Academic Information ¬ 29
Foundation Program Course Requirements
Orientation to Art and Design
The liberal arts curriculum features innovative
semester, students begin advanced courses in the
Drawing I
approaches to teaching, including a botany course
chosen concentration. Each area of concentration
2-D Design/Digital
that incorporates botanical illustration and a math
features a broad range of options, allowing students
3-D Design Elements
course that focuses on geometry as applied in
to sharpen their focus and shape their personal vision.
Prehistoric through Gothic Art History
drawing. Through writing across the curriculum,
Through the combination of intense studio experience
College Expository Writing
students develop skills in written and oral
and a rigorous study of liberal arts, each area
Foundation Seminar: Introduction to the Majors
communication in liberal arts and in studio classes.
emphasizes conceptual development, critical thinking,
Drawing II
Students also acquire research skills that prepare
and the development of a cohesive body of work.
Color/Digital Applications
them for professional work and lifelong learning. The
3-D Design Principles
knowledge and skills that students gain in the liberal
courses at CVA teach students to document, display,
Renaissance through Modern Art History
arts play an important role in cultivating a worldview
and market their work. Fine Arts students work
Academic Research and Writing
that recognizes the value of art and design in
closely with faculty mentors who are established
Total 32
promoting pride in place and responsible citizenship.
artists. Students learn how to identify and reach their
Experiential learning is emphasized at CVA.
sculpture during the sophomore year. In the third
To prepare fine arts majors as professional artists,
audience and to contribute their unique problem Students must complete their Foundation courses before moving onto their major.
Liberal Arts
Fine Arts Major Materials and methods are explored as relationships between form and content are developed. Advanced students are challenged to create bodies of work for
The liberal arts are fully integrated throughout CVA’s
exhibition in the community and will learn about
curriculum. Students take two liberal arts courses
the broad range of professional opportunities to
each semester, which help to convey knowledge
pursue. These include maintaining a studio practice,
and critical reasoning skills essential to artists and
preparing to exhibit and sell work, creating public
designers. The liberal arts program is tailored to be of
murals, working on commissions, illustrating,
particular value to students of art and design, without
teaching, and applying to graduate school.
sacrificing the rigor and breadth of a general liberal
arts education. Liberal arts courses are offered in art
language, technical skills, and problem solving
history, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences,
strategies during the Foundation year, fine arts majors
and mathematics. The study of art history helps
can choose to enter drawing, painting, printmaking,
students understand the context of their own work in
or sculpture as a primary concentration. Each student
the larger world of art and design.
follows a similar path, taking introductory level
After developing the building blocks of visual
courses in drawing, painting, printmaking, and
solving skills to society at large. Students ready themselves for careers as professional artists by developing strong speaking and writing abilities.
Fine Arts majors participate in the senior
capstone courses. Studio thesis is a year-long experience providing students with the time and focus to strengthen connections between form and concept as they develop a significant body of work. In FA497c: Professional Practices, students are exposed to a variety of career options for artists as they prepare to enter the world as a professional in their chosen discipline.