The Art Department will continue to build and maintain a diverse and contemporary program that will promote critical thinking, creative problem solving, and aesthetic understanding in both the student body and the faculty.
Objective
NASAD Accreditation
The Art Department will pursue membership in the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, the accrediting body for schools with art programs.
Indicator
Self Study
The Art Department will produce a Self Study Document to submit to a NASAD visitation team. The Self Study will describe the Art Department in relation to the standards set forth in the NASAD Handbook.
Action
Continue Self Study
The self study is in process and will be continued. A consultant scheduled for the spring of 2008 cancelled due to a new appointment and this should be rescheduled. The NASAD committee needs to include a member from the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences since their degree program in Interior Design must be included in the self study.
Objective
Attract And Retain Quality Faculty
The Art Department will fill faculty vacancies with candidates with terminal degrees who are actively conducting research in their discipline.
Indicator
Fill A Faculty Position In Graphic Design
A Search Committee will be formed within the department to find and hire a Graphic Design Faculty member.
Indicator
Fill A Faculty Position In Computer Animation
A Search Committee will be formed within the department to find and hire a Computer Animation Faculty member.
Indicator
Fill A Faculty Position In 3D Studio
A Search Committee will be formed within the department to find and hire a Faculty member to teach in the 3D studio area including ceramics.
Indicator
Fill A Faculty Position In Art History
A Search Committee will be formed within the department to find and hire a Art Historian.
Action
Support New Faculty
Four Faculty Member accepted positions in Graphic Design, Computer Animation, Art History, and 3D Studio. The Art Department will commit to supporting these faculty in their research, teaching, and pursuit of tenure.
Objective
BFA Review
The Art Department will conduct a portfolio review of students upon the completion of the foundation courses. The review will consist of student work from these classes presented to a faculty committee. Students will pass the review before admission to BFA programs in Studio Art, Graphic Design, Computer Animation or Photography. The review will offer faculty the opportunity to asses the student's individual progress. The process of reviewing a body of student work will also provide the opportunity to assess the following course required before the review:
Indicator
BFA Review Will Be A Gate
Successful completion of the BFA review will be required BEFORE students take upper division courses in their selected program.
Action
Continue To Refine And Implement The BFA Review
Because the BFA review has been recently implemented, students at various stages in the degree plans have been required to take it. The department has only recently been able to prevent students who have not taken or passed the review from taking upper level courses. The requirements and criteria for passage need to continue to be refined and made more clear for the students.
Objective
Graduating Senior Exhibition
Use the Senior Exhibition as an assessment for upper level studio courses.
Indicator
Graduating Seniors Work Will Be Assessed
The Graduating Senior exhibition offers an opportunity for assessment of upper level art courses, much like the BFA review allows faculty to asses the foundation courses. The indicator will be that students have guidelines and understand the requirement and faculty have criteria by which to asses the work.
Action
Develop Criteria
Develop criteria and guidelines for the Graduating Senior Exhibition requirement for the BFA in studio art. Make this information readily available to the students.
Goal
Promote Creative Research
The Art Department will promote creative research by the students and faculty.
Objective
Award Scholarships To Outstanding Students
The Art Department will distribute money from endowed scholarships to students annually for creative work that is deemed worthy of support by faculty committees and outside jurors.
Indicator
Scholarship Awards
At the annual open house 16 scholarships totalling $9,554 were awarded to 16 students. Awards determined by a committee of art faculty. Awards totaling $1,500 were given to students based on work exhibited in the annual juried student show. Awards determined by Benito Huerta, curator of exhibitions at the University of Texas at Arlington Art Gallery. A $3,000 scholarship was offered to an incoming freshman. Awarded by a committee of art faculty based on portfolios submitted by potential students.
Action
Seek More Funding
Continue to award scholarships on an annual basis. Revise the deadlines for applications so it is easier for students to apply. Make the information regarding scholarships more readily available to eligible students. Continue fundraising through annual contributions. Seek more funding from community, alumni and other sources.
Objective
Exhibit Artwork By Faculty And Students
The Art Department will provide space and support for exhibitions of creative work by faculty members of the department and students in the program.
Indicator
Faculty Exhibitions
The Gaddis Geeslin Gallery exhibited sculpture and painting by New Faculty members Buster Graybill, Jasmyne Graybill and Summer Zickefoose September 2-September 19, 2008. The 49th Annual Faculty Exhibition included works by all faculty members in the Gaddis Geeslin Gallery January 21- Feb 14, 2009.
