Visual Arts

The visual arts program at North Dakota State University offers a strong studio major in the context of a broad-based humanities degree. It provides a wide range of courses and involvement in the belief that full development of an individual's creative ability, critical intellect and social and historical awareness is the best preparation for a rewarding life and career. The Department of Visual Arts and the Division of Fine Arts share the conviction that practice and proliferation of art in a society positively reflects cultural awareness, diversity and endurance, as well as freedom of expression.

The Program

The visual arts are an exciting part of campus life at NDSU. Students from every college in the University take both studio and academic courses in the art program, bringing with them a rich variety of perspectives and interests from professional commitment to sheer personal enjoyment of art. As a primary career specialization, or as a supplement to some other major field, art is one of the most versatile areas of study. Students of art develop a life-long commitment to visual understanding and expression.

The Facilities

The new Downtown Campus facility housing the Department of Visual Arts is a multimillion-dollar state-of-the-art facility. The building provides well-equipped studio facilities for drawing, painting, design, digital media, printmaking, photography, sculpture and ceramics. The department maintains a slide library of art imagery along with a full range of audio-visual equipment. Secure semiprivate studio space is available for all art majors, and a number of individual student studios are available. Both Macintosh and PC computers with graphic arts software for digital media are available in the Downtown Campus cluster. The print shop houses several etching and litho presses as well as facilities for silkscreen printing. The ceramic studio boasts three gas kilns and a wood burning kiln, clay mixing facilities and 30 throwing wheels. The large sculpture studio houses various types of welders, a plasma cutter and other tools for metal work, woodworking and carving in stone. A high-tech classroom for art history seats 75 and is also available for smaller classes. The department has its own gallery in the Reineke Fine Arts Center on campus as well as gallery space in the Downtown facility, the President's Gallery in Old Main and the Memorial Union Gallery. A wide range of exhibitions including national traveling exhibitions, and student and faculty shows are always available on and off campus. In close proximity to the Plains Art Museum, the department and the Plains work closely together, enhancing art experiences for the entire region.

The Faculty

The faculty is composed of Kimble Bromley (Department Coordinator), Kent Kapplinger, Kristi Groberg, David Swenson and adjuncts Jason Moore, Nate Booth and Esther Hockert. These faculty members are professional artists active at regional, national and international levels in art exhibitions, art research, art organizations and critical writing. All faculty are widely experienced, and are committed to the value and importance of art in life. The art faculty prides itself in being very accessible to students at all times for individual consultation and critique.

PEARS Program

The Printmaking Education and Research Studio (PEARS) is housed in the Visual Arts Department. This specialized program broadens student exposure to artists working in the printmaking medium by facilitating collaborations to create editions of prints. The program provides classes and workshops for students, instructors and artists seeking both traditional and the latest in technological information. The program offers artist residencies, internships and studio rentals to qualified artists and promotes sales and exhibition of artwork produced in the studio.

Career Opportunities

Art students develop a life-long commitment to visual understanding, critical thinking and individual expression. Potential careers include elementary/secondary art education, commercial art/graphic design, animation, illustration, arts marketing, commercial photography, museum/gallery work, exhibition design, art therapy, independent studio art, municipal art programs, art criticism, independent art instruction, art media research, arts organizations, arts-funding agencies and university instruction.

The Curriculum

The art curriculum places emphasis on developing individual concept/content within a broad range of knowledge and skills. The small size of the program offers a highly flexible and personal approach to each student's development. All majors start the program with a strong foundation in design and drawing. Through experience in diverse art media, majors develop an area of concentration culminating in a three-credit baccalaureate project and thesis exhibition during the senior year. The Tri-College University, which includes Concordia College and Minnesota State University Moorhead, offers students access to specialized courses not offered in the NDSU art curriculum. All art students are strongly encouraged to supplement their education with outside art experience, such as summer internships, and to participate in national and international art competitions and exhibitions.

Scholarships

New student scholarships are awarded each fall and also as part of the Reineke Visual Arts Gallery High School Competition. Limited scholarships are awarded to motivated students based upon excellence and need. For more information contact the NDSU Division of Fine Arts at (701) 231-7932, PO Box 5691, Fargo, ND 58105.

The Degrees—Art Major

Students majoring in art have a choice of degree options. The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) is the professional degree requiring 79 credit hours in art with an emphasis in a specific discipline. The Bachelor of Arts (BA) and the Bachelor of Science (BS) require 39 hours in art. The BA also requires a competency in a foreign language through the intermediate level and the BS requires a minor in another discipline. A minimum of 122 credit hours is needed for graduation.

Sample Curriculum

    Bachelor of Fine Arts

Art Minor

An art minor can be a positive addition to any other area of study. The study of art improves comprehension and interpretation of all visual input. The art minor requires 18 hours:

Art 122 - Two-Dimensional Design	3
Art 124 - Three-Dimensional Design	3
Art 130 - Drawing I	3
Art Electives	9
Totals	18

This sample curriculum is not intended to serve as a curriculum guide for current students, but rather an example of course offerings for prospective students. For the curriculum requirements in effect at the time of entrance into a program, consult with an academic adviser or with the Office of Registration and Records.

Contact Information

Division of Fine Arts
North Dakota State University
Reineke Fine Arts Center 107A
Fargo, ND 58108

Tel: (701) 231-7932
Fax: (701) 231-2085
Email: Kimble.Bromley@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/finearts

Office of Admission

North Dakota State University
Ceres 114
Dept 5230, PO Box 6050
Fargo, ND 58108-6050

Tel: (701) 231-8643
Fax: (701) 231-8802
Email: NDSU.Admission@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/prospective_students/

(02/10)