The 60 credit hour degree was approved this spring by the Council on Postsecondary Education. Its first courses begin fall 2014. Students in the program can choose to practice in a variety of mediums or narrow in on one method. Courses include ceramics, drawing, fibers, glass, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, design, mixed media, book arts and new media.
“One of the trends we recognize is that the creative community is moving across disciplines,” said Scott Massey, acting chair of the department of fine arts. “Our goal is to provide an opportunity for them to have as deep and as wide of an experience as possible.”
The strength of disciplines including glass arts, graphic design and interior architecture and design will help set UofL’s program apart, Massey said. Those disciplines in particular already attract undergraduate students nationally and internationally.
Students in the program also will have the opportunity to work with local and regional museums and cultural institutions through joint projects or internships. Once each semester, students in the program will travel to a different city in the United States to get a sense of the gallery and arts scene in that area.
The program is selective and incoming classes will be small – three to four students – to ensure that participants have substantial access to studios and faculty members.
“We are holding a very high standard,” Massey said. “We really want to showcase the students who come in for that first group.”
The fall 2014 class is complete, but applications are being accepted for the fall 2015 semester. To find out more, contact Theresa Berbet at tberbet@louisville.edu or 502-852-6147.
