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Course Syllabus

ART 2000 AFA Capstone Seminar: Professional Practices

  • Division: Fine Arts, Comm, and New Media
  • Department: Visual Art
  • Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 2; Lab: 0
  • Semesters Offered: Fall
  • Semester Approved: Spring 2025
  • Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2029
  • End Semester: Fall 2030
  • Optimum Class Size: 16
  • Maximum Class Size: 20

Course Description

This capstone course is for Visual Art Majors who have been accepted to and are on track toward the AFA degree. Content will examine professional practices within the visual arts and is designed to prepare students for successful articulation into BFA programs and professional work. Emphasis will be placed on the development of an artist statement, curriculum vitae, oral and visual presentation skills, portfolio development, independent online presence, and exhibition preparation. This course is required for all AFA degree candidates and should be taken the fall semester in the year which they anticipate graduating.

Justification

This course is required during the final year of study in the AFA program. As a professional practice course it prepares visual arts students for successful articulation into BFA programs and is designed as a primer to being a productive art student and an independent artist. It also acts as a catalyst where students prepare for final extracurricular requirements including their solo AFA exhibition, written statements, and final oral defense of their exhibition. This course is offered in a similar format at most USHE institutions and around the country.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. MATERIAL PROFICIENCY: Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in materials as applied to a range of processes and techniques across art mediums.
  2. CONCEPTUAL PRINCIPLES: Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in conceptual principles including discernment between material, formal and conceptual issues, problem solving, and communication as applied to the visual language.
  3. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of historical context including significant historical themes as it applies to their own creative production.
  4. CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in critical analysis as it applies to the organization of their portfolio and AFA exhibition.
  5. CREATIVE PROCESS: Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the creative process.

Course Content

This course will include lectures, class discussion, oral and written components, demonstrations, and practical application as they apply to the following topics: development of an artist statement, biography, CV, professional online presence, transfer school applications, professional practices and art theory topics, portfolio organization and presentation, documentation of artwork, gallery practices, oral/visual presentation of work, preparation for AFA exhibition and oral defense.