Weber State University
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Visual ArtsMission Statement Art is the universal language through which we
express our common aspirations and experiences. As such, it has always been a
channel for appreciating and understanding the diversity of humankind. In
contemporary society the use of visual media has expanded rapidly. People who
formerly typed documents now design web pages. More studies are indicating that
children who experience the visual arts are more successful in their other
studies. Attendance at art museums is at an all time high. The need to
experience, understand and successfully create visual media is increasing. The
Department of Visual Arts is prepared to meet these needs. Faculty All of our faculty are practicing
professionals. With current faculty holding advanced degrees from: University of
California at Berkeley, San Jose State University, Utah State University,
University of Iowa, Indiana State University, Ohio State University, State
University of New York Buffalo, the University of Tennessee, East Carolina
University, and Rhode Island School of Design, WSU-DOVA takes pride that the
faculty demonstrate the level of excellence we expect of our students. The DOVA curriculum is designed to offer
students specialized majors in a wide variety of emphases though not without
first equipping them with a solid foundation in art history and aesthetics. The
Department is devoted to preparing students to meet the demands of a
challenging, diverse and rapidly changing world by offering art history courses
with a global perspective as well as extensive and state-of-the-art instruction
in digital media and photography. To address the diverse needs of students,
Weber State University confers three degrees in the visual arts: B.A., B.S.,
B.F.A., and offers over seventy different courses. These courses include areas
such as: art teaching, ceramics, digital media, drawing, metals/jewelry,
painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, visual communications (design or
illustration), and weaving. The department offers courses to non-art majors as
well. As part of the students general education they are required to take at
least one course in the creative arts. All students benefit from studio activity
and analysis which sharpens critical faculties, fosters creativity and
encourages independent thinking. In support of this curriculum, the Department offers a variety of programs. WSU's Art Gallery, for example, is conceived as a space set aside for the exhibition of works of art which exemplify those ideas and values that are taught as part of the University's curriculum in art. In this way the Gallery serves as a classroom and assumes a vital role in the curriculum. The highly regarded DOVA Visiting Artist
Lecture Series, now in its seventeenth consecutive year, also complements the
curriculum as well as the Gallery program. As with the Gallery, the intention of
this program is not only to enrich our own curriculum in the visual arts but
also to contribute to a wider variety of programming within the Utah art
community. Such programming is important for Utah artists as well as the many
Utahns who cannot afford to travel to major cities. This project benefits the
community at large by providing opportunities for Utahns to see and hear first
hand nationally and internationally recognized artists. To extend our outreach into the community the Department recently started a program with local elementary schools. Our goal is to teach elementary school children about the art and value of seeing as a visual artist while also teaching them to appreciate different cultures. In our approach the children visit the WSU
gallery and participate in a group discussion about the exhibition led by an
artist. The students then create work that relates to the exhibit with one of
our professors. The work is then exhibited on campus or at a local public
facility. We are working to improve and expand the project by including
different elementary schools each year. Currently the University is creating the Ethel Wattis Kimball Visual Arts Center. This facility will be have twice the amount of space that is currently available, and it will contain a secure and climate controlled gallery. It is exciting to consider the exhibitions that DOVA will now be able to offer the community. It is heartening to know that more people will also be able to access exhibitions and classes. Since the new art center will house many visual art disciplines that are currently scattered across campus, students will have more exposure to each other’s work and ideas. This new environment will afford a richer educational experience and a deeper sense of community among our students and faculty. With the completion of the visual arts facility, DOVA will be better prepared to fulfill its mission than ever before. Student Learning Outcomes / Curriculum Grid / Assessment Plan / Results of Assessment / Contact Person |
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