Art
Elena Baskin Visual Arts Studios
Room E-104
(831) 459-2272
visart@ucsc.edu
http://art.ucsc.edu
Program Description
The Art Department offers an integrated program of study in theory and practice exploring the power of visual communication for personal expression and public interaction. The department provides students with the means to pursue this exploration through courses that provide the practical hands-on learning skills for art production in a variety of media within the contexts of critical thinking and broad-based social perspectives.
The art program at UCSC is composed of courses in drawing, animation, painting, photography, sculpture, print media, intermedia, critical theory, electronic art, public art, environmental art, social art practice, and interactive technologies. Baskin visual arts studios provide world-class facilities for art production in these areas. The Art Department is committed to pursuing a continuing dialogue about what constitutes basic preparation in the arts while offering students experience in established practices, new genres, and new technologies.
Students graduating with a major in art may become professional artists or pursue careers in such diverse areas as arts administration, arts management, museum education, art direction, communication design, web design, digital imaging, curating, art education, multi-media specialist, industry consultant, model maker, and publishing. Many students who want to teach at the college level continue their education in graduate school.
Art Undergraduate Program Learning Outcomes
Students who earn a B.A. in art will gain the skills, knowledge, and understanding that will enable them to:
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demonstrate proficiency in a range of techniques and media;
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demonstrate the ability to imagine, create, and resolve a work of art;
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demonstrate communication through familiarity with and ability to analyze, both verbally and in writing, issues and forms of contemporary art with a clear understanding of historical precedents; and
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demonstrate critical thinking through the ability to articulate an insightful response and analysis of a work of art in order to participate in discussions and studio critiques.
Declaration of the Art Major—Frosh
Students may apply for admission to the art major after completing two of the following: Art 10D, Art 10E, or Art 10F. While completing this lower-division coursework, it is critical that each student meet with a faculty adviser regarding the student’s potential to proceed to the major level.
Declaration of the Art Major—Junior Transfer Students
Junior transfer students are accepted into the art major for fall quarter after passing a portfolio review in early April. Their acceptance is contingent upon their acceptance to UCSC. Acceptance to UCSC does not guarantee admittance to the art program, nor does passing the portfolio review guarantee that UCSC will accept the student to the university. Transfer students must identify themselves as potential art majors when applying to the university in order to receive information on the portfolio review deadlines and the materials required for the review. All junior transfers will be required to take Art 194, Forms and Ideas in their junior year at UCSC in lieu of the first-year foundation program requirements. Junior transfer students must pass the portfolio review and be admitted to UCSC to become art majors. If a student is admitted to UCSC and does not pass the Art Department portfolio review, it is imperative that this student pursue another major upon admittance. Students will be notified of the results of the review before they need to submit their Statement of Intent to Register for UCSC.
Requirements of the Art Major
The minimum requirements for art majors who were admitted to UCSC in their frosh year are completion of eight lower-division and eight upper-division courses and satisfaction of the senior comprehensive requirement. Junior transfer students complete five lower-division and eight upper-division courses and their senior comprehensive requirement. A maximum of three courses total from outside the Art Department (including UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) courses) may be substituted for regular art courses with the approval of a major adviser. In courses taken outside the UCSC Art Department, students must have received a grade of B or higher. Students should plan carefully when using this option.
Students plan their course of study in consultation with a faculty adviser.
Lower-Division Requirements
Students complete eight courses as follows:
The Foundation (15 credits required, 10 credits must be from the 10 series)
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10D, 2D Foundation
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10E, 3D Foundation
- 10F, 4D Foundation
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and one course from the Art 80 series.
Introduction to Contemporary Art Practice (15 credits required)
Student complete three courses from the following:
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20G, Introduction to Print Media and Drawing
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20H, Introduction to Sculpture and Public Art
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20I, Introduction to Photography
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20J, Introduction to Drawing and Painting
- 20K, Introduction to Digital Media
Students complete two courses from History of Art and Visual Culture (HAVC): one in Western art and culture and one in non-Western art and culture.
Note: Students may use Advanced Placement (AP) in Art History in lieu of the Western-emphasis history of art and visual culture requirement.
Upper-Division Requirements
Students complete eight courses as follows:
Studio Work (35 credits required)
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Seven upper-division (100+ numbered) studio courses (of which Art 190B may be one);
Senior Capstone/Comprehensive Requirement
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190A, Writing for Artists (meets the Disciplinary Communication requirement for the Art B.A.); and
- One of the following options:
- Completing Art 190B: Senior Project; or
- Presenting an exhibition and, by appointment, meeting with a faculty member for review and critique of the exhibition; or
- Submitting a portfolio and, by appointment, meeting with a faculty member for review and critique of the portfolio.
Senior majors should meet with their faculty adviser about this requirement.
A total of 80 credits are required for the Art B.A.; students are advised to plan in advance if they are interested in the program. Some requisite courses may be offered during Summer Session.
The last three quarters of coursework for the major must be completed in residence at UCSC.
Art Major Planner (Incoming Frosh)
The following is a recommended academic plan for students to complete during their first two years as preparation for the art major.
| Year | Fall | Winter | Spring |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st (frsh) | ART 10 series** | ART 10 series** | ART 10 series** |
| ART 80 series† | |||
| 2nd (soph) | ART 20 series | ART 20 series | ART 20 series |
| HAVC* | HAVC* | ||
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†ART 80 courses may be taken in fall, winter, or spring (one required) |
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Lower-Division Requirements (Junior Transfers)
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Three lower-division studios (equivalent to those found in the above list) should be taken at the community college, college, or university in preparation for the mandatory portfolio review prior to acceptance to the art major. Please remember that three studios is a minimum requirement and may not be enough studio work undertaken to pass the highly competitive nature of the portfolio review.
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Two courses from history of art and visual culture may be taken at the community college, college, or university, if available, or at UCSC (one with a Western emphasis, one with a non-Western emphasis).
Upper-Division Requirements (Junior Transfers)
Students complete eight courses as follows (40 credits required):
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Art 194, Forms and Ideas;
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Six upper-division (100+ numbered) studio courses (one of which may be Art 190B, Senior Project)
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Art 190A, Writing for Artists
The last three quarters of coursework for the major must be completed in residence at UCSC.
Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement
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Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) requirement. The DC requirement in art is satisfied by completing Art 190A, Writing for Artists
Comprehensive Requirement
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All art majors satisfy the capstone/comprehensive requirement with 190A, Writing for Artists; and
- One of the following options:
- Completing Art 190B: Senior Project; or
- Presenting an exhibition and, by appointment, meeting with a faculty member for review and critique of the exhibition; or
- Submitting a portfolio and, by appointment, meeting with a faculty member for review and critique of the portfolio.
Senior majors should meet with their faculty adviser about this requirement.
Study Abroad
The UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) offers students the opportunity for study abroad. Art majors may participate in EAP in their junior year. Art students may not go abroad in their senior year because the last three quarters of coursework must be in residence at UCSC. When considering attending EAP, the student should be mindful that only three courses may be substituted in the art major and each must receive a grade of B or better.
Materials Fee
Art students should be aware of the materials fee required for some studio courses. The fee is billed to the student’s account for specific course materials purchased by the Art Department through the university. Fees generally range from $5 to $150 per course. Students may incur additional expense purchasing individual supplies.
Revised: 09/01/17
