Additional Studio Art, Art Education and Graphic Design Degree Programs
Program Overview:
The Center for Art and Design at The College of Saint Rose prepares creative and critical thinkers for careers in Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Art Education. The faculty of professional artists, designers, educators, and scholars are dedicated to the development of each student’s informed creative voice. The carefully developed sequence of studio and art history courses advances each student from a strong foundation to a focus on conceptual and expressive inventiveness. Art students benefit from the rare combination of a rigorous curriculum enhanced by a strong liberal arts commitment and sound intellectual discourse.
The Center for Art and Design’s programs of study focus on fostering strong artists, designers, and teachers and encouraging students to become leaders in their fields and communities. The faculty believe that individualized attention, a strong curriculum, the expectation of disciplined work, and the encouragement of leadership offer the best environment for learning, achieving success, and making a lasting impact on the world.
Mission Statement
The Center for Art and Design is driven by its Mission Statement: Visual and cultural literacy are fundamental to a liberal arts education and necessary for navigating competitive professional environments. The Center for Art and Design promotes visual and cultural literacy through disciplined studio and research practices, intellectual challenge, and interdisciplinary exchange. Faculty are committed to each student’s ability to see aesthetically, think critically, act creatively, and make lasting contributions as innovative artists, designers, educators, scholars, and leaders.
Program Goals
The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) programs are for those students whose aim is a professional career in the visual arts. The BFA provides a concentration of study in one specific studio area. However, BFA students in Studio Art have the option to create a combined concentration within two studio areas.
Program Sequence
All studio art students are enrolled in the BS Studio Art program until the end of sophomore year. By the end of sophomore year, students with a B average or above in their area(s) of concentration may apply for admission to the BFA Studio Art program by submitting an application form that includes the signatures of faculty in the student’s area(s) of concentration. Forms can be found in The Center for Art and Design Office. Faculty who sign in support of a student are indicating the student is accepted into the program. Once accepted, the student must maintain a B average or above in the Art curriculum to remain in the BFA program.
Application Process
In addition to The College of Saint Rose academic admissions requirements, all applicants to programs offered by The Center for Art and Design are required to submit a portfolio as part of the admission materials. All art applicants (Studio Art, Graphic Design or Art Education) should follow the same format when preparing their portfolio.
Portfolio Preparation Guidelines
The Center for Art and Design prefers to review the actual art, but digital portfolio submissions are also acceptable. Three-dimensional work may be presented digitally, however, more than one view is desired.
Applicant portfolios containing images in jpg format (between 150-350 dpi) may be submitted through the Art and Design Slide Room account at strose.slideroom.com. The portfolio may also be submitted to the Art and Design Admissions Liaison for review. Images on CDs, websites or flash drives are acceptable. Submissions in any of these formats must be accompanied by a separate numerical inventory that lists the size, medium and date completed for each of the works.
The applicant’s portfolio should consist of 15 – 20 examples of artwork. Work produced within the past two years is preferred, as it will best reflect technical ability and interests.
- 50% Drawing: Fifty percent of the portfolio should be drawing and approximately half of these drawings should reflect work from direct observation, not from photographs. Examples could include still–life, interior space, landscape and figure drawing.
- Concerning media and style: A variety of media may be represented. Be sure to include finished drawings in your portfolio. This means work that demonstrates refinement, development of detail and time invested. However, including a few examples of more quickly produced work, such as contour or gesture drawings, is helpful in assessing efficiency when working within a time limitation.
- 50% Personal strength: This component of the portfolio is your chance to showcase your personal style and creativity. You may choose to present a series of works in a single discipline or explore a variety of techniques, media and concepts. This is your opportunity to showcase your unique vision.
- Independent or Experimental work: Consider including examples of working outside of your comfort zone as an opportunity to discuss ideas and creative goals.
- Sketchbook or Journal: A sketchbook is an important addition to your portfolio. The sketchbook demonstrates your creative process and information gathering methods, as well as providing insight into your visual editing skills and intuitive approach to art making.
A Note for Transfer Students
The Center for Art and Design welcomes transfer students; however, all transfer credits in art are subject to portfolio review. Those students who have not completed the equivalent of the first two years of our program before transferring may not be able to complete the program in two years.
For purposes of evaluation and placement, transfer students seeking credit for a studio course taken at another institution will need to include additional work to represent the content covered in each class for which the student is applying for transfer credit.
Transfer students should consult The College of Saint Rose Transfer Equivalency Database at: www.strose.edu/officesandresources/registrar/transferequivalency to review transfer equivalency agreements between their former institution and The College of Saint Rose.
