The Department of Visual Arts and New Media provides a balanced, comprehensive undergraduate program in the practice, theory, and history of the visual arts and new media. The department offers both majors and elective students an opportunity to experience the arts as an important and enriching facet of a liberal arts education. Whether the goal is a career or advanced study in the arts and new media, or simply a greater understanding of art and technology's cultural impact, the curriculum includes a dynamic mix of studios, lectures, and seminars. The program provides a comprehensive foundation of design skills with an emphasis on visual expression, conceptual thinking, and the ability to create with artistic sensibilities. Visual Arts and New Media majors study an interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizing the concepts, theories, design, aesthetics and skills that underlie the domain of the visual arts and computer graphics. Content covers traditional methods and materials, emerging technologies, and the ideas inherent in art making and art awareness.
Our graduates possess a unique set of hybrid skills that provide a critical edge for leadership positions in the competitive and evolving marketplace. Many of our graduates have successful careers in corporate and public settings as art directors, working artists and designers, teachers, creative freelancers and owners of pottery studios, photo studios and design firms. Others work as photographer's assistants, web designers, gallery directors and curators, and in the special effects industry. Visual Arts and New Media students have also continued their education in graduate programs around the country.
For the Visual Arts and New Media majors, the department offers multiple opportunities for professional education in visual arts and new technology specialties and art history through various degree options. Students may receive a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Arts and New Media, a Bachelor of Arts in Art History or a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Animation + Illustration, Ceramics, Drawing + Painting, Graphic Design, Media Arts, Photography, or Sculpture. Individual curriculums can be found in the 2007-09 course catalog on pages 89-92.
Admission to the department requires the submission of an acceptable portfolio for both freshman and transfer students. It is recommended that all prospective students contact the department for additional information concerning portfolios and admission. In-person reviews may be required for transfer students, depending on discipline choice, please contact the department. Transfer students are also advised that it may take more than two years at Fredonia to complete BFA requirements, depending on their chosen major.
Specific information for current Fredonia students and prospective students can be found in the 2008-2009 Student Handbook (click on link to download PDF copy).
