of the Fine Arts Building in the center of
the Volker campus. In addition to the traditional drawing,
painting, graphic design and foundations studios, the Department of Art
and Art History also houses professionally equipped studios in
photography, printmaking and computer/media arts.
Over the years the studio program, in
cooperation with the UMKC Gallery of Art Visiting Artist Program, has
brought to the campus artists with a wide variety of international
perspective. The visiting artist program has hosted a variety of
workshops, lectures and symposia. The following is a partial listing of
artists who have visited the studio programs.