Program Contacts:
To email the Department Chair, Kristine Tolmie: tolmiek@strose.edu
For admissions questions contact the Undergraduate Admissions Liaison,
Marian Chilson: chilsonm@strose.edu
For general questions contact, the Art and Design Coordinator: grzymals@strose.edu
Program Webpage: Center of Art and Design
Program Requirements:
BFA in Studio Art - Concentration in Painting & Drawing (83 credits)
All studio art students are enrolled in the BS Studio Art program until the end of sophomore year. By the end of sophomore year, students with a B average or above in their area(s) of concentration may apply for admission to the BFA Studio Art program by submitting an application form that includes the signatures of faculty in the student’s area(s) of concentration. Forms can be found in The Center for Art and Design Office. Students must attach a copy of the first page of their Degree Works to the form mentioned above. Faculty who sign in support of a student are indicating the student is accepted into the program. Once accepted, the student must maintain a B average or above in the Art curriculum to remain in the BFA program.
BFA students have the option to create a combined concentration by taking nine advanced studio credits in each of two areas (Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture) with the permission of a faculty member from each area. Advanced studio courses may be taken for a maximum of three credits in each studio area per semester for a maximum total of six credits per semester.
BFA students with a concentration in Painting & Drawing may take three credits of (either) a Special Topics course (or a Faculty-led Program course) taught by Painting & Drawing faculty towards their total Advanced Painting & Drawing credit. More than three credits would require special permission of the Painting & Drawing faculty.
Students must receive a C or better in all required art courses in order to meet the prerequisite for the next level and to advance in the program.
Transfer students must take one level of Drawing at The College of Saint Rose.
Major Requirements: 58 credits
Choose two areas out of three
Sculpture
Printmaking
Photography
Required Art History Courses: 16 Credits
Choose one of the following eight
Choose one of the following eight
Art Electives (ART or AHI*): 9 Credits
*The Center for Art and Design suggests that BFA Studio majors take an additional Art History course to satisfy a portion of their elective credits. Students who take an additional (fifth) Art History and who have maintained at least a B average or above in all Art History courses may apply for an Art History minor.
BFA in Studio Art - Concentration in Photography (83 credits)
All studio art students are enrolled in the BS Studio Art program until the end of sophomore year. By the end of sophomore year, students with a B average or above in their area(s) of concentration may apply for admission to the BFA Studio Art program by submitting an application form that includes the signatures of faculty in the student’s area(s) of concentration. Forms can be found in The Center for Art and Design Office. Students must attach a copy of the first page of their Degree Works to the form mentioned above. Faculty who sign in support of a student are indicating the student is accepted into the program. Once accepted, the student must maintain a B average or above in the Art curriculum to remain in the BFA program.
BFA students have the option to create a combined concentration by taking nine advanced studio credits in each of two areas (Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture) with the permission of a faculty member from each area. Advanced studio courses may be taken for a maximum of three credits in each studio area per semester for a maximum total of six credits per semester.
Students must receive a C or better in all required art courses in order to meet the prerequisite for the next level and to advance in the program.
Transfer students must take one level of drawing at The College of Saint Rose.
Major Requirements: 61 credits
Choose two areas out of three
Painting
Sculpture
Printmaking
Required Art History Courses: 16 Credits
Choose one of the following eight
Art Electives (ART or AHI*): 6 credits
*The Center for Art and Design suggests that BFA Studio majors take an additional Art History course to satisfy a portion of their elective credits. Students who take an additional (fifth) Art History and who have maintained at least a B average or above in all Art History courses may apply for an Art History minor.
BFA in Studio Art - Concentration in Printmaking (83 credits)
All studio art students are enrolled in the BS Studio Art program until the end of sophomore year. By the end of sophomore year, students with a B average or above in their area(s) of concentration may apply for admission to the BFA Studio Art program by submitting an application form that includes the signatures of faculty in the student’s area(s) of concentration. Forms can be found in The Center for Art and Design Office. Students must attach a copy of the first page of their Degree Works to the form mentioned above. Faculty who sign in support of a student are indicating the student is accepted into the program. Once accepted, the student must maintain a B average or above in the Art curriculum to remain in the BFA program.
BFA students have the option to create a combined concentration by taking nine advanced studio credits in each of two areas (Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture) with the permission of a faculty member from each area. Advanced studio courses may be taken for a maximum of three credits in each studio area per semester for a maximum total of six credits per semester.
Students must receive a C or better in all required art courses in order to meet the prerequisite for the next level and to advance in the program.
Transfer students must take one level of drawing at The College of Saint Rose.
