Dec 04, 2024  
2019-2020 Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Fine, Digital & Performing Arts


The Department of Fine, Digital, and Performing Arts guides the skills, talents, and understanding of students in order to expand their creative abilities and worldviews. The faculty encourages artistic growth acrross numerous mediums both traditional and digital.  Our programs are structured to respect the many pathways, definitions, and perspectives that lead to artistic success. We believe that the process of acquiring a balanced education facilitates the understanding of individual’s identity, which in turn, forms the core of artistic and academic growth.

The department offers opportunities to study introductory through advanced courses in acting, 3D animation, art education, art history, ceramics, graphic design, digital recording, directing, drawing, game and simulation development arts, illustration, movement, music (traditional and digital), painting, photography, stagecraft, and website design.

Contact Information

Matt Cram, MFA, Chair
mcram@shawnee.edu

Djwana Spradlin, Secretary
dspradlin@shawnee.edu

Department of Fine, Digital, and Performing Arts
Shawnee State University
940 Second Street
Portsmouth, Ohio 45662-4344

Tel: (740) 351-3118
Fax: (740) 351-3418

 

Programs in Fine, Digital, and Performing Arts

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA)

The bachelor of fine arts degree is recognized as the professional degree in the arts. The BFA and the professional portfolios developed through the program may lead students to career opportunities in teaching; digital and interactive design; studio work; or museum, gallery, or corporate curation. The BFA may also offer students the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees to develop their creative and academic abilities.

Majors

Minors

Note: See appropriate section of current catalog for degree requirements.

 

Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree and Requirements

General Education Program (GEP)

All BFA students must complete the 44 semester hour General Education Program plus the senior capstone. The GEP allows students to receive a broad education outside of the major.

Internships

ARTS 4159 may be available for certain BFA concentrations upon approval from the department chair. Information is available from the department secretary or chair.

Senior Show

All students applying for a BFA must participate in a senior gallery exhibit. Information is available from the department secretary or chair.

 

Vern Riffe Center for the Arts

Shawnee State University’s art programs are located in the 100,000 sq. ft. Vern Riffe Center for the Arts, which houses performance spaces as well as studios for art, dance, music, and theater.

Art studios fill most of the east wing of the building with 29 rooms of dramatic natural and artificial light. The first floor houses the Levi Ceramics Suite; the photography suite; the Kahl Studio Theater, a 2,000+ square foot student theater; and nine music studio spaces. The second floor houses the Richards Virtual Listening Studio with a unique infinite baffle speaker system; the Appleton Gallery; and studios for art education, foundations, drawing, digital design, interactive design, digital music, and digital 3D. The third floor has the Howland Recital Hall; the Waller Painting Suite; and five additional studios for theater lighting, design, and printmaking. George C. Izenour and Associates designed the Center’s main theater to seat 1,139 people and to have adjustable acoustics.

Shawnee State University is proud of its state-of-the-art studios that enhance the degree program by offering the latest in lighting, safety, ventilation, and access for physically challenged artists. The north facing window walls offer indirect natural light in most of the arts studio spaces.