Skip to Main Content

Department of Visual Arts

The mission statement of the Department of Visual Arts is to prepare servant leader visual art students for a professional career in the visual arts and to offer avenues of creative fulfillment for all students of the university. This aim is to be accomplished through the pursuit of excellence and artistic achievement within a Christian context.

The goals of the visual art program are to enable the students to develop skills and understanding in the foundations and principles of art, gain knowledge of historical and contemporary art, develop aesthetic judgment, and creatively produce and use their artistic abilities on the basis of mature Christian ethics.

Offering a wide variety of work areas, the program provides practical experience in commercial art, digital photography, graphic design, studio art, and internships. The program also maintains a permanent collection of outstanding works by students. In addition to student art shows, professional artworks and professional artists are also featured.

The goals for those granted a bachelor's degree in the visual arts are:

Educational Goals

To enable students to:

  • Cultivate a broad knowledge of the history and visual arts fundamentals.

  • Gain knowledge and experience in two- and three-dimensional art.

  • Develop a workable knowledge of various art fields so the student can develop artistically as well as make a living.

  • Present a portfolio and senior exhibition at the highest artistic level possible.

Ministry Goals

To enable students to:

  • Prepare with how to deal with challenges in art and culture without compromising faith.

  • Have opportunities to experience and share ideas on how to use art in Christianity and society.

  • Establish a servant leadership presence within the Christian and secular art world.

Jury of Artwork and Portfolio Review. Art students will develop a portfolio of work over the course of their study at DBU. The portfolio will be received for review before the senior exhibit is to be presented. The exhibit should exemplify quality, good judgment and taste that is consistent with DBU's Christian message and the Department of Visual Arts mission statement. It is essential to continuously prepare the portfolio with samples of the best work to show potential clients, art directors, agencies, and any person interested in your work.

Critiques and Exhibits. Critique sessions throughout the course of study will enable the student to share work with other class members and participate in discussion regarding artwork. Constructive criticism and positive, helpful observations will be shared with one another. Selected work should be completed, neatly presented, and prepared for exhibition.

Internship in Art. This is designed to give the student actual field experiences in art. Through the professional cooperation of area art agencies, museums, galleries, studios, and schools, the student will report to a place of employment for a minimum of 150 hours per semester over a 15-week period. This opportunity gives the student a transitional experience between academics and the reality of the work environment in the specialized areas of art in which he/she is considering for a career.

Senior Solo Exhibition. Each graduating senior is required to present a Senior Show of original artwork, digital portfolio, and an Artist Talk. It should exemplify the best efforts in excellence in every aspect. All art should be carefully selected, prepared, and presented. The work presented may be from any phase of your life as long as it is original. One artwork is to be given to the Art Department for the permanent collection.

Art Scholarships. Art scholarships require the application form, letters of recommendation, portfolio review, and interview. They are based on art demonstration, future potential, commitment to the Department of Art, and need.

MINOR IN ART

See information about the Art minor here.

(S-L)=Course(s) with field-based service-learning component.