Major Requirements: 61 credits
Choose twelve credits from the following
Choose two areas out of three
Painting
Sculpture
Photography
Choose eighteen credits from the following
| ART 425 | Advanced Screen Printing 1 | 3 or 6 |
| ART 434 | Advanced Screen Printing 2 | 3 or 6 |
| ART 435 | Advanced Screen Printing 3 | 3 or 6 |
| ART 431 | Advanced Intaglio 1 | 3 or 6 |
| ART 438 | Adv Intaglio 2 | 3 or 6 |
| ART 441 | Adv Intaglio 3 | 3 or 6 |
| ART 426 | Advanced Relief Printmaking 1 | 3 to 6 |
| ART 427 | Advanced Relief Printmaking 2 | 3 to 6 |
| ART 430 | Advanced Relief Printmaking 3 | 3 or 6 |
*All advanced courses may be taken for 6 credits with permission of faculty
Required Art History Courses: 16 Credits
Choose one of the following eight
Choose one of the following eight
Art Electives (ART or AHI*): 6 Credits
*The Center for Art and Design suggests that BFA Studio majors take an additional Art History course to satisfy a portion of their elective credits. Students who take an additional (fifth) Art History and who have maintained at least a B average or above in all Art History courses may apply for an Art History minor.
BFA in Studio Art - Concentration in Sculpture (83 credits)
All studio art students are enrolled in the BS Studio Art program until the end of sophomore year. By the end of sophomore year, students with a B average or above in their area(s) of concentration may apply for admission to the BFA Studio Art program by submitting an application form that includes the signatures of faculty in the student’s area(s) of concentration. Forms can be found in The Center for Art and Design Office. Students must attach a copy of the first page of their Degree Works to the form mentioned above. Faculty who sign in support of a student are indicating the student is accepted into the program. Once accepted, the student must maintain a B average or above in the Art curriculum to remain in the BFA program.
BFA students have the option to create a combined concentration by taking nine advanced studio credits in each of two areas (Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture) with the permission of a faculty member from each area. Advanced studio courses may be taken for a maximum of three credits in each studio area per semester for a maximum total of six credits per semester.
Students must receive a C or better in all required art courses in order to meet the prerequisite for the next level and to advance in the program.
Transfer students must take one level of drawing at The College of Saint Rose.
Major Requirements:55 credits
Choose two areas out of three
Painting
Photography
Printmaking
Required Art History Courses: 16 Credits
Choose one of the following eight
Art Electives (ART or AHI*): 12 Credits
*The Center for Art and Design suggests that BFA Studio majors take an additional Art History course to satisfy a portion of their elective credits. Students who take an additional (fifth) Art History and who have maintained at least a B average or above in all Art History courses may apply for an Art History minor.
Internship/Field Experiences/Study Abroad/Service:
Internship Experiences
While not required, semester-long internships provide studio art majors with excellent networking opportunities and the ability to observe and experience the working environment of a studio artist. Saint Rose studio art majors have interned with local and regional sculptors, painters, photographers and printmakers, and have completed museum internships at the Albany Institute of History and Art and The Arts Center of the Capital Region.
Study Abroad
The Center for Art and Design encourages global study through study abroad experiences. Students interested in pursuing study abroad opportunities may enroll in Studio or Art History Special Topics courses, participate in a faculty-led program, attend Studio Art Centers International (SACI) or explore international study programs offered through the College’s Center for International Programs. The Center for Art and Design faculty-led programs provide offerings annually and have traveled to: China, Spain, England, Italy, France and Ecuador.
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Courses
A capstone course that provides closure for students in the BS and BFA Studio programs and guidance for the transition to graduate school or independent studio practice. Assignments align with the major topics of the course to prepare students to become professionals in their field. These include grant-writing, resume, artist statement, graduate school research and application, website development and exhibition organization. Studio Fee, Fall
Senior Exhibition is a graduation requirement for all BS and BFA students. It is held annually at the Massry Center for the Arts in the Esther Massry Gallery and Standish Atrium Gallery. Students must consult with faculty in their discipline(s) to select qualified work for exhibition. Students must complete the Senior Show contract with appropriate faculty signatures approving the work for exhibition. Students are required to consult with the Esther Massry Gallery Director when necessary; follow through with all exhibition requirements; consult the planning schedule as outlined and meet all deadlines; and participate with the organization (this may include installation and de-installation as assigned) of this capstone exhibition. Exhibition fee. Spring semester.
Professional Accreditation:
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
The Center for Art and Design at The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://nasad.arts-accredit.org/
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)
Programs offered by The College of Saint Rose for the preparation of all school professionals, leading to initial and advanced certifications, are accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, a specialized accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.ncate.org/
New York State Education Department (NYSED)
The College of Saint Rose, sponsored by the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, Albany Province, is chartered by the Board of Regents of New York State. All of its degrees and programs are registered and its professional programs fully approved by the Board of Regents through the New York State Education Department.
