Art and Design

The Art and Design department is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and offers both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees in art and in art education. Students pursuing an art degree choose an emphasis in art history, graphic design, illustration, interactive media design, photography, or studio (ceramics, jewelry, painting, printmaking, sculpture or woodworking). Students seeking to become elementary or secondary art teachers select the Visual Arts P-12 Teaching Major. Program requirements for the art education major with P-12 certifications are consistent with the teacher education licensure requirements in the State of Indiana. Minors in art education (elementary or secondary) are available to non-Art major who desire additional experience with art education, but this minor does not provide certification for teaching licensure for visual art. Minors in art history, graphic design, photography, and studio art are available to all students, including Art majors with separate emphasis.

The art and art education programs serve to help students define their own professional goals and to provide entry into career fields or graduate study. Upon completion of their studies at USI, many art majors have been accepted into graduate programs at prestigious institutions throughout the country. The art faculty takes pride in the accomplishments of its graduates who have achieved success as graphic designers, artists, elementary to university-level teachers, museum and gallery personnel, and art historians.

The Art and Design department consists of four integrated academic areas: studio art, graphic design, art education, and art history. Introductory courses in design, drawing, and art history prepare students for entry into their chosen area of study within the art and art education programs. All art courses are designed to help students develop technical and conceptual skills, establish a foundation for critical thinking and fulfill their creative potential. In order to enhance their understanding of the visual arts, all art students complete a sequence of art history courses. An internship program offers junior and senior art students the opportunity to work in professional settings at design studios, museums and galleries. Ultimately, the goal of the art program is to prepare each student to become a contributing member of the art profession, the community and society as a whole.

The Kenneth P. McCutchan Art Center/Palmina F. and Stephen S. Pace Galleries contributes to the educational experience at USI by providing a professional exhibition space for the creative work of art majors, faculty members, and alumni, as well as special exhibits such as the University’s art collection, visiting artists, traveling exhibits, and juried invitational shows. The art program also is affiliated with the New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art, which provides continuous art exhibitions during the academic year.

Note: For a 15-week semester, one semester credit hour equals one contact hour of class instruction for lecture courses (most ARTH and ARTE prefixes). For studio/laboratory courses (most ART and ARTD prefixes) one semester credit hour equals two contact hours of class instruction. All art courses require preparation outside of class.