Additional Studio Art and Graphic Design Degree Programs:
Program Overview:
The Center for Art & Design at The College of Saint Rose prepares creative and critical thinkers for careers in Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Design Media Arts. 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 art and art history courses advances each student from a strong foundation to a focus on conceptual and expressive inventiveness. Art and design 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 & Design’s programs of study focus on fostering strong artists and designers, 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
Visual, creative, cultural, and design literacy are fundamental to a liberal arts education and necessary for navigating competitive professional environments. The Center for Art & Design promotes these essential literacies through disciplined studio and research practices, intellectual challenge, and interdisciplinary exchange. The faculty are committed to each student’s ability to see aesthetically, act creatively, think critically, and make lasting contributions as innovative artists, designers, educators, scholars, and leaders.
Program Goals
The Bachelor of Science in Studio Art is for students who choose to pursue a breadth of experience and understanding in art rather than professional specialization in any one studio area. This degree allows for elective credits that can be taken in the liberal arts, art, or Art History.
The Center for Art & Design aims to:
- foster each student’s personal voice and informed visual education.
- prepare students for careers in the fields of art and graphic design by promoting opportunities for creativity, critical thinking and innovative problem solving.
- inspire students to pursue intellectual opportunities in the world of art and design and become life-long learners and leaders in their fields.
Students who successfully complete the BS Studio Art Program will be able to:
- demonstrate making as a way of thinking. They will develop the ability to explore a diverse range of mediums experimenting with concepts and ideas through shaping, transforming and re-contextualizing materials.
- demonstrate research-based critical and creative exploration focused on content, process, voice, intellectual breadth, and an expanded liberal arts experience.
- critically analyze art and texts related to art, decode visual rhetoric, situate their artwork within artistic and theoretical contexts both past and contemporary, and understand how material, process, and media impact form and content.
- demonstrate fluency and proficiency in articulating ideas through oral, written, and visual communication skills. Ultimately, they will demonstrate confidence and sophistication in their social, personal and professional communication that will help to advance life-long learning in a career focused on visual thinking and the arts.
Program Sequence
All studio art students take a year-long Foundations of Art & Design Program. Students must receive a C or better in all required studio art and art history courses in order to meet the prerequisite for the next level and to advance in the program.
Application Process
In addition to The College of Saint Rose academic admissions requirements, all applicants to programs offered by The Center for Art & Design are required to submit a portfolio as part of the admission materials. All art applicants (Studio Art, Graphic Design, and Design Media Arts) should follow the same format when preparing their portfolio.
Portfolio Preparation Guidelines
Yes. You need a portfolio.
Your portfolio says a lot about who you are, what interests you and how you see the world.
Select works that focus on your progress and what’s important to you. Think of your portfolio as an opportunity to share your vision with like-minded creatives.
Include work that demonstrates your confidence! You will want to: showcase your ability to draw from observation; highlight the star pieces that show you at your best; and, include works that demonstrate your willingness to take risks, engage in the art-making process and step out of your comfort zone.
Your portfolio should include the following:
15 – 20 works total
Work should be recent (created within a two-year window) and relevant to your interests!
5 drawings from direct observation
Drawing from life is key in assessing how you see, interpret relationships and experience the world. For example, drawings should demonstrate your approach to composition, mark making and quality of light. Still life, self-portrait, interior space and landscape can be explored. Consider how you demonstrate your understanding of value in these pieces. These five drawings should not be drawn from photographic references or include anime.
Remember, it’s not what you choose to draw but how you choose to approach your subject that counts.
10 – 15 additional works
Follow the advice above and showcase your unique vision and abilities. Consider including a series of works exploring the same idea in a variety of media. Get comfortable with the experience of confidently assessing the results of your explorations and be prepared to talk about your ideas and process during your review. To get ready, ask yourself: What was your initial inspiration? How did you approach making the work? Are you satisfied with the results? What did you learn in the process?
Your sketchbook or journal is your space to explore and create! Include it as a supplement to your portfolio since it can provide real insight into what motivates you.
Presentation
Keep work neat and flat, with a slip-sheet between each piece. Matting, mounting, or framing is unnecessary and adds bulk to your portfolio. Larger works, three-dimensional and digital work can be presented in digital or photo documentation. When documenting work be sure that the images are clear and lighting is beneficial to the work.
Your Portfolio Review: When, Where and How?
