For the health and safety of the Grand Valley community, remote academic instruction will continue through April 25. The Admissions office is available to answer calls Mon.-Fri. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 616-331-2025 or 1-800-748-0246 or email admissions@gvsu.edu. Additional instructions and updates at www.gvsu.edu/coronavirus
The Visual Studies area emphasizes real-world skills to equip you for future employment and work as a practicing artist. You will acquire skills including digital imaging, curating, exhibition and project organization/management and video and sound production. The curriculum is structured to allow Visual Studies majors to gain concentrated experience in other areas of the department. Visual Studies alumni exhibit their work, curate exhibits in galleries, museums and other public venues and are active participants in the community.
BFA is Studio Art - Visual Studies Emphasis
Students may pursue a B.F.A. in Studio Art in this emphasis. The B.F.A. in Studio Art is designed for students interested in a professional degree in art or design. This degree will prepare students for a career as a professional Artists. Aside from Visual Studies, seven other Emphasis Areas are available to choose from in the B.F.A. degree.
BA/BS in Art Education and Visual Studies Emphasis
Students may also pursue a BA or BS Degree in Art Education with a concentration in Visual Studies.
Dulcee Boehm
Visiting Professor
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Meghan Moe Beitiks
Visiting Professor
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Anna Campbell
Associate Professor
Paul Wittenbraker
Professor
Visual Studies Area Coordinator
This emphasis area incorporates interdisciplinary approaches and stresses the role of digital media and context as primary considerations for the production and analysis of visual works. Using an integrated approach, the program equips majors with an essential array of technical, conceptual, political, and social capacities needed for effective cultural work. The emphasis also encourages interaction with the local community and facilitates students working collectively and interpretively with the civic environment.
The visual studies program incorporates work inside and outside the traditional classroom setting. The primary lab studio includes work spaces as well as critique areas for discussion and production. There are also ample technological resources for students work in video, sound, curatorial, and digital image-based media. Community-based workspaces and installations facilitate students working collectively and interpretively with their civic environment.
Visual art methods are used to study, form, and present art in a
specific public context. Includes the development of a project site,
individual and collaborative work, and service learning. Studio
operates “in public” presenting lectures, visual displays, and public
gatherings. Part of the Identity Issue. (May be repeated once for
credit.) Offered every third fall or winter semester. Prerequisite:
Junior standing.
Credits: 3
Curatorial Studio explores presentational and critical practice and
the theoretical discourse specific to such practice within a studio
context. This involves the curation (study and creation of visual
presentations) in exhibitions or projects. Part of the Information,
Innovation, and Technology Issue. Offered every third semester (fall
and winter). (May be repeated once for credit.) Prerequisite: Junior standing.
Credits: 3
Image studio explores the creation, use, and presentation of images
and the theoretical discourse specific to such practices within a
studio context. The studio incorporates uses of current image creation
and presentation technologies. (May be repeated once for credit.)
Offered fall semester.
Credits: 3
Interactive Studio addresses the study and creation of art works in
which the audience is involved in an interactive exchange. Media
explored include interactive situations, community collaborations,
social/political interactions, and current electronic interactive
interfaces. (May be repeated once for credit.) Offered fall semester.
Credits: 3
Space Studio addresses the creation of site-specific works based in
the primary form and experience of space typically referred to as
‘installations’. It includes studio considerations of space, site,
installation, public art, presentational practices and the related
theoretical discourse within a studio context. (May be repeated once
for credit.) Offered every third semester (fall and winter).
Credits: 3
Time Studio explores temporal and presentational practices and the
theoretical discourse specific to such practices within a studio
context. Time-based works include time and change as central elements.
This includes ephemeral and kinetic objects, performance, sound works,
and works incorporating moving images. (May be repeated once for
credit.) Offered winter semester.
Credits: 3
For studio artists and designers about to enter graduate school or
professional design studios. Includes a required three-day field trip
to Chicago, information concerning resume preparation, exhibitions,
interviewing, portfolios, design agencies, galleries, museums, and
analysis of the professional literature through written assignments.
Students will learn how the professional art world works. Offered fall
semester. Prerequisites: Art major and senior standing.
Credits: 3
This course is the final work toward the B.F.A. Senior Exhibition and
must be taken in the semester in which students hang their degree
shows. Students will work closely with their major professor in their
emphasis area, and may have an additional course assigned from their
Junior Review. Students must seek the advice of their major professor
for the selection of works for their exhibition. They may also seek
advice of any other faculty members with whom they have worked or from
whom they would like additional feedback. Offered fall and winter semesters.
Credits: 6
Prospective Students are invited to attend one of the High School Student Receptions, held throughout the academic year. Receptions follow the Laker Experience Days.
For questions about the Visual Studies area, please contact:
Paul Wittenbraker
Visual Studies Coordinator
1117 Calder Arts Center
(616) 331-3578
wittenbp@gvsu.edu
Art Education — Art History — Ceramics — Film & Video Production — Graphic Design — Illustration — Jewelry and Metalsmithing — Painting — Photography — Printmaking — Sculpture — Visual Studies
