Mission:
The Department of Art and Design at Grand Valley State University seeks to uphold the values of a liberal education while providing an intensive engagement with the production and examination of the visual arts.

Values:
As educators, artists, and scholars, we value investigation of the world through self-aware participation in broad cultural discourses. In addition to preparing students formally and conceptually for careers in the visual arts, the department strives to foster the broadly transferable skills of inquiry, reflection, critical analysis, dialog, and expression.

Student learning values that reflect our departmental mission:

1. Student will become familiar with the central issues and processes in their chosen area of study.

2. Students will develop competency progressively throughout the degree program and will work independently at the advanced level.

3. Students will achieve a high level of expertise in the practice of their chosen area of study.

4. Students will critique, discuss, and present their work in a professional manner.

5. Students will contribute meaningfully to artistic and regional communities beyond GVSU through engaging in learning opportunities.