Art Education
Emphasis
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Overview
The Art Education emphasis is designed for those interested in professional preparation for teaching art. The program meets the State of Kansas art teacher certification requirements for elementary and secondary levels (PK-12) of public instruction. Basic art studio, history, and pedagogy courses make up one of the three components of the degree. The other two components consist of a required group of general education courses and a required group of professional education courses.
Additional information
- Emphasis Distinctives
- Career Options
The Department of Art is located in Pittsburg State University’s Porter Hall, a three-story building originally built in 1927 as the university’s library. This complex of spacious studios, galleries, and classrooms affords students an environment for significant artistic learning opportunities for the study of ceramics, printmaking, jewelry design, weaving, sculpture, drawing, painting, photography, art history, and art education. Porter Hall also contains two gallery spaces on the main floor, the Harry Krug and University Galleries, which feature rotating exhibits of work by national and international professional artists. The Second Floor Gallery features community-based art projects. Artists whose work is exhibited in the gallery spaces travel to campus to give lectures or workshops and interact with our students to provide them with deeper insight and understanding of the art world.
Art teaching remains an important career choice for many art students. The department continues to successfully place graduates in elementary and secondary schools.
About Art Department
Through the Department of Art at Pittsburg State University, students gain a strong foundation in creative critical thinking and artmaking.
Our program of study leads to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. The BFA degree prepares students for a multitude of professional careers in studio, applied arts, and art education, and is also considered fundamental preparation for graduate degrees in the studio arts and art history.
Under the BFA program students choose one of four emphasis areas:
- 2D Studio Art
- 3D Studio Art
- Illustration and Visual Storytelling
- Art Education
Our curriculum, no matter the emphasis, is divided into three main tiers: foundations, media and technique, and application.
The student-to-faculty ratio in the Department of Art is 15 to 1.
The art program is structured for hands-on application. Conceptualize, design, and paint murals for downtown Pittsburg.
Students are placed in internships aiding in the operations of museums, galleries, and studio spaces.
Excellent studio facilities and an experienced faculty are hallmarks of the program.
Major opportunities for personal artistic and professional development from faculty who are working artists and/or research scholars in their respective disciplines are afforded to all students.