On-Campus
Register on line for your review on one of our Center for Art & Design Portfolio Review Days. Have an individual review, tour our facilities, see current work and meet faculty and students.
Or schedule a weekday portfolio review by calling the Art Office at 518-485-3900.
On the Road
For a comprehensive list including National and Regional Portfolio Review dates go to https://www.strose.edu/academics/schools/school-of-arts-humanities/center-for-art-design/portfolio-review-calendar/
Online
We work with the online portfolio admissions site SlideRoom:
First year students
https://strose.slideroom.com
Transfer students
https://strose.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/47092
Please include in the notes section the title, size, media, date completed and comments for each work.
By Mail
Digital submissions are also acceptable. Please include an inventory with the title, size, media, date completed and comments for each work. DO NOT send original artwork.
Attn: The Center for Art & Design
The College of Saint Rose
432 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
A Note for Transfer Students
The Center for Art & 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 a Saint Rose degree program before transferring may not be able to complete the degree 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:
Kristine Tolmie
Chair, The Center for Art & Design
Email: tolmiek@strose.edu
Marian Chilson
Undergraduate Admissions Liaison for Art
Email: chilsonm@strose.edu
Heidi Tyler
The Center for Art & Design Coordinator
Email: tylerh@strose.edu
Program Webpage: Studio Art, BS
Program Requirements:
BS in Studio Art (68 credits)
Major Requirements (52 credits):
Choose three studio areas out of the following four:
Choose three advanced studio courses in an area of concentration:
| ART 4XX | Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, or Sculpture | 9 |
Required Art History Courses (16 Credits):
Choose one of the following eight:
Choose one of the following eight:
Students must receive a C or better in all required art and art history 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.
Internship/Field Experiences/Study Abroad/Service:
Study Abroad
The Center for Art & Design faculty encourage 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 & Design faculty-led programs are offered annually. In the past students and faculty have traveled to: China, Cuba, Ecuador, England, France, Italy, Iceland and Spain.
Required Courses:
Culminating Academic Experiences:
Required Courses:
Suggested 4 Year Course Plan:
This suggested plan is designed to give students an idea of how to balance their coursework over 8 semesters and to graduate within 4 years. Most students will need to take a minimum of 30 credits each year in order to meet the graduation requirement of a minimum of 122 overall credits for this degree. It should be used along with the Degree Works worksheet and in consultation with the faculty advisor. It is meant as a guide to help in scheduling. Please note that several ART courses are part of a sequence that must be followed. The faculty advisor will help you make any necessary adjustments during advisement.
Year 1: Fall requirements should be supplemented with 4 credits of Liberal Education courses. Spring requirements should be supplemented with 3 credits of Liberal Education courses.
Fall (15 credits)
ART 100 coLAB: Foundations of Art & Design Seminar (1 cr)
ART 101 Intro. to Art & Design (0 cr)
ART 113 Drawing 1 (3 cr)
ART 110 Two-D Concepts (3 cr)
ENG 105 Expos. Writing, Oral Communications, and Research (4 cr)
Spring (16 credits)
ART 213 Drawing 2 (3 cr)
AHI 208 Intro. to Art History & Visual Literacy (4 cr)
ART 112 Three-D Concepts (3 cr)
Choose from level one printmaking or photography: (3 cr)
ART 224/225/226/228 OR ART 232
Year 2: Fall requirements should be supplemented with 3 credits of Liberal Education courses. Spring requirements should be supplemented with 3 credits of Liberal Education courses.
Fall (16 credits)
ART 215 Painting 1 (3 cr)
ART 220 Sculpture 1 (3 cr)
Choose the other level one printmaking or photography area:
ART 224/225/226/228 OR ART 232 (3 cr)
AHI Group A (see below) (4 cr) OR AHI 247 History of Modern Art (4 cr)
Spring (16 credits)
Choose 3 of the following 4 level two:
ART 216 OR ART 221 OR ART 233 OR ART 325/326/328 (9 cr)
AHI 247 History of Modern Art (4 cr) OR AHI Group A (see below) (4 cr)
Year 3: Fall requirements should be supplemented with 3 credits of Liberal Education courses. Spring requirements should be supplemented with 3 credits of Liberal Education courses.