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
The College of Saint Rose is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. http://www.msche.org/
Career Opportunities and Graduate Studies:
Graduate school is an opportunity for emerging artists to further develop their work. While pursuing an advanced degree is very important for studio art graduates, the master’s degree does not necessarily need to be earned immediately after receiving the bachelor’s degree. Some of the prestigious schools that our alumni have attended include:
• Boston Museum School
• School of Visual Arts
• Cranbrook Academy of Art
• University of Michigan
• Rochester Institute of Technology
• Yale University
• University of Indiana at Bloomington
• The Bernard and Anne Spitzer School of Architecture
• Montclair State University
• Rutgers University
• Alfred University
• Rhode Island School of Design
• The State University of New York at Albany
• The State University of New York at New Paltz
Some careers/opportunities related to the field of studio arts include:
• Art critic
• Art historian
• Art restoration
• Art therapist
• Artist-in-residence
• Artist’s apprentice
• College professor
• College studio technician
• Commercial photographer
• Commercial textile screen printing
• Digital archivist
• Display artist
• Fine arts painter, photographer, sculptor, printmaker
• Fine arts studio assistant
• Furniture designer
• Gallery director
• Mural painter
• Museum/gallery curator
• Museum technician
• Photojournalist
• Portrait photographer
• Product and food photography
Minor(s):
Complete minors listing
Admissions and Financial Aid Information:
The Undergraduate Admissions Office begins review of Freshman applications each fall in late September for the following Fall. Students are encouraged to submit a complete an application as early as November. The Admissions Team will return a decision on complete applications within just three weeks. The College awards academic scholarships at the same time.
What Makes an Application Complete
- Online or Paper application (fee waived for online applicants!)
- Official High School Transcripts
- Official Transcripts for any College Level Courses
- SAT or ACT scores (See Test Optional FAQ's)
- Letter of Recommendation from a Counselor or Teacher
- Essay or Graded Paper
- Applicants may also apply via the Common Application Online.
- Art applicants are required to complete a portfolio review.
Admissions contact information (telephone number, admissions web pages)
Scholarships and Financial Aid
See Tuition, Fees, and Financial Aid section for more information.
The Bottom Line
The total cost of The College of Saint Rose (including tuition, fees, room and board) is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast, and we award more than $25 million in Saint Rose scholarships, grants and financial aid.
Take a look at our bottom line, and view a cost comparison with a four-year public institution.
More about Financial Aid
Financial Aid is defined as any grant, scholarship, loan, or employment opportunity given with the express purpose of assisting you with education-related expenses to make your education affordable. Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of student need and the availability of funds.
The Admission and Financial Aid teams have designed a Guide to Scholarships and Financial Aid to help prospective students and families get to the bottom line and find that The College of Saint Rose is one of the lowest of any private college in the Northeast--while maintaining powerful academic opportunities.
Additional Art Admissions Information:
Portfolio Preparation Guidelines
In addition to The College of Saint Rose academic admissions requirements, all applicants to programs offered by The Center for Art and Design are required to submit a portfolio as part of the admission materials. All art applicants (Studio Art, Graphic Design or Art Education) should follow the same format when preparing their portfolio.
The Center for Art and Design prefers to review the actual art, but digital portfolio submissions are also acceptable. Three-dimensional work may be presented digitally, however, more than one view is desired.
Applicant portfolios containing images in jpg format (between 150-350 dpi) may be submitted through the Art and Design Slide Room account at strose.slideroom.com. The portfolio may also be submitted to the Art and Design Admissions Liaison for review. Images on CDs, websites or flash drives are acceptable. Submissions in any of these formats must be accompanied by a separate numerical inventory that lists the size, medium and date completed for each of the works.
The applicant’s portfolio should consist of 15 – 20 examples of artwork. Work produced within the past two years is preferred, as it will best reflect technical ability and interests.
- 50% Drawing: Fifty percent of the portfolio should be drawing and approximately half of these drawings should reflect work from direct observation, not from photographs. Examples could include still–life, interior space, landscape and figure drawing.
- Concerning media and style: A variety of media may be represented. Be sure to include finished drawings in your portfolio. This means work that demonstrates refinement, development of detail and time invested. However, including a few examples of more quickly produced work, such as contour or gesture drawings, is helpful in assessing efficiency when working within a time limitation.
- 50% Personal strength: This component of the portfolio is your chance to showcase your personal style and creativity. You may choose to present a series of works in a single discipline or explore a variety of techniques, media and concepts. This is your opportunity to showcase your unique vision.
- Independent or Experimental work: Consider including examples of working outside of your comfort zone as an opportunity to discuss ideas and creative goals.
- Sketchbook or Journal: A sketchbook is an important addition to your portfolio. The sketchbook demonstrates your creative process and information gathering methods, as well as providing insight into your visual editing skills and intuitive approach to art making.
Find Out More: