Strategic Plan for Visual & Media Arts
Context For Planning
Art and Design aligned their Strategic Plan with the College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences and Grand Valley State University's Strategic Plans.
All regular department faculty participated in the process.
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 creation and examination of the visual arts.
Vision
The Department of Art and Design will continue to offer excellent
undergraduate programs in studio art, art education, and art history
that include traditional and contemporary practices enriched by a strong
foundation in liberal education.
Value Statement
As a community of educators, artists, and scholars we value:
the attributes of open-ended inquiry, reflection, critical
analysis, dialogue, and expression grounded in a liberal arts education.
the examination of the world through diverse cultural discourses
which informs our pedagogy and scholarship.
the importance of engaged, creative instruction for all learners
in our courses.
a commitment to faculty scholarship which informs pedagogy and
supports the professional preparation of our majors.
diverse forms of collaboration with university, local, and
regional communities.
Strategic Priorities, outcomes, and key objectives
Strategic Priority Area 1: Actively engage learners at all levels.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Objective 1.A.1
ART & DESIGN: Increase by 2% retention rates for students majoring
in programs offered by Visual and Media Arts.
Baseline
2016: establish baseline percentage of student retention for programs
offered by Art and Design. 2017-21: record increases to the number of
students who complete programs.
Progress
2019 Status
Substantial Progress
Retention rates based on the latest available data are at 89.7% for the department overall. This exceeds the goal of a 2% increase from the previous year.
2017 Status
Substantive Progress
The most recent data (2016) reveals that retention has increased from 88.7% to 89.5% combined.
Objective 1.A.2
PHOTOGRAPHY: Enrollment Management in the wake of changes due to be
implemented in the fall of 2016
Baseline
A photography minor and the addition of CPH 175 as a gen ed course and a
course in the new Digital Arts Minor will be implemented in the fall of
2016. Currently we have 76 photo majors
Progress
2019 Status
Achieved
We have stabilized our student population with 51 majors and 65 minors. These numbers have held steady for the past few years.
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
We have had success in boosting our numbers of dedicated photography majors and minors. As of Dec. 17, 2018 we have 47 majors and 65 minors, for a total of 112. This is nearly a 50% increase over the total in 2015 when we introduced the photography minor.
Objective 1.A.3
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: FVP has a clearly defined plan for
assessing effective academic advising to prospective, current, and
transferring students.
Baseline
Recommendations for advising are included in SoC new faculty handbook
and mentoring handbook. Effectiveness of advising is not currently
formally assessed.
Progress
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
- All advising documents are available on the website.
- Invited Advisors from University to VMA meeting for a training session.
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
We created a four-part advising video tutorial series for Film and Video Production majors and academic advisors to ensure consistency in information. In the coming month, an assessment quiz will be created so that we can measure the effectiveness of the tutorials and make needed adjustments.
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 1.C.1
ART & DESIGN: Increase by 2% the number of students enrolling in
courses with community based learning experiences offered by Art and Design.
Baseline
2016: establish baseline percentage for courses offered in Art and
Design that provide community based learning experiences, GVSU
definition. 2017-21: track increases to the number of students enrolled
in courses with community based learning.
Progress
2019 Status
Minimal Progress
Classes are in the works but not yet running.
2018 Status
Substantive Progress
We have introduced two courses into curriculum, "Art and Community" within Art Education, and "Learning to See: Visual Observation for Health Professionals" within Painting that have community-based learning experiences. "Learning to See" fostered a relationship between GVSU and Harvard Medical School and will be offered yearly beginning Fall 2019.
Objective 1.C.2
PHOTOGRAPHY: Increase interaction with professionals, image makers, and
exhibitors in the community. This will be done by inviting such
individuals to visit our classes and talk to students about the
opportunities and challenges they have met and overcome.
Baseline
We bring in one to two people on average per semester to talk with our students
Progress
2017 Status
Substantial Progress
A review of CVs shows faculty and staff members increased public presentations, exhibitions, and workshops in the community, and invited several visiting artists and industry professionals to interact with students and classes. A review of exit surveys shows a positive student response to increased co/extra-curricular programming.
Objective 1.C.3
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: 90% of FVP students report that their
internship helped them be more prepared to enter their profession.
Baseline
2014 FVP Internship Coordinator s report: 83%
Progress
2019 Status
Achieved
We're pleased to report that in 2019, 100% of student interns reported that their internship helped them be more prepared to enter their profession. We also created a newsletter that goes out to employers and prospective employers in order to maintain our sense of connection and community.
