Department of Art and Design

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Purpose

Campbellsville University’s Art and Design Department offers a comprehensive undergraduate program for visual learners in a Christian liberal arts environment. The program prepares students for careers in graphic design, art production, art education, and graduate school for further studies such as studio art, art therapy, art history, arts education, and museum studies. Additionally, the department aims to educate students through a visual art survey course, helping them understand different art periods, cultures, and art languages. The department strives to develop visually literate individuals who can confidently engage with the world.

All students who choose to minor, major, or study an art area must submit a portfolio of their artwork from high school, private lessons, or self-study for digital documentation early in their first semester. Afterward, artwork from ART 101, ART 120, ART 202, and ART 221 will be digitally archived to track progress or lack thereof for accreditation, assessment, and evaluation.

Sophomore Review

Art students must submit a portfolio of work to the Art faculty on the Sophomore Review day(s) scheduled by the faculty. The portfolio must demonstrate the ambition of concept/ideas, growth of craftsmanship/techniques, competency of design, and personal motivation. It must include 12-15 pieces of actual work, along with images captured in an acceptable electronic format. The student must also provide a brief written statement about each work and be able to explain it to the Art faculty.

If a student’s work is not acceptable to pass the sophomore review, they may retake a class to improve their work for a later review in the next semester. However, if students cannot pass two consecutive review sessions, they will be advised to pursue an art minor and switch to a different major. Students must not continue with an art major if they cannot meet the standards outlined in the review process. The goal of this process is to ensure students are fully committed to their craft and have the necessary skills to succeed in their art studies.

Special Requirements

Transfer students must submit to the art faculty samples and portfolios of artwork from previous coursework. It is important to note that if the submitted works do not meet the required standards, the student may be required to repeat specific courses. Students who can show proficiency in art to the Art faculty will be permitted to begin with more advanced courses.

All students who major or minor in art will leave a signed work of art at Campbellsville University during their last semester of attendance.

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