Fall (16 credits)
ART 323 Critical Concepts in Drawing (3 cr)
Advanced Studio 1 (3 cr)
ART Studio Elective (3 cr)
ART 301 Junior Review (0 cr)
AHI Group B (see below) (4 cr) < OR >
Spring (16 credits)
Advanced Studio 2 (3 cr)
ART 390 Studio Art Internship (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
AHI Group B (see below) (4 cr)
Summer (0 credits)
ART 391 Studio Art Internship Fieldwork (0 cr)
Year 4: Fall requirements should be supplemented with 7 credits of Liberal Education courses. Spring requirements should be supplemented with Liberal Education courses or electives.
Fall (16 credits)
Advanced Studio 3 (3 cr)
ART 489 Studio Seminar (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Spring (14-16 credits)
ART 496 Senior Capstone (0 or 1 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective or Art History Elective (3-4 cr)
NOTE: This degree enables students to pursue electives in liberal arts, art or art history.
Students are required to take four Level 1 courses in all studio disciplines: Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking and Sculpture and corresponding Level 2 courses in three studio disciplines.
< OR > means that these courses are offered both Fall and Spring and are interchangeable.
AHI Group A – choose one: Courses include: AHI 200, 211, 238, 280, 285, 295, 390, 399
AHI Group B – choose one: Courses include: AHI 300, 344, 350, 366, 380, 388, 390, 498
Eligible students may enroll in a fifth Art History course to earn an Art History Minor.
Professional Accreditation:
National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
The Center for Art & 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/
Opportunities and Graduate Study:
Graduate school is an opportunity for emerging artists to further develop their work. While pursuing an advanced degree is important for studio art graduates, the master’s degree is not necessarily undertaken 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 educator
• 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
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 still 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 you 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
Yes. You need a portfolio.
Your portfolio says a lot about who you are, what interests you and how you see the world.
Select works that focus on your progress and what’s important to you. Think of your portfolio as an opportunity to share your vision with like-minded creatives.
Include work that demonstrates your confidence! You will want to: showcase your ability to draw from observation; highlight the star pieces that show you at your best; and, include works that demonstrate your willingness to take risks, engage in the art-making process and step out of your comfort zone.
Your portfolio should include the following:
15 – 20 works total
Work should be recent (created within a two-year window) and relevant to your interests!
5 drawings from direct observation
Drawing from life is key in assessing how you see, interpret relationships and experience the world. For example, drawings should demonstrate your approach to composition, mark making and quality of light. Still life, self-portrait, interior space and landscape can be explored. Consider how you demonstrate your understanding of value in these pieces. These five drawings should not be drawn from photographic references or include anime.
Remember, it’s not what you choose to draw but how you choose to approach your subject that counts.
10 – 15 additional works
Follow the advice above and showcase your unique vision and abilities. Consider including a series of works exploring the same idea in a variety of media. Get comfortable with the experience of confidently assessing the results of your explorations and be prepared to talk about your ideas and process during your review. To get ready, ask yourself: What was your initial inspiration? How did you approach making the work? Are you satisfied with the results? What did you learn in the process?
Your sketchbook or journal is your space to explore and create! Include it as a supplement to your portfolio since it can provide real insight into what motivates you.
Presentation
Keep work neat and flat, with a slip-sheet between each piece. Matting, mounting, or framing is unnecessary and adds bulk to your portfolio. Larger works, three-dimensional and digital work can be presented in digital or photo documentation. When documenting work be sure that the images are clear and lighting is beneficial to the work.
Your Portfolio Review: When, Where and How?
On-Campus
Register on line for your review on one of our Center for Art & Design Portfolio Review Days. Have an individual review, tour our facilities, see current work and meet faculty and students.
Or schedule a weekday portfolio review by calling the Art Office at 518-485-3900.
On the Road
For a comprehensive list including National and Regional Portfolio Review dates go to https://www.strose.edu/academics/schools/school-of-arts-humanities/center-for-art-design/portfolio-review-calendar/
Online
We work with the online portfolio admissions site SlideRoom:
First year students
https://strose.slideroom.com
Transfer students
https://strose.slideroom.com/#/permalink/program/47092
Please include in the notes section the title, size, media, date completed and comments for each work.
By Mail
Digital submissions are also acceptable. Please include an inventory with the title, size, media, date completed and comments for each work. DO NOT send original artwork.
Attn: The Center for Art & Design
The College of Saint Rose
432 Western Avenue
Albany, NY 12203
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