Assessment Overview
In 2003, the Department of Art instituted a new program of student assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to better track the progress of our students in the creation of a professional portfolio, which is the primary requirement of all graduating art majors in preparation for employment or graduate study. The Department does not require a portflolio review for acceptance into the art program, however students must exhibit growth, dedication and artistic maturation during their first two years to remain in the program. Successful students will be asked to stay in the program. Students who fail to demonstrate these qualities will be prevented from continuing in the department, or in their chosen concentration.
Each year all students will be assessed, based on their work shown in a portfolio review. These assessments are based on where the student is in the program, and evaluates the quality of the work, attention to craftsmanship and execution, quality and creativity of solution, and the ability of the student to express themselves verbally and visually. Assessments are always held the week before spring break. Students are responsible for preparation of work, and signing up on time. They are notified through Blackboard emails, and posters in the Art Department.
How It Works
The First Portfolio Review
As incoming freshman, all students in the art department take courses in a foundations program of drawing, design and art history their first year. These classes are coordinated to give similar instruction with similar evaluation processes. In the spring of a freshman's second semester, they will presentÑand be assessedÑon their portfolio of five works from their first year demonstrating facility in the different media from the areas of drawing and design. They will also be evaluated for their speaking skills.This evaluation is administered again their senior year for the Department to track their progress, and serves to fullfill the speaking intensive requirement. This assessment will determine the student's ability to stay in the art program, and continue in their area of concentration, (graphic design, photography, crafts, etc). Students can pick up their assessment results after Spring Break from the department office. This will include comments and a pass/fail evaluation. Students failing the assessment should immediately make an appointment with their academic advisor to plan their alternatives. Students passing the first assessment will register for art classes for their sophomore year. Freshman Scholarships are awarded based upon performance in this review.
The Second Portfolio Review
Sophomores in the department begins to take courses in their area of concentration during the fall of their third semester. Sophomores are evaluated during the spring assessment week, where they present a portfolio of a minimum of five works completed during their sophomore year, and all from classes taken in their area of concentration. They must present their materials professionally (matted, slides, or Powerpoint,). In addition they also prepare a resume and artist's statement. They will be interviewed by faculty members in their area of concentration. Their continued study in this area will depend upon satisfactory completion of the second assessment. Students can pick up their assessment results after Spring Break from the department office. This will include comments and a pass/fail evaluation. Students failing the assessment should immediately make an appointment with their academic advisor to plan their alternatives. Students passing the second assessment will register for art classes for their junior year. Sophomore Scholarships are awarded based upon performance in this review.
Junior Portfolio Review and Project Proposal
Juniors will continue work in their area of concentration. During the Spring assessment, all juniors will have their portfolio reviewed, as well as present a proposal for a Senior Professional Project, which will be the core of their professional portfolio. During this assessment, Juniors will present a portfolio of a minimum of five works completed during their junior year, and all from classes taken in their area of concentration. In addition, they will present a typewritten proposal for their Senior Professional Project. One of the works in their portfolio should relate to this project either in theme or method of execution. In addition, preparatory drawings and thumbnail sketches, research materials, and an artist's statement and resume will also be evaluated.A faculty panel will review and critique the concept/theme, and give direction for further research and exploration. Students should expect to begin work right after their Project is approved, and continue during the summer and all the next year.
Senior Professional Project
A first semester senior, having satisfactorily completed the Junior Assessment, will enroll in Art 461, Senior Seminar. This class will track the student's project process. In the three days after Fall break, or during the Spring assessment (depending on graduation date), senior's projects will be evaluated. All seniors must pass this mid-project assessment. They will present the work completed to date, and receive guidance and direction from Faculty in their area of concentration. Students must pass this evaluation to pass Art 461, which is a graduation requirement. Students failing this evaluation must repeat Art 461 and the mid-project assessment to qualify for graduation.
The last semester of their senior year, students will enroll in Art 462, Senior Professional Project. In the Fall or Spring Assessment, (depending upon graduation date), students will create 10 pieces of original artwork based on the Junior Project Proposal, and a typed resume and artist's statement. They must present their materials professionally, (matted, slides, or Powerpoint). Faculty will evaluate their work, and their ability to discuss the work about style, methods and intent. Upon satisfactory completion of this project, the faculty panel will choose 3 pieces from this project to include in a year end exhbition.