2018 Status
Substantive Progress
In the last year, the FVP Internship coordinator made site visits with employers. An internship Bulletin Board created in Lake Superior, which is updated regularly, and an Internship Newsletter was circulated twice a year, and an informational video has been created on internships. Special office hours are kept for Internship information.
Objective 1.C.4
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: At least two international study and/or
internship opportunities specific to FVP students are regularly
available and publicized.
Baseline
New Initiative
Progress
2019 Status
Achieved
Interns are required to report online the satisfaction with their internship. 95% of students report that they feel that their internship prepared them for their career.
2018 Status
Substantive Progress
We are working with Padnos International Center to promote International Internships.
Objective 1.C.5
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: FVP provides a pipeline for students from
selected high schools and/or vocational schools to enter the major
through course equivalencies for FVP 125 Media Production I.
Baseline
Currently there is no equivalency for high school credit for FVP 125
Media Production I.
Progress
2019 Status
Substantive Progress
Our status remains the same with the Careerline Tech Center and has worked as a pipeline to our program. We have not pursued this further with other partners, as our focus has been on the merging of our program with Art & Design and Photography.
2018 Status
Substantive Progress
We have provided equivalency with Careerline, which has proved effective.
Objective 1.C.6
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: FVP involves students in local, regional,
and national competitions, festivals, events, and/or conferences.
Baseline
No formal program is in place to encourage or track this. New initiative.
Progress
2019 Status
Achieved
Our students enter local competitions such as Mosaic Film Experience, The Eclipse Awards (through public station WKTV), Lansing Film Festival. The Summer Film Project regularly enters national film festivals and competitions. Our faculty are engaged with panel presentation at events and conferences such as the local Chiaroscuro Film Festival and Latin American Film Festival.
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
- GVSU Students participated and/or won awards at GRFF 36 Hour Film Challenge; Mosaic Film Festival; Eclipse Awards, Open Projector Night @ UICA.
- GVSU Summer Film 2018 was shown at Michigan Film Festival
Outcome D: Grand Valley supports innovative teaching, learning, integrative scholarly and creative activity, and the use of new technologies.
Objective 1.D.1
ART & DESIGN: Increase by 5% the number of students taking courses
identified as level 3 or above in the Global Learning Survey.
Baseline
23 courses offered in Art and Design have been identified using the
Global Learning Survey at level 3 or above.
Progress
2019 Status
Not Yet Initiated
This has not been a priority as there are other more pressing concerns involving recruitment and day to day operations in the newly formed VMA department.
2018 Status
Not Yet Initiated
Since the merging of the Art & Design, Film and Video Production, and Photography programs, this has not yet been a priority.
Objective 1.D.2
ART & DESIGN: Increase the number of opportunities for student
learning that incorporate innovative approaches and/or new technologies
in courses offered by Art and Design.
Baseline
2016: develop metric to establish baseline for learning opportunities.
2017-21: track increases
Progress
2019 Status
Substantial Progress
Students in Art 271 are introduced to Rhinoceros 3d computer modeling software, MakerBot 3D printers, Sense Handheld 3D scanner, and Epilog laser cutter. This is the first class in the department that fully integrates them.
In FVP 326 New Media we have begun to incorporate 360 cameras, virtual cinematography, 3D interfaces such as Maya and Unity, as well as a portable HTC Vive VR system for end user experiences.
In animation classes we have integrated the Cintique tablets and this semester are using pre-rigged 3D characters in animation 2 to explore poses and expression.
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
Through the development of new courses, introducing new innovate projects into existing courses, and increasing the frequency of courses that employ innovative approaches and technology, Art and Design faculty have made substantial progress toward this objective.
Objective 1.D.3
PHOTOGRAPHY: The Photography Program will examine its core curriculum to
determine if all required courses are still relevant in light of changes
to the field.
Baseline
Our core curriculum as of 2015 is Art 149 - Intro to Visual Composition,
CPH 171 -Photo 1, CPH 172 -Photo 2, CPH 272 - Digital Photo 1, CPH 273 -
4 x 5, CPH 375 -Studio, CPH 266 - Photo History 1,CPH 279 - Color, CPH
366 - Photo History 2 and CPH 495 - Thesis Capstone.
