Regardless of which emphasis area a student chooses the department provides students with technological support in new media as well as the traditional arts at each level of their education. Majors in studio, art education, art history, photography, and film & video production, benefit from state-of-the-art facilities, equipment, and technologies that surpass those of other art programs. Everything from the computer labs to the woodshop are conscientiously maintained and regularly upgraded to provide students with the resources they need to work effectively. Students can also check out some production equipment if necessary.

The Department of Visual and Media Arts is housed in two buildings in close proximity to one another: Calder Arts Center and Lake Superior Hall. Both are located in the southeast corner of the Allendale Campus. The Calder Arts Center houses the Art Education, Art History, Studio Art, and some Film and Video Production courses. Lake Superior Hall houses the Film and Video Production and Photography programs.

Allendale Campus Map (pdf)

Calder Arts Center

The Calder Arts Center house the majority of the programs in the Department of Visual and Media Arts. Located in the Southeast edge of the Allendale campus, it holds classes for Art Education, Art History, Ceramics, Film and Video Production, Graphic Design, Illustration, Jewelry and Metals, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture and Visual Studies. It is a 72,000sq. foot facility designed for students' creative endeavors in traditional and new media.

Click here for a 360° tour of Calder Art Center

Lake Superior Hall

Lake Superior Hall houses the Film and Video Production and Photography programs in the Department of Visual and Media Arts, among other GVSU programs. It is one of the first buildings to be erected in Allendale, equipped for students' creative endeavors in the communication arts.

Visual Resources Center

The purpose of the Visual Resources Center (VRC) is to support student learning and research in the Department of Visual and Media Arts and the GVSU community. For more information about the Visual Resources Center, please refer to the VRC page.

Woodshop

Students enrolled in classes throughout the department make use of this resource. The woodshop houses the tools necessary to create everything from a large, machined wood or metal project to a small, intricately-carved work. Staffed by a full-time technician and part-time monitors, students receive a safety orientation to ensure proper training for the equipment. The shop is open for prescribed hours Monday through Sunday. For more information about health and safety, please refer to Environmental Health and Safety in the Arts.

Hours for Winter 2023

Mon. 8:00am - 4:00pm

Tues. - Fri. 8:00am - 9:00pm

Sat. 12:00pm - 4:00pm

Sun. 12:00pm - 4:00pm

BFA Studio Spaces

Most emphasis areas provide upper-level BFA students with individual or group studios in the Calder Art Center. When compared to other programs that focus on undergraduate education, the department is rare in offering these to its majors. Combining the benefits of an individual workspace with the opportunity for communication between faculty and peers, the studios extend learning beyond the classroom.

Digital Equipment

The Department of Visual and Media Arts houses three Mac computer labs in the Calder Arts Center and one in Lake Superior Hall. All labs are outfitted with industry-standard hardware and software applications. Additionally, two laptop carts allow the use of technology in classes outside of the computer labs, and students can check out video and photo cameras, along with digital displays for animation and illustration works. Black and White and Color Printers are available at the computer labs.

Digital Print Shop

The Digital Print Shop (DPS) is a student-operated business in the Calder Art Center. Since 2008, it has been a valuable resource for students and faculty looking for high-quality, cost-efficient prints of class assignments, personal projects, vinyl stickers and limited-run posters. Other on-campus departments who have utilized our services include: Housing and Residence Life, Padnos Student Gallery, and WCKS: The WHALE Radio. 

Please be aware the Digital Print Shop closes each summer then resumes services during the academic year!
For more information on the Digital Print Shop, the hours of operation, costs and policies, please refer to the DPS website.

Production Support Services Room (PSR)

What was affectionately known as The Equipment Room all these years is now Production Support Services! We wish to be known for more than a place to pick up equipment.  We are here to help with your productions!

Weekend hours begin around mid-semester. Watch for the announcement in the Production Support Services Room.

A valid GVSU identification card required to check out equipment.  

PSR is located in Lake Superior Hall (LSH).

Webpage www.gvsu.edu/psr 

Hours of Operation for FALL 2022

Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.

PHONE: (616) 331-3867

EMAIL: [email protected]

Production Support Services Policies & Procedures (.pdf)

Digital Fabrication Lab

The Digital Fabrication Lab is a valuable resource for students and faculty looking for high-quality, cost-efficient fabrication of digital artworks. The Lab contains 3D Printers, a Laser Cutting Machine, and a 3D Scanner. Students are capable of incorporating these works into their artwork or have their artwork completely generated by machines.

*Due to COVID-19 pandemic, office staff may need to work remotely and can always be reached Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. by phone at (616) 331-3486. Please call to inquire about any additional Calder Art Center building access concerns as changes and updates at GVSU.