University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth

University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth distinguishes itself as a vibrant public university actively engaged in personalized teaching and innovative research, and acting as an intellectual catalyst for regional and global economic, social, and cultural development.

Within a climate that is inclusive, open, and diverse, UMass Dartmouth will be the university of choice for students seeking high quality liberal arts and science programs as well as professional academic programs that build a foundation for civic responsibility, individual skills and professional success. UMass Dartmouth will distinguish itself by providing a personalized academic environment where the scholarly research and creative activities of faculty and graduate students are interwoven with the undergraduate experience.

UMass Dartmouth aspires to create additional Masters and Doctoral programs, with commensurate support, in addition to enhanced technological capabilities for the delivery of our educational and outreach programs.

 ABOUT CVPA

CVPA, the College of Visual and Performing Arts, is a comprehensive arts college with Bachelor's and Master's programs that prepare students for careers in the arts. To assure that its programs meet appropriate standards, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the national accrediting body for the visual arts.

Undergraduate students in the college may choose concentrations from a broad spectrum of the arts, all of which provide a framework for developing a high degree of professional competence and pursuing individual creative goals. Essential to this framework are the academic programs and resources of the whole university.

Students of Visual Design may select Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography, or Digital Media and receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Visual Design. Students of Artisanry may select Ceramics, Jewelry/ Metals, or Textile Design/Fiber Arts and receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Students may also pursue Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in Art Education, Painting/2D Studies, or Sculpture/3D Studies. Students may also pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History or in Music.

The facilities and equipment on the Dartmouth and New Bedford campuses are a source of pride for our students and faculty, and are among the finest in New England. Visits by applicants are encouraged.

UNDERGRADUATE DEGREES:

The College of Visual and Performing Arts is a dynamic arts college offering Bachelor's degree programs in which faculty challenge students to be the very best they can be, and to become fluent in the language of the arts and proficient in the skills and techniques relevant to their fields of interest.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education

The BFA in Art Education is a broad-based degree program, offering courses in the theory and practice of art and education as well as supervised fieldwork in surrounding communities. The scope of the program allows students to work in public or private school systems and other private and public agencies where they can use the arts to engage others in the creative process. The BFA in Art Education is a 130-credit program of study.

Bachelor of Arts in Art History

The Art History curriculum provides its majors with a broad understanding of the major periods and areas of art history, acquaints them with various methods and theories of art historical study, and allows concentration on topics and periods of the student's choosing. In addition, the major offers students opportunities to propose and carry out research projects and to work in arts institutions. The BA in Art History is a 120-credit course of study.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Artisanry

The Department of Artisanry offers three majors:  Ceramics, Jewelry/Metals and Textile Design/Fiber Arts. The curriculum for each major emphasizes material exploration and disciplined technique bonded with a sophisticated aesthetic as the basis of innovative design and personal expression.  Each discipline is grounded in the belief that studio practice exists in strong alliance with history and theory.

Upon graduation, Artisanry students have a strong sense of their own originality and vision, as well as a developed sensitivity to the cultural and environmental demands of contemporary society. The BFA in Artisanry is a 124-credit program of study.

GRADUATE PROGRAM:

The College of Visual and Performing Arts is a dynamic arts college offering a Master of Art Education (MAE) degree and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree.

Master of Art Education

The MAE degree offers traditional and innovative opportunities for the professional art teacher in curriculum design, educational issues, and reflective practices. The MAE program is supervised by the Director of the MAE Program and has its own application process, program structure, and degree requirements toward the Post Baccalaureate Initial Licensure, Professional Licensure and graduation. The Post Baccalaureate Initial Licensure and Professional Licensure course work provides multiple experiences in visual arts education by integrating individual studio practice, scholarly research, and ongoing participation in the K-12 classroom environment.

Master of Fine Arts

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth offers three Master of Fine Arts degree programs: Artisanry, Fine Arts, and Visual Design. These programs are separate, but share similar admission policies, program structures, and degree requirements. The MFA Graduate Program Director and the Graduate Committee oversee all MFA and degree programs and graduate student progress toward the degree. The Master of Fine Arts is generally regarded as the highest degree offered in the visual arts, and qualifies the graduate for professional work in the disciplines available through our curriculum. Careers as studio artists devoted to the expression of personal concepts, as teachers at the university level, or as a commercial artists and designers whose work is market-based and client-driven, are all possible outcomes of graduate study in the visual arts. There are also numerous allied career paths, such as curatorial practice, arts administration, art direction, and publishing, which benefit from the level of accomplishment which the Master of Fine Arts degree affords. The College of Visual and Performing Arts supports the philosophy that significant achievement in the visual arts is the product of inspired conception, critical dialogue, individualized attention to students, and maturing skill. Our state of the art facilities offer the arena for challenging explorations and the level of creative innovation which is expected of committed graduate students.

Ref: http://www.umassd.edu/

University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth
Group VI - College of Visual & Performing Arts
285 Old Westport Road
North Dartmouth, MASSACHUSETTES 02747-2300
508-999-9295