Progress
2019 Status
Substantial Progress
We are in the process of re-organizing our curriculum to reflect the industry standard of digital photography. We have agreed on a course of action and are getting our proposal ready to send to the curriculum committee. Our plans have been approved at the departmental level.
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
The Photography faculty have been meeting to discuss curriculum changes and will likely propose changes in Fall 2019.
Objective 1.D.4
PHOTOGRAPHY: To have an exhibition space for our senior thesis students
and visiting artists that we control outright.
Baseline
Currently we must rely on the University's gallery for this privilege.
This has become onerous as their conservative values often result in the
censorship of student work.
Progress
2019 Status
Not Yet Initiated
Students still show in the PAC gallery.
2018 Status
Not Yet Initiated
We are still having students show at the PAC gallery at the end of each semester.
Objective 1.D.5
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: The FVP program offers an FVP minor.
Baseline
New Initiative
Progress
2019 Status
Substantial Progress
We are pleased to report that our Film and Video Production minor has been approved at the unit level and is now being placed into SAIL for approval at the next level. It is our hope that it will be in place for Fall 2020.
2018 Status
Not Yet Initiated
2018 was the 1st year offering FVP 125 to Digital Studies Minor.
Objective 1.D.6
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: FVP offers courses in the interdisciplinary
Digital Studies and Digital Arts & Media minors.
Baseline
Digital Studies minor and Digital Arts minor are being proposed and
developed in 2015-2016.
Progress
2019 Status
Achieved
FVP 125 Media Production I is offered in the growing Digital Studies minor and we are beginning to see DS students taking our course.
2018 Status
Substantive Progress
Digital Arts & Media Minor proposal was resubmitted for approval in Fall 2018
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 1.E.1
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: The Film & Video Production major
program offers its students state-of-the-art equipment to support the
time-consuming and system-intensive workflow of large file size footage
and rendering that comes with 3D animation and higher-end cameras being
added to our curriculum.
Baseline
Current configuration in the HD editing suites.
Progress
2018 Status
Achieved
Virtual Reality capabilities have been introduced in FVP 326 (New Media) Curriculum.
2017 Status
Achieved
Edit suites and other video production systems were upgraded with new iMacs which can handle the new video formats and workflow. Cintique tablets were added to support animation production. New LED light kits were added to replace older, less-efficient and heavier equipment.
Strategic Priority Area 2: Further develop exceptional personnel.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Objective 2.A.1
ART & DESIGN: Increase current number of faculty receiving high
impact learning training to 22% (22 faculty, 5 receive training).
Baseline
17% of department faculty in the 2015/2016 academic year received high
impact student learning training (22 faculty, 3 received training)
Progress
2019 Status
Achieved
We have achieved our goal of 5 members of the faculty receiving high impact learning training.
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
We have not re-examined this objective as a faculty, as there are opportunities in FVP that can be helpful to Studio Art as well.
Strategic Priority Area 3: Ensure the alignment of institutional structures and functions.
Outcome B: Grand Valley is diverse and inclusive.
Objective 3.B.1
ART & DESIGN: Increase current number of faculty and staff who are
inclusion advocates to 3.
Baseline
Of 27 faculty and staff, 2 are certified inclusion advocates.
Progress
2019 Status
Achieved
We have 4 members of the faculty and staff who are trained as inclusion advocates. This exceeds our goal of 3.
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
We currently only have two faculty certified as Inclusion Advocates.
Objective 3.B.2
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: Film & Video Production will have a
trained Inclusion Advocate faculty member.
Baseline
No faculty members are currently an Inclusion Advocate.
Progress
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
FVP Staff is currently being trained to be the FVP Inclusion Advocate.
2017 Status
Not Yet Initiated
No findings to report.
Strategic Priority Area 4: Enhance the institution's image and reputation.
Outcome A: Grand Valley's learning environment is personal, challenging, and transformational, supporting excellent academic programs and co-curricular opportunities.
Objective 4.A.1
PHOTOGRAPHY: Continue and Increase recruitment efforts to attract more students
Baseline
We currently have representatives at Lake Experience Days, GRCC's
portfolio review and NASAD's portfolio review.
Progress
2019 Status
Substantial Progress
We have been actively recruiting at national, state and regional events from NASAD portfolio days in Detroit and Chicago to community colleges and on campus efforts.
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
We have been actively been involved with recruiting efforts. This has included making a banner, participating in open houses, giving tours to prospective students and participating in recruiting events such as Laker Experience Days, NASAD portfolio reviews, the Art Institute of Chicago's portfolio review and the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts' portfolio review.
