The Department of Art program is devoted to the development of concepts, attitudes and skills in the visual arts within a broader liberal arts oriented university curriculum. Students may pursue training in studio specializations, art education, and art history. All three share a common core curriculum that provides a comprehensive foundation in design, drawing, art history, and exposure to a selection of studio experiences. The faculty is diverse in educational and professional experience and shares the objective of high quality education in a stimulating and creative environment.
Three undergraduate degrees are offered: Bachelor of Fine Arts Studio, Bachelor of Arts Art History or Studio, and Bachelor of Science in Art Education. Students may also elect an art minor sequence to compliment other major programs. The Master of Arts Studio and Master of Arts in Teaching, Art Education are available at the graduate level.
The Department of Art enjoys recently renovated facilities that are conveniently located adjacent to the central campus mall. Each area occupies a discrete and well-equipped studio or classroom space. The University is strongly committed to technological resources and has equipped most of the labs with multi-media presentation systems to enhance the quality of instruction. There are two state-of-the-art Macintosh computer labs in the department and numerous other computer access points throughout the campus.
The Conkling Gallery within the complex presents exhibitions in all media from local, regional, and national artists and collections, as well as juried, senior, and Master of Arts student shows. Additional visual arts enrichment is provided through an active visiting artist and residency program. Of particular significance is the Nadine B. Andreas Endowment that provides very generous support to attract recognized artists, for faculty development, and for graduate student stipends. The Centennial Student Union Gallery is another venue for student exhibitions along with opportunities in local art galleries.
There is a strong sense of community in the Department that is ensured through small class sizes, accessible faculty, and several clubs that build connections and professional involvement. American Institute of Graphic Arts (graphic design), Student Chapter of the National Art Education Association (art education), Art History Round Table (art history), Exposed (photography), Mudworks (ceramics), and Student Art League (art majors) sponsor various activities, travel opportunities, and programs to strengthen the educational experience.
We hope that you will enjoy navigating through our site for more details about the program and news about students, faculty, and art enrichment events.
Amanda Smith’s paintings and drawings recontextualize cinematic spaces. Working from film stills as reference, Smith creates paintings that are conscious of the pervasive influence of cinematic space -- how it dominates the way people perceive, remember, and imagine environments. Smith received her BA from The University of Puget Sound and her MFA from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her work has been exhibited at art centers and galleries across the United States, including the Kirkland Art Center (WA), and the Leedy-Voulkos Art Center (MO). The work featured in this exhibition was supported in part by an MSU Faculty Research Grant and a studio residency at ART342 in Fort Collins (CO). Amanda joined the MSU faculty in 2008 and teaches all levels of painting, life drawing, and drawing foundations.
I was born and raised in Utah with weekly earthquake drills at school and lessons about the apocalypse and the "evils of the world" in Sunday School. I felt somewhat safe and protected surrounded by Mormons and the Rocky Mountains, but as I got older I got a bit of courage and ventured out of my home town - I lived in Germany, England, Taiwan, Seattle, and New England. I was reshaped by my travels and embraced many types of people and many new ways of thinking. During my time in New England my wife and I had two children. I received a BFA from MassArt and an MFA from Rhode Island School of Design. We now live in tornado alley in Kansas City, MO where I teach painting and drawing at UMKC.
