College of Visual and Performing Arts

The College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), is a comprehensive arts college with Bachelors and Masters programs that prepare students for careers in the arts. To assure that its programs meet appropriate standards, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the national accrediting body for the visual arts.

Undergraduate students in the college may choose specialized options from a broad spectrum of the arts, all of which provide a framework for developing a high degree of professional competence and pursuing individual creative goals. Essential to this framework are the academic programs and resources of the whole university.

Students may pursue one of two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or the Bachelor of Arts (BA). Students majoring in the BFA in Visual Design select an option in Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography or Digital Media. Students majoring in the BFA in Artisanry may select Ceramics, Jewelry/Metals or Textile Design/Fiber Arts . Students majoring in the BFA in Fine Arts select an option in Painting/2D Studies or Sculpture/3D Studies. Students may pursue a career in education with K-12 licensure in the BFA in Art Education. Students may also pursue a BA major in Art History or Music. Music majors may also pursue initial licensing for K-12 instruction.

New first-year applicants to the college’s studio arts programs are encouraged to seek admission as “Studio Arts Undeclared” majors. During the Foundation Year and in consultation with the Program Director, they will have an opportunity to select a specific area of study from the options listed above.

The facilities and equipment on the Dartmouth and New Bedford campuses are a source of pride for our students and faculty, and are among the finest in New England. Visits by applicants are encouraged.

Individual attention is also emphasized. Students are encouraged to consult with the Foundation Studio Arts Program advisor, departmental advisors, the Chairpersons and the Dean about choosing programs and options and regarding matters concerning their progress at the university.

General Academic Policies

Admission to the Undergraduate Degree Programs

Applicants for admission to the programs in Art Education, Artisanry, Design or Fine Arts must submit an art portfolio. Applicants to the Music program must perform an audition. There are no additional admissions requirements for Art History. These requirements are summarized below. Specific instructions are given in the Admissions Bulletin and at http://www.umassd.edu/cvpa/admissions/overview.cfm.

Transfer students are admitted into specific majors only. They will present an art portfolio or perform an audition as an element of consideration in the respective department’s admission decision and to aid in the evaluation of their previous work for transfer credit at UMass Dartmouth. They will also be asked to identify a preferred option, such as “Graphic Design” or “Ceramics,” if their major of choice offers options. Transfer students who wish to be admitted into courses above the sophomore level must bring a portfolio to transfer orientation. Acceptance into advanced courses is rare.

Art Portfolio

Passing a portfolio review is required for admission into the BFA programs. In order to assess an applicant’s ability and preparation, faculty members must approve each submission. We recognize that a portfolio is not a precise measure of potential and that our applicants come to us with varying amounts of previous art instruction. As space in the visual art programs is limited, it is strongly recommended that you submit your application together with your portfolio before February 1.

Undergraduate freshman portfolio submission specifications

A freshman portfolio should consist of 15 original works, including 5 drawings that have been done from direct observation.

CVPA has established a web-based reviewing platform with SlideRoom. All freshman applicants are asked to submit their portfolio online at:

http://umassd.edu.slideroom.com

Applicants for 2010-2011 may also submit their portfolio in slide or CD format to: Admissions Office, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747.

Images (jpeg), video (mov,wmv,flv) or PDF documents may all be uploaded. For good image quality and a fast upload, it is recommended that the image files should be sized no larger than 1220px @ 72dpi, and please keep video files under 60MB each. For all technical assistance in this process, applicants can access the SlideRoom help desk at http://slideroom.zendesk.com.

SlideRoom provides an opportunity to submit information that will be useful in understanding the work illustrated in the images. Applicants are requested to use this feature to specify the size, medium and date of completion of each piece. Descriptions of the assignments, concepts or processes involved in the making of the work would also be appropriate.

Undergraduate Transfer Portfolio Submissions Specifications

For undergraduate transfer students, the art portfolio can be submitted in one of two formats: photographic slides or digital data. It should contain 15 original pieces and should include 5 drawings from direct observation.

