Fine Arts Department

The mission of the Fine Arts Department is to develop students' appreciation of the arts, applied artistic and creative skills, communication, and critical and evaluative thinking skills.

The courses offered foster an understanding of scholarship through the arts, highlights the connections between spirituality and the arts; and promotes the exploration of multicultural art forms.

Students in the fine arts program will develop a deep understanding of the humanistic and artistic traditions of the world, and the necessary skills to express it. They will:

• Understand the elements and principles common to all the visual arts.
• Relate the arts to other fields of knowledge.
• Develop creative and analytical skills.
• Acquire the skills and demonstrate the ability to produce 2D and 3D art.
• Demonstrate an understanding of various cultural artistic heritages.
• Develop powers of observation, description, and interpretation of art.

Art Major
The art program offers a major in fine arts with courses in a prerequisite sequence.

Major Requirements

B.A. Degree
Major in Fine Arts
(Min. at Elms College: 24 cr. / Min. G.P.A.: 2.0)
Major Requirements 39 credits

Preparation for Art Therapy
Students selecting a fine arts major and interested in preparing for graduate study in art therapy or expressive art therapy should consider the following electives:

• Art 261(Expressive Art Therapy & Women)
• Art 359 (Expressive Arts Therapy & Children)
• PSY 201 (General Psychology)
• PSY 210 (Experimental Psychology)
• PSY 235 (Psychology of Adolescence)
• PSY 310 (Psychology of Women)

Preparation for Art Education
We don't offer an approved program in art education, but students who want to teach art can major in fine arts and take these three education courses: EDU 100, EDU 150 and EDU 319. You can also take courses in art education through the Cooperating Colleges of Greater Springfield (CCGS).
(Students wishing to study to be art teachers should consult with the Massachusetts Department of Education regarding a provisional certification as outlined in the Requirements for Educator Licensure and Preparatory Program Approval 2001.)

Art Minor
Students selecting art as a minor follow an 18-credit version of the major. They get studio practice in two- and three-dimensional expression, and a two-semester survey of art history.

Minor in Fine Arts
Minor Requirements: 18 credits

Media
Courses in graphic design and computer generated graphics/electronic media can be part of an interdisciplinary major in art and media management. Students may arrange internships with publishers, printers, television stations, museums, galleries, newspapers, and design companies.

Dance
We offer courses in ballet, jazz, and modern dance as electives in the core curriculum as well as general electives by special arrangement with the New England Dance Conservatory, this region's leading professional dance center. The conservatory is directed by Kenneth Lipitz and Shelley Ziebel, whose credentials include work as artistic directors, principal dancers, teachers, and choreographers for professional schools, colleges, and leading professional dance companies throughout North America.
Students choosing to add to their dance involvement may also participate in classes at the conservatory's studios in East Longmeadow.
Jazz, modern dance, contemporary ballet, and dance survey may be used as electives in fulfillment of either the humanities component of the core curriculum or the physical well-being component. At the discretion of the Fine Arts Department, students majoring in art may elect two courses in dance, music, or drama as part of their major requirement. Students whose minor is art may elect one course from the above areas as part of their minor requirement.