Art

Images and design have a central importance for the conveyance of information and values. Visual literacy is critical to understanding contemporary society, and students possessing this skill are well served not only in the arts, but also in the sciences, politics, education, and business. By developing their visual intelligence, through the analysis and production of images, all liberal arts students expand their cognitive development and competence as professionals.

B.A. in Art

The B.A. in Art is a 42-credit major offered in four concentrations: Graphic Design, Illustration and Animation, Photography, and Studio Art. A shared foundation in Drawing, Color & Design, and the Survey of Western Art forms the basis upon which to build a curriculum in the chosen discipline. A capstone Senior Art Seminar with a Senior Thesis exhibition concludes the major. The flexibility and design of the program encourage students to concentrate in more than one area.

MMC provides students with a unique approach to the study of Art. The program integrates art theory and studio practice within the framework of a liberal arts curriculum. Small class sizes and individual attention from faculty foster close academic interactions and encourage students to achieve their creative and scholarly goals. The unsurpassed resources of New York City add immediacy, richness, and breadth to visual studies. Students work with able and committed professionals who stress individual and innovative instruction. Faculty often accompany students to artists’ studios and to cutting-edge contemporary art galleries.

In Graphic Design, students develop a visual language to problem solve and communicate content using images and text. In Illustration and Animation students are given tools to develop concepts for constructing compelling visual narratives with both analog and time-based digital technologies. In Photography, students create, explore, and analyze images utilizing traditional and contemporary media. In Studio Art, students develop a personal artistic vision through the exploration of techniques and styles in painting, drawing, design, printmaking, ceramics, and multi-media.

All students at the College may minor in any of the Art concentrations as well as Art Therapy, Arts Management, and Arts for Communities. Furthermore, multidisciplinary studies are available through courses that integrate art with dance, theatre, communication arts, the humanities, politics, psychology, and business.

Art majors and minors study with faculty who are professional artists and exhibit their work in galleries and museums throughout the United States and internationally.

Enhanced Learning Opportunities and Careers for Art Majors

Graduates with a degree in Art will find themselves well equipped for a variety of career opportunities and well prepared for study on the graduate level. As part of a small, liberal, creative and performing arts college in New York City—the premiere center for art, design, and museum culture in the United States—students take full advantage of the professional opportunities in the metropolitan area through internships in galleries, auction houses, design studios, advertising agencies, publishing houses, and many other businesses. Recent locations of internships include the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, Clampart Gallery, Paul Kasmin Gallery, Godel & Co. Fine Art, YM Magazine, Teen Vogue, Martha Stewart, the International Center of Photography, Philips de Pury & Company, Christie’s, Sotheby’s, The Guggenheim Museum, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, and The Rubin Museum of Art.

The resources of the Art and Art History Department include a full studio environment accommodating painting, drawing, and printmaking; professional ceramics and photography labs; a Macintosh design lab inclusive of a full suite of print, web, and 3-D animation design software; a recently upgraded Art History teaching environment; and a professional art gallery.

The Hewitt Gallery of Art

The Hewitt Gallery of Art showcases student artwork. It is also a venue for professional artists to exhibit their work, providing MMC students with the experience of meeting and connecting to the urban art community. Students gain firsthand experience in organizing and curating exhibits with the gallery director and guest professionals. Faculty and students often discuss the exhibitions in courses. The gallery hosts 8-10 exhibitions during the academic year, including the annual Junior and Senior Thesis shows and the Alumni Art and Art Faculty Exhibitions.

Division:	Fine and Performing Arts
Division Office:	Nugent Hall, Theatre Office
Office Phone:	212-774-0760
Division Chair:	Katie Langan, B.A. klangan@mmm.edu
Art Studio Manager/Office Coordinator:	Alex Peterson