Department of Art | School of Music | Department of Performance Studies in Music | Department of Academic Studies in Music | Department of Theatre and Drama

Department of Art
James M. Meaders (chair), Chris Blanz*, Jason Briggs*, Joseph Byrne*, Brittany Conners*, Lanie Gannon*, Daniel L. Johnson, Renee LaRose*, Laura Nosh*, Kirsten O’Rourke*, Robin Paris*, David Ribar, Valerie Sloan, Aimee Valliquette*, Teresa Van Hatten-Granath.
*Part-time

Art Courses

Vision:

The Department of Art seeks to provide students with an intensive education in the visual arts in an effort to cultivate their professional, aesthetic, intellectual, and personal development.

Purpose:

To guide students in the development of their artistic skills, creative abilities, and analytical and critical faculties by providing them with a knowledge and sense of art history and a sound foundation in a variety of studio experiences.

Goals:

The Department of Art offers a B.F.A. degree in Studio Art, Design Communications, and Art Education with a 76-hour major. Minors in Art require 18-24 hours with options in Studio, Design Communications, and Art History. The Bachelor of Fine Arts degree is designed to prepare students for professional careers in a variety of art-related fields or for graduate school. The basic requirements for the major and minor in art are presented with their respective course descriptions as follows. Depending on the program of study, students take courses in 2-D and 3-D design, art history, ceramics, color theory, design communications, design history and philosophy, digital imaging, drawing, figure drawing, internships, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, typography, and web page design. The internship in art is designed to provide practical experience for students in supervised work settings. All internships are offered on a Pass/Fail basis.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general requirements for admission to the university, students desiring to major in art must submit supporting data to the Department of Art. Applicants to the B.F.A. program are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. The Department of Art bases its decisions on 1) the quality of the portfolio; 2) a statement of purpose that communicates the student’s desire to pursue an art degree and that articulates a personal vision; 3) the quality of prior academic coursework and test scores.

I. Admission from High School

1. Submit university application materials to the Office of Admissions.
2. Submit written statement of purpose, high school transcripts, ACT or SAT scores, at least one letter of recommendation from a current or former instructor (preferably an art teacher).
3. Personal interviews and other supporting documents are recommended and in some cases may be required.
4. Submit a slide or photographic portfolio that includes 12-20 examples of visual art that reflect your best original work. A portfolio may include painting, drawing, digital media, mixed media, photography, printmaking, and/or sculpture. All portfolios must be accompanied by a corresponding inventory, which lists title, date completed, size, and media of each piece. Applicants must also include an appropriate self-addressed, stamped envelope for the return of their portfolios.
5. Students must be accepted into the Department of Art before they may be advised for registration as art majors.

II. Admission from Another University

    a-e. As listed above for High School, except college/university transcripts in lieu of high school transcripts.

Scholarships

Frank and Margaret Leu Visual Arts Scholarships are awarded to freshmen students who exemplify high personal character and a strong work ethic, a commitment to excellence, and who show great potential to become professional artists. These scholarships are competitive and limited and require interviews, portfolios, letter of application, three letters of recommendation, and all transcripts and test scores. Students who have been accepted to Belmont University as art majors may inquire about these scholarships through the Department of Art during the fall semester of the year prior to the year of their enrollment.

The Frank Russell Leu, III Art Award is presented to a rising senior art major who exemplifies the same qualities listed above.

Several small Art Supply Scholarships are awarded each academic year to students at any level who are in need of financial assistance with their art supplies. .

Art Courses