Indicator
10th Annual Juried Exhbition
The Gaddis Geeslin Gallery exhibited works by students chosen by juror Benita Huerta from the University of Texas at Arlington, March 30-April 24, 2009.
Indicator
SOFA Gallery
The SOFA Gallery was made available to students and exhibitions were organized by the student art association. There were 20 exhibitions by students in 2008-2009.
Indicator
W.A.S.H. Exhibitions
The W.A.S.H. program held exhibitions of student work at the end of each semester 2008-2009. The W.A.S.H. building was used entirely as an exhibition space for one day and evening and the best student work was exhbited with public reception in the evening of the event. Students in the W.A.S.H. Program also exhibited giant inflatable sculptures at various sites on campus for one day each semester. Maps and information were distributed across campus.
Action
Continue Annual Exhibitions
Exhibit work by newly hired faculty in the Fall of 2009. Schedule the 50th Annual Faculty Exhibition for Spring 2010.
Objective
Laptop Initiative Program
Investigate the feasability of having all students in graphic design and animiation purchase similar laptops as a program requirement. The department will explore whether or not the purchases can be part of financial aid. The purpose of the Laptop initiative is to provide all students with the tools to work on creative research projects outside of the lab. Access to departmental computer labs are limited to a few open hours on weekdays. Students with laptops have the advantage of being able to take their work with them and continue it wherever they are. Currently approximately 25-30% of the students use laptops in the lab. By requiring the laptop, students should be able to use financial aid for the purchase. This would help give all students an equal opportunity to excel. Furthermore, the art department would eventually be able to reduce the budget required to operate and maintain computer labs by reducing the number of workstations needed.
Indicator
Students Are Encouraged To Purchase Laptops
Students in Computer Animation and Graphic Design are being encouraged to purchase laptops by their peers and professors. Most of them desire their own personal laptop. The students with laptops have more opportunity to be productive.
Action
Make Recommendations
Recommendations for appropriate machines should be made available to students on the art department website.
Objective
Faculty Exhibition Catalog
In conjunction with the annual faculty exhibition, a catalogue will be published to illustrate the faculty work.
Indicator
50th Annual
The catalog will be published for the 50th annual faculty exhibition in Spring 2009.
Action
Design And Content
A graphic designer will be chosen (faculty volunteer(s) to design the catalog. A Photographer will be chosen (faculty volunteer(s) to photograph work, or faculty can submit their own photographs of work. The faculty profiles should be edited for consistency. The catalog should be published and distributed before the end of spring 2009.
Objective
Graduating Senior Exhibition
Use the Senior Exhibition as an assessment for upper level studio courses.
Indicator
Graduating Seniors Work Will Be Assessed
The Graduating Senior exhibition offers an opportunity for assessment of upper level art courses, much like the BFA review allows faculty to asses the foundation courses. The indicator will be that students have guidelines and understand the requirement and faculty have criteria by which to asses the work.
Action
Develop Criteria
Develop criteria and guidelines for the Graduating Senior Exhibition requirement for the BFA in studio art. Make this information readily available to the students.
Objective
Provide Space For The Photography Program
The Photography Program currently uses space in the Dan Rather, separated across campus from the Art Department. It is desirable for all of the disciplines in the Art Department to be close to one another. This should stimulate creativity and inter-disciplinary exchange.
Indicator
Black And White Darkroom
A Black and White Darkroom was created on the first floor of Art Building B and was being used in the Fall 2008.
Indicator
Digital Labs And Photo Studio
A building adjacent to the Fine Arts Complex was acquired for use by the Art Department and interior construction has been approved. The space will be used for a digital lab and a photo studio. The digital darkroom will be moved to Art Building D in a room formerly used as a design studio.
Action
Move Studios And Labs
Move the photography studio, digital lab and digital darkroom to the fine arts complex when the construction is completed. The schedule calls for this to be done before Spring 09.
Goal
Procure Appropriate Resources To Facilitate The Academic Mission Of The Department
The department will monitor the classroom, laboratory, research, and out-reach (service) needs of the unit. Budget requests will reflect these needs.
Objective
Provide Space For The W.A.S.H. Program
The department will work with the COAS in designing and procuring permanent space for the newly initiated WASH program.
