The Visual Arts major at Pine Manor College enables a student to emphasize either studio arts or art history in a self-designed type of major. A student takes a small number of required courses in these subjects, including a senior internship seminar and a senior thesis project, and selects one of two tracks in the major. A student and her advisor work very closely to select the electives in the major based on her interests and career goals. In addition, a student is also encouraged to take a broad range of courses outside the major which will complement her interests and career goals. A student may also register at nearby Boston College for additional courses.
Creative thinking is at the core of the Visual Arts curriculum. Students develop creative and critical thinking skills in visual expression and writing, as well as a broad range of studio and design skills that will serve them well in the workplace.
Courses are offered in Studio Arts, Computer Graphics, Photography, Graphic Design, and Art History. Students may also pursue a major in Communication and concentrate in Visual Communication (see Communication).
Learning Outcomes of the Visual Arts Program
- Provide students with historical/cultural context for the arts, and acquaint her with philosophical and theoretical perspectives related to the field
- Provide students with vocabulary of design and composition, as well as critical awareness of the relationship between form and content
- Provide hands-on experience with the materials, techniques and skills of a variety of art media, while building a foundation of proficiency in one or two
- Foster the development of a personal process in the creative and critical elements of visual expression, including curiosity, flexibility, commitment, passion, receptivity, courage, risk-taking, honesty, and determination
- Provide, through an internship experience, a setting for students' application of their learning in a professional environment
- Use the thesis to encourage students' capacity for significant independent work. This includes setting an artistic objective in a chosen medium, and then combining the work of creative exploration with self-critical analysis, through completion to exhibiting work in the Hess Gallery