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Department of Art

The Department of Art is accredited by National Schools of Art and Design.

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The William Paterson University Department of Art teaches students visual literacy within a broad cultural and historical context. The department provides students the opportunities to explore self-expression and scholarship, build knowledge and acquire skills, and develop an understanding of how creativity is articulated through fine art and design. Our purpose is to empower students with lives rich in artistic expression and professional achievement that will contribute to a diverse and democratic society.

Learn more about each of our programs:

  • BA in Studio Art
  • BA in Art History
  • BFA in Fine Art
  • Minor in Visual Communications
  • Minor in Art Studio
  • Minor in Art History
  • MFA in Visual Arts

A William Paterson University degree from the art department will prepare you for a career in a variety of exciting creative fields or for graduate study. Our students translate the skills gained in our curriculum and through hands-on experience in internships, exhibitions, study abroad, and publications opportunities into real world employment and success. Our department fosters strong mentorships between students and professors in every area and level of study. In addition to attending graduate school to further their studies, graduates have pursued careers in computer animation and computer game design; advertising and graphic and web design; photography, film, and video; certified art education; fine artistry and arts advocacy in galleries and museums; and textile and wallpaper design.

Art Mission Statement

The mission of the William Paterson University Department of Art is to teach our students visual literacy within a broad cultural and historical context. The department provides students the opportunities to explore self-expression and scholarship, build knowledge and acquire skills, and develop an understanding of how creativity is articulated through fine art and design. Our purpose is to empower students with lives rich in artistic expression and professional achievement that will contribute to a diverse and democratic society.

Art - BA Goals

  1. To provide a strong and broad foundation of art, art theory, and art history
  2. To foster knowledge of the language of art to understand and evaluate art and design.
  3. To foster an appreciation and understanding of cultural and global influences.
  4. To provide opportunities to foster imagination, creativity and the clear self-expression of ideas. 
  5. To teach competence using various technologies, research resources and problem-solving techniques. 
  6. To teach the ability to integrate and synthesize concepts through an interdisciplinary approach. 
  7. To teach effective visual/verbal communication and presentation. 
  8. To teach the development of a strong work ethic and professionalism. 
  9. To teach tolerance of diversity and open-mindedness.
  10.  To foster an aptitude to incorporate change, to be flexible and to take risks.
  11.  To foster the ability to take a leadership role and capacity to collaborate with others.
  12.  To foster social responsibility and a sense of community and citizenship. 
  13.  To provide opportunities for sustained personal, artistic and intellectual growth.

Art - BA Student Learning Outcomes

  1. To provide students with an understanding of art theories, principles, methodologies and professional art practices.
  2. To provide instruction in and opportunities for the application of mediums, tools and technologies to the creative solution of problems in art and design.
  3. To teach students how to use visual arts resources for research, analysis and application.
  4. To teach students to work both independently and collaboratively in order to analyze and solve complex visual/conceptual problems.
  5. To train students to evaluate their own work in relation to professional standards.
  6. To provide students with on-going opportunities to create, critique and interpret works of art.
  7. To teach students how to continue to develop and apply what they learn in the studio and classroom.
  8. To foster an understanding of cultural diversity.
  9. To foster the integration of knowledge on all levels of the educational experience.
  10. To cultivate students’ abilities to synthesize their visual and verbal skills.
  11. To provide opportunities for students to prepare for entry-level positions in the visual arts and/or graduate studies.

Art - BFA Goals

  1. To provide a strong and broad foundation of art, art theory, and art history.
  2. To foster knowledge of the language of art to understand and evaluate art and design.
  3. To foster an appreciation and understanding of cultural and global influences.
  4. To provide opportunities to foster imagination, creativity and the clear self-expression of ideas.
  5. To teach competence using various technologies, research resources and problem-solving techniques.
  6. To teach the ability to integrate and synthesize concepts through an interdisciplinary approach.
  7. To teach effective visual/verbal communication and presentation.
  8. To teach the development of a strong work ethic and professionalism.
  9. To teach tolerance of diversity and open-mindedness.
  10. To foster an aptitude to incorporate change, to be flexible and to take risks.
  11. To foster the ability to take a leadership role and capacity to collaborate with others.
  12. To foster social responsibility and a sense of community and citizenship.
  13. To provide opportunities for sustained personal, artistic and intellectual growth.

Art - BFA Student Learning Outcomes

  1. To provide students with an understanding of art theories, principles, methodologies and professional art practices.
  2. To provide instruction in and opportunities for the application of mediums, tools and technologies to the creative solution of problems in art and design.
  3. To teach students how to use visual arts resources for research, analysis and application.
  4. To teach students to work both independently and collaboratively in order to analyze and solve complex visual/conceptual problems.
  5. To train students to evaluate their own work in relation to professional standards.
  6. To provide students with on-going opportunities to create, critique and interpret works of art.
  7. To teach students how to continue to develop and apply what they learn in the studio and classroom.
  8. To foster an understanding of cultural diversity.
  9. To foster the integration of knowledge on all levels of the educational experience.
  10. To cultivate students’ abilities to synthesize their visual and verbal skills.
  11. To provide opportunities for students to prepare for entry-level positions in the visual arts and/or graduate studies.
  12.  To teach students the professional standards of art practice.

Art - MFA Goals

  1. To provide a strong and broad foundation of art, art theory, and art history.
  2. To foster knowledge of the language of art to understand and evaluate art and design.
  3. To foster an appreciation and understanding of cultural and global influences.
  4. To provide opportunities to foster imagination, creativity and the clear self-expression of ideas.
  5. To teach competence using various technologies, research resources and problem-solving techniques.
  6. To teach the ability to integrate and synthesize concepts through an interdisciplinary approach.
  7. To teach effective visual/verbal communication and presentation.
  8. To teach the development of a strong work ethic and professionalism.
  9. To teach tolerance of diversity and open-mindedness.
  10. To foster an aptitude to incorporate change, to be flexible and to take risks.
  11. To foster the ability to take a leadership role and capacity to collaborate with others.
  12.  To foster social responsibility and a sense of community and citizenship.
  13. To provide opportunities for sustained personal, artistic and intellectual growth.

 

Art - MFA Student Learning Outcomes

  1. The student will learn to develop and articulate a plan for the creation and presentation of a cohesive body of work, known as the thesis project.
  2. The student will learn techniques and methods for implementing the plan for the creation and presentation of the thesis project.
  3. The student will develop and articulate an understanding about the relationship of the work created to their personal evolution and contemporary and historical aesthetics.
  4. The student will develop their ability to articulate and produce a written corollary statement that shows a comprehension of the relationship of their personal work to contemporary and historical aesthetics.
  5. The student will gain experience in the creation of a presentation of their work in a venue or setting appropriate to the nature of the work.

Art Department News

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