Slide portfolios should consist of fifteen 35mm slides presented in an 8 1/2” x 11” plastic file sheet. Slides should be labeled with: the applicant’s name; the size, medium, and date of completion of the work; a dot in the lower left hand corner; and a number. Each number should correspond to a numbered list that includes information which will be useful in understanding the work illustrated in each slide. For example, include descriptions of the assignments, concepts or processes. A self-enclosed stamped envelope is required for the return of a portfolio.

Digital portfolios should be submitted on either Mac formatted CDs or DVDs. Still images can be in the .JPEG or .TIFF formats. Animation can be submitted in either Quicktime or SWF formats. Web design work should be submitted in .HTML formats. A MS Word formatted list describing the assignments, concepts, or processes involved should be included on the disk submitted.

Transfer students are admitted into specific majors only. Art portfolios are used as an aid in the evaluation of students’ previous work if submitted for transfer credit at UMass Dartmouth. CVPA offers extensive programming options within its areas of study. Transfer students selecting a major with program options (such as Visual Design) will be required to select an option when accepted. Transfer students who wish to be admitted into courses above the sophomore level must bring a portfolio to transfer orientation. Acceptance into advanced courses is not automatic.

Music Audition

An audition is required of applicants to the music program. The Department of Music and the Office of Admissions will arrange a convenient time with applicants.

Changing to a Studio or Performing Arts major

Students requesting a change of major into one of the visual arts majors/options are expected to provide a portfolio of digital images, or in the case of Music perform an audition, along with submitting the change of major form.

Advanced Placement

Credit for advanced placement courses will be awarded if grades of 3 or above (on a 1-5 scale) have been achieved in courses that have UMass Dartmouth equivalents. The department will determine whether this credit will be given toward elective or major requirements.

Course Prerequisites

Many programs in the College of Visual and Performing Arts are sequential, building knowledge and skills step-by-step. Course prerequisites, which assure that essential knowledge has been achieved, are identified in the course descriptions found in this catalogue. Normally, courses are offered only once each year; therefore, students entering the college at mid-year should be aware that they may have to wait until the following semester to meet a prerequisite.

Lectures and Studio Credit/Class Hour Requirements

Following established guidelines for professional programs, visual art courses require three hours of work per week for each hour of credit. In most studio-based art courses, two hours per credit per week are scheduled in class, and the third hour is the individual student’s responsibility to complete. Lecture courses typically meet one hour per week per hour of credit, with expectations for outside reading and writing.

Cumulative Average

To be eligible to graduate, a student must achieve at least a 2.0 cumulative average (C) for the entire program with a minimum of 2.0 in identified key courses in the major field of study, as identified in subsequent sections of the catalogue.

Retention of Student Work

The College of Visual and Performing Arts reserves the right to retain examples of student class work for teaching, exhibition and performance purposes.

Accreditation

The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Additional Programs

The college offers 36-credit certificate programs in Artisanry (Ceramics, Jewelry/Metals and Textile Design/Fiber Arts) and in Fine Arts (Painting/2D Studies or Sculpture/3D Studies). These programs are designed for individuals seeking to develop their studio practice and conceptual skills in the context of a strong foundation in art history and literature. Please see the full description of the Certificate in Artisanry and the Certificate in Fine Arts below.

For students who have already completed a bachelors degree and wish to pursue a post-baccalaureate-level studio experience, the college also offers a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Fine Arts (PBC/FIA) and a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Artisanry (PBC/ATR). Designed to be completed in two semesters, each of these programs provides an intensive studio experience whose credits can be applied toward the MFA. See the Graduate Catalogue for details.

Graduate Programs

The college offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Fine Arts in Artisanry, Fine Arts,or Visual Design; and the Master of Art Education. The MFAs in Artisanry, Fine Arts and Visual Design are professionally oriented and develop the abilities and interests of each student toward the broad goal of advanced professional practice. The Master of Art Education has components for practicing art teachers, fine arts degree holders, and continuing education students, as well as students seeking K-12 teacher certification. See the Graduate Catalogue for additional information.