The Studio Art concentration offers students
an education in studio art within a liberal
arts context. The curriculum presents a rich
range of choices in other academic disciplines
to augment studio studies. The faculty teaches
studio art from the viewpoint of its connection
to a wide sphere of interests, such as psychology,
literature, philosophy, mathematics, biology,
and physics. Students graduating with this
concentration are well prepared to pursue
graduate studies in the fine and liberal
arts, and work as professional artists or
in other arts-related fields.
The Visual Studies concentration organizes approaches to visual
thinking that cut across various disciplines to form a logical
whole. Students analyze visual communication from a variety of
aesthetic, theoretical, scientific, sociological, and historical
viewpoints. Analysis includes the consideration of the medium,
its impact on the image and message, and its social and cultural
context. While the majority of course work is in academic disciplines,
it is recognized that the making of images is closely aligned
with analysis. This requires that students take some studio courses.
This concentration provides a sound basis for pursuing graduate
study in art history, art theory and criticism, or visual anthropology.
The Digital Media concentration
allows the students to focus on
the use of computer technologies
in fine art. Students in this concentration
take courses throughout the University,
including those in the programs
of Art, Architecture, Film & Media
Arts, Music, Theater, Dance, etc.
This wide range of courses fosters
the development of an interdisciplinary
approach to image-making that considers
both the aesthetic and technical
sides of this genre. Students graduating
with this concentration are able
to pursue graduate studies in the
fine arts, work as professional
artists, find employment in the
numerous computer-based fields of
art and communication, or work in
galleries or museums.
A portfolio review is not required
for enrollment. Students pursuing
other degrees in any college may
choose to minor in art. More than
half of the enrolled students in
studio art courses each semester
are majoring in areas other than
art.
The department responds to this
opportunity to contribute to a wide
range of educational goals by basing
course content and pedagogical approach
on a view of studio experience as
part of education in a broad sense
rather than primarily as training
for the profession. An excellent
rapport exists between students
and faculty, enabling those students
who want additional emphasis on
professional aspects of study in
the arts to find enthusiastic instruction
and encouragement. The department's
facilities include studios for painting,
drawing, basic design, printmaking,
three-dimensional design, photography,
and digital imaging. The 3-D, printmaking
and photography labs are well equipped
and enjoy the services of technical
assistants in addition to the faculty.
Computer imaging and digital photo
students enjoy state of the art
facilities in the new Tuttleman
Learning Center. Although the department
has studios on the Temple University
Center City, Ambler, and Fort Washington
campuses, most of the facilities
are on the Temple University Main
Campus, which is close to the galleries
and museums of downtown Philadelphia.
The department frequently uses the
galleries and museums as educational
resources. In the spring of each
year the department sponsors a large
student exhibition. Participation
in this exhibition is open to any
student, in any major, who has taken
a studio course in the previous
year. Students are encouraged to
participate in the Temple Rome program,
which provides a wonderful opportunity
to study abroad.
