Art Education

[ BA DEGREE ]

The art education program prepares students to create artwork that is personally meaningful and socially relevant. Students investigate how art and art educators can become active forces for social justice and ecological responsibility. In addition to their study of traditional studio methods, students will design curricula that reflect current practices in art and art education.

It is possible to add the art education licensure to the BA or BFA major in any of the areas of emphasis in the Department of Visual Arts. Experienced faculty members are available to counsel students and help them build a resume of experiences and coursework that will propel them towards their career and education goals. Students acquire an understanding of schools, teachers, and students through supervised observations and teaching experiences. They also develop a professional portfolio. A capstone experience comes in the final semester of the program when the students apply their knowledge and ideas to a real classroom setting as student teachers.

Students in the art education program develop both as artists and as teachers. They engage with teaching and curriculum development as well as hands-on studio work. In their study of art history and contemporary art, students immerse themselves in critical questions about life and creativity. Graduates from the are prepared to work as art specialists, equipped with the skills to teach in primary and secondary schools as well as in other non-school settings. Many former students have also used their art education background for exciting work in museums and galleries or as professional consultants and critics.

Art education builds on the creativity and artistic interests of its students. Pre-major students are required to complete the freshman core courses in drawing, figure drawing, and design in their freshman year. Applicants to the program must submit a slide portfolio of their work and a short essay about their experience and interest in education. Foundation classes in drawing, photography, and two- and three-dimensional design familiarize students with the basic principles, concepts, and techniques of various studio areas. Students develop the ability to teach proficiently in several areas of artistic expertise, i.e. drawing, photography, sculpture, painting, graphic design, computer graphics, ceramics, printmaking, film, new media/genre, installations, and relational aesthetics/social and public engagements.

Beyond the traditional campus experience, students also have opportunities to study abroad in various locations across Europe, the Middle East, and South America during regularly provided Study Abroad programs. Students also have opportunities to participate in state and local conferences.

Faculty

Dan Barney 3116A JKB 801.422.1581 daniel_barney@byu.edu

Mark Graham AREA COORDINATOR 3122 JKB 801.422.5866 mark_graham@byu.edu

Sharon R. Gray 3116C JKB 801.422.6003 sharon_gray@byu.edu

Diane Asay PART TIME INSTRUCTOR 3119E JKB 801.422.1649 diane_asay@byu.edu

[ PROGRAM MAP SHEET ]

BA in ART EDUCATION Program Map (pdf) Get Adobe Reader here