The Division of Fine Arts is comprised of Baccalaureate degree programs, academic minors and formal curricular experiences that broaden human potential, promote intellectual and aesthetic inquiry, and foster artistic creativity and growth. The Division’s programs in Studio Art, Music, Speech and Theatre provide an aesthetic, intellectual and multicultural environment that is vital to the greater institutional community, engaging that community in actively “doing art,” and preparing Kentucky State University’s students for a variety of professions in the arts and related fields. Through presentations such as concerts, recitals, theatre productions, art exhibitions, lectures, master classes and workshops, the division provides an aesthetic and cultural environment vital to academic life. The Division prepares its majors for a variety of professions in the arts and related fields, and gives them a foundation for graduate study.
The Division additionally supports the University’s mission by providing liberal studies courses in studio art, music, speech and theater; by providing students with opportunities to develop and enhance effective oral and interpersonal communication skills for life in today’s multicultural society; by providing professional services to public schools; and by preparing students to make significant contributions to society as fine arts educators, performers, and visual artists. Finally, the Division promotes teaching excellence through its maintenance of a low student-faculty ratio and its emphasis on performance-based goals.
The Art Area at Kentucky State University offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art with one Area of Concentration, a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with a Minor, A Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art with an option of P-12 certification, and a Minor in Studio Art. Students have the option to choose one of several areas of concentration: Two-dimensional Arts (Drawing and Painting), Three-Dimensional Arts (Sculpture and Ceramics), Digital Arts (Digital Imaging, Photography, and Video), or Experimental Directions (Mixed-media, Installation, Performance, and/or alternative media such as Internet).
The program uses an interdisciplinary approach to learning that prepares students for a variety of professions in the arts and related fields, and provides the foundation for graduate study. Critical thinking and analysis/interpretation of aesthetic issues are emphasized. Students are challenged to develop individual professional directions that reflect contemporary art investigations and issues of contemporary culture, with alternative presentation formats.
Enrollment in studio art classes is generally limited to 10-15 students. Instructors provide personal guidance and attention to each student, and a community of fellow artists/scholars support each other intellectually and creatively.
Two gas kilns with a 37 cu. ft. capacity each can accommodate large scale ceramic work. One is designed for high and low temperature salt glazing and the other for high-fire reduction glazes. There is also an outdoor raku kiln and a community shared Wood-fired Kiln at Shauntee Hall's Greg Seigel Ceramics Complex. This is one of the better ceramic complexes in the state and prepares students for professional level production.
The Sculpture area is equipped for wood and metal fabrication, exclusively or in combination with less traditional and alternative materials. Small scale casting in bronze and aluminum, along with alternative materials, is in development for this growing and energized 3D area.
136