Indicator
Design Approved And Plan Implemented
A design for 6,000 sq. ft. building dedicated to the W.A.S.H. program was proposed, approved and funded. The site is being prepared and occupancy is scheduled for no later than Fall 2010.
Action
Continue W.A.S.H. Off Campus
Currently the WASH program is operating in rented space off campus. This space is adequate and will be continued to be used until the new building is occupied.
Objective
Provide Space For The Photography Program
The Photography Program currently uses space in the Dan Rather, separated across campus from the Art Department. It is desirable for all of the disciplines in the Art Department to be close to one another. This should stimulate creativity and inter-disciplinary exchange.
Indicator
Black And White Darkroom
A Black and White Darkroom was created on the first floor of Art Building B and was being used in the Fall 2008.
Indicator
Digital Labs And Photo Studio
A building adjacent to the Fine Arts Complex was acquired for use by the Art Department and interior construction has been approved. The space will be used for a digital lab and a photo studio. The digital darkroom will be moved to Art Building D in a room formerly used as a design studio.
Action
Move Studios And Labs
Move the photography studio, digital lab and digital darkroom to the fine arts complex when the construction is completed. The schedule calls for this to be done before Spring 09.
Objective
Laptop Initiative Program
Investigate the feasability of having all students in graphic design and animiation purchase similar laptops as a program requirement. The department will explore whether or not the purchases can be part of financial aid. The purpose of the Laptop initiative is to provide all students with the tools to work on creative research projects outside of the lab. Access to departmental computer labs are limited to a few open hours on weekdays. Students with laptops have the advantage of being able to take their work with them and continue it wherever they are. Currently approximately 25-30% of the students use laptops in the lab. By requiring the laptop, students should be able to use financial aid for the purchase. This would help give all students an equal opportunity to excel. Furthermore, the art department would eventually be able to reduce the budget required to operate and maintain computer labs by reducing the number of workstations needed.
Indicator
Students Are Encouraged To Purchase Laptops
Students in Computer Animation and Graphic Design are being encouraged to purchase laptops by their peers and professors. Most of them desire their own personal laptop. The students with laptops have more opportunity to be productive.
Action
Make Recommendations
Recommendations for appropriate machines should be made available to students on the art department website.
Goal
Provide Effective Communication With Internal And External Constituencies
The department will insure that appropriate communication channels are maintained with the College of Arts and Sciences Office, upper administration, current students, prospective students, and other external constituencies.
Objective
Departmental Website
The Departmental Website will be updated and maintained on a regularly scheduled basis.
Indicator
Updated Information
News of faculty exhibits and creative endeavors will be updated monthly. List of faculty currently in the department will be updated annually. The calendar of events will list exhibitions and be easily found. Laptop recommendations will be listed. Information about the BFA review will be available.
Action
Maintain Website
Continue to update the website. Updates should be given to the designer on a schedule and per deadlines.
Objective
Art Department Newsletter
The department will publish a newsletter to distribute to alumni and members of the community and other interested organizations. The Newsletter will describe the achievements of the department, the plans and provide news of art department events and faculty research. Outstanding student achievements and scholarships will be included. The newsletter will promote fundraising for the department.
Indicator
Newsletter Publication
The Newsletter will be published and distributed twice annually.
Action
Publish Newsletter
The first newsletter is ready for publication in the fall 2009. It should be published and distributed. Information for the second newletter should begun to be gathered and sent to Debra Harper in the Visual Resources Library.
Objective
Faculty Exhibition Catalog
In conjunction with the annual faculty exhibition, a catalogue will be published to illustrate the faculty work.
Indicator
50th Annual
The catalog will be published for the 50th annual faculty exhibition in Spring 2009.
Action
Design And Content
A graphic designer will be chosen (faculty volunteer(s) to design the catalog. A Photographer will be chosen (faculty volunteer(s) to photograph work, or faculty can submit their own photographs of work. The faculty profiles should be edited for consistency. The catalog should be published and distributed before the end of spring 2009.
Objective
Student Recruiting And Program Marketing
Distribute Departmental Brochures and Flyers to Regional High Schools and the SHSU Visitors Center.
Indicator
Distribution Of Brochures
Departmental brochures were mailed to High Schools throughout Texas and distributed at Saturday at Sam. Over 1000 flyers for the Computer Animation program were sent to the Visitor Center and Recruitment office.
Action
Continue To Advertise
Continue to update the departmental brochure and to distribute it. Continue to print and distribute the Computer Animation Flyer. Consider promoting other individual programs.