Art and Design at NMU

The objective of the Art and Design Department is to prepare students for participation in the professional fields of art, design, and education, broadening the scope of their experience by providing intellectual support for art beyond the limits of studio skills. The department, through the Northern Michigan University Art Museum, also provides students with exposure to exhibitions exemplifying the cultural breadth of the visual arts from national, regional and local sources, including the university’s permanent art collection.

The Art and Design Department prepares students for the many occupations that incorporate artists, designers and educators. Graduates of the program are employed throughout the country in careers ranging from art directors and art teachers to entrepreneurs of large and small enterprises. In recent years the department has expanded its offerings to provide additional career opportunities in areas such as blacksmithing, printmaking, electronic imaging, video production and commercial photography.

In addition to the baccalaureate degree, the department offers the required courses for art teacher certification, a two-year associate degree, a non-teaching minor and a minor in art history.

 All of the department’s faculty members are regionally and nationally recognized for their work.

Art and Design Programs

The Art and Design Department curriculum provides students with a broad knowledge of concepts, social issues, procedures and tools in the design and production of art objects. Liberal studies and art courses are combined in programs which lead to the bachelor of fine arts, bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, or a two-year associate of applied arts degree.

The department also provides support courses in the technical communication major (see Interdisciplinary and Individually Created Programs section of this bulletin). Information for students interested in a career in architecture is found in the Preprofessional Programs section.

The department offers a master in art education degree in conjunction with the College of Professional Studies.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts

This degree is for students who wish to be fully prepared professionals in the visual arts with the appropriate credentials for participation in professional associations in various fields of art and design. The program combines the advantages of professional art school experience with the university’s concern for intellectual support of professional action. It prepares students to participate more broadly in the arts beyond the limits of studio skills.

The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science

Under the general university rules governing these two degrees, the following curriculum choices are available:

1. The major-minor combination provides breadth and depth of experience for professional performance while allowing students to minor in an area of art and design according to their interests or specific vocational aims. The major-minor provides enough credits to assure students accreditation as artists or art educators anywhere in the United States.

2. The major in art and design, together with minors in associated fields, prepares students especially well for particular career goals. This planning is done with the aid of faculty advisers.

Criteria for Remaining  in the Art and Design Program

1. Students in AD 203 Individual Art Review must receive a grade of "S" to proceed into upper level courses in art and design.

2. Students in AD 303 Individual Art Review must also receive a passing grade of "S."

3. Both courses may be repeated, but students receiving one or more grades of "U" or "W" will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Art Education-Certification in Art K - 12

Certification is obtained by completing a major/minor in art and design and the professional education sequence.

Associate of Applied Arts Degree

A two-year art associate curriculum leads to an associate degree in one of three area majors:

1. Media Illustration—electronic imaging (drawing/painting), drawing/painting, illustration, sculpture, printmaking;

2. Crafts—ceramics, metalworking, woodworking, product design/furniture design;

3. Industrial Media—electronic imaging (publishing, modeling), graphic communication, photography, digital cinema, environmental design.

Pre-architecture

Students interested in the pre-architectural program should inquire at the department office. Details of the program are listed under Pre-professional Programs.

Areas of Concentration

In each area, students are taught knowledge, social aspects, techniques and skills to prepare them for the design and construction of images and/or products at a professional level. Areas include:

Types of Course Offerings

The following courses provide artists with greater depth in the supporting knowledge of the visual arts. The study of humans, their behavior and the context of art are incorporated in the content of all major courses.

1. Concentration– courses comprising one studio area or studio concentration—100, 200, and seminar level courses.

2. Cognates– courses developing the concepts used by artists which are drawn from sociology, psychology, and the physical sciences.

3. Art History– courses devoted to the study of western and non-western art and architecture within a historical framework. Since art and design is primarily a studio department, art history courses take as their central concern (though not exclusive) concepts that are relevant for the studio artist.

4. Individual Art Review– a series of courses required of art and design majors to develop at each level as professional artists. All work is evaluated by the faculty.

5. Associate Research– courses arranged with the major professor of the studio concentration, for students working toward an associate degree to offer an opportunity to advance their skills and experience with studio equipment.

Department/Program Policies

Students must purchase supplies individually and/or contribute to a purchasing cooperative for the studio courses in which they are enrolled.

Art and design majors who plan to transfer from a community college are advised to take liberal arts courses, as well as art courses in the areas of design, drawing, and history of western art.

Students majoring in art and design education or minoring in art education must maintain a grade point average of 2.7 or greater with no grade below a "C" in the professional education sequence, the major and/or minors and required cognates combined.

Prerequisites for Individual Art Review

Students registering for AD 203 Individual Art Review, AD 303 Individual Art Review and AD 403 Individual Art Review must complete the following prerequisites prior to enrollment:

1. Instructor permission;

2. Receive a grade of "S" in all previous Individual Art Review courses; and

3. Complete the required cognate courses in their selected studio concentration with a "B-" (2.7) average.

Art and Design Program Listing