Outcome C: Grand Valley has mutually beneficial relationships, partnerships, collaborations, and connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Objective 4.C.1
ART & DESIGN: Identify, assess, and promote faculty and staff
connections with local, state, national, and world communities.
Baseline
2016: identify and assess current involvement and determine
participation goals for department. 2017-21: increase visibility of
partnerships with identified partners.
Progress
2019 Status
Substantial Progress
An all-faculty exhibit was held in the fall of 2019 at the Nomad Gallery in downtown Grand Rapids to develop ties with and build our presence in the community. Our illustration program takes an annual trip to Los Angeles to explore business opportunities for students, we have a bi-annual study abroad program to Kingston College in the UK, our faculty sit on various boards of local art organizations in the west Michigan area, we host the Ceramics forum to foster exchange between students at different institutions, a bi-annual workshop through the Michigan Ceramics Art Association was held in 2018 at Calder Art Center. Field trips to Chicago and Detroit are offered by various programs in the department. Our graphic design faculty are actively involved with the local chapter of AIGA and relationships developed with the Grand Rapids African American Health Institute and the Grand Rapids Latin Film Festival. Many of our students and faculty participate in the bi-annual ArtPrize competition in Grand Rapids. A juried highschool art exhibit was held at our Padnos Gallery in the fall of 2019 showing work from many high schools in west Michigan.
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
Faculty were involved in local and national gallery exhibitions, publications and projects that heighten the visibility of GVSU. A faculty member is the Education Director for the AIGA West Michigan Chapter. GVSU faculty have made connections with local non-profit and community-building organizations such as Grand Rapids African American Health Institute, and the Grand Rapids Latin American Film Festival; national organizations such as The Graphic Artists Guild, Celebrate People's History, and Harvard Medical School; and international organizations such as International Society for the Study of Surrealism.
Objective 4.C.2
ART & DESIGN: Secure a dedicated downtown arts facility to promote
visual arts programs and related community initiatives at GVSU.
Baseline
2016-2017: Initiate conversations with university administration and
colleagues in Photography and Film and Video.
Progress
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
Conversations about some possibilities have happened with faculty, but no substantive progress has been made.
2017 Status
Minimal Progress
We have met with Henry Matthews and his staff regarding a temporary space to be used for ArtPrize 2018. We will discuss with faculty whether we will pursue this opportunity. We see this as a window to our introduction to the downtown area. It should be noted that this space would not be a dedicated and/or permanent space, but merely a stepping stone toward a downtown presence.
Objective 4.C.3
Progress
2017 Status
Achieved
We utilized the tools available at the Career Center to run a report of all internships for VMA programs since 2014. This resulted in a 712 page report.
Objective 4.C.4
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: 100% of Film and Video Production students
complete a capstone research project that demonstrates expertise in
their discipline and addresses an issue relevant to the student and the community.
Baseline
New Initiative
Progress
2019 Status
Achieved
Every student in FVP 495 Issues in Film and Media Arts completes a capstone research project and presents their work in a public form, either on a panel or individually.
2018 Status
Substantial Progress
Students continue to take FVP 495 course and complete a capstone project
Objective 4.C.5
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: FVP attains career data on 40% of major
program alumni.
Baseline
New Initiative
Progress
2019 Status
Substantive Progress
We created a booklet featuring our alumni in myriad career opportunities such as feature films, television, broadcasting, documentary, independent filmmaking, animation, sports, producing, directing, writing, art direction, cinematography, sound design, production, post-production, visual effects, etc. We plan to continue to grow this booklet as a recruiting resource.
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
Data is still being collected, has not reached 40%.
Outcome E: Grand Valley strategically allocates its fiscal, human, and other institutional resources.
Objective 4.E.1
FILM & VIDEO PRODUCTION: Film & Video Production investigates
opportunities for shared facilities/exhibit space in downtown campus to
expand teaching/learning opportunities and forge collaborations with
local area communities of interest.
Baseline
Currently no downtown Grand Rapids facilities are assigned for FVP or
VMA use.
Progress
2019 Status
Minimal Progress
We have collectively agreed to not pursue downtown space at this time. We will focus on integrating our programs into the Calder Art Center in order to achieve unity and collaboration within our new unit.
2018 Status
Minimal Progress
FVP Faculty along with Art & Design Faculty, under the new VMA structure are currently exploring space options in Allendale.
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