Overview
What is Art & Design?
The Art & Design program at Keene State College provides a strong foundation in Ceramics, Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture, and Graphic Design. Students can earn their B.A. and B.F.A. degrees in Studio Art and Graphic Design, a Dual B.F.A. in both Studio Art and Graphic Design, as well as minors in Studio, Graphic Design, and Arts Management.
Why Study Art & Design at Keene State College?
At Keene State College, students experience small class sizes, elite studios, and a faculty consisting of working artists and designers. Our unique location in southern New Hampshire provides an idyllic rural campus and close proximity to cultural centers such as Manchester, Boston, and New York City.
Program Options
At Keene State, you can earn a BA in art (either graphic design or studio art), a BFA in art (graphic design, studio art, or art and design), or a studio art minor.
BA, Studio Art option.
The studio art option introduces and fosters the individual development of six major areas of study:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Photography
- Ceramics.
Throughout introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses, a balance of theoretical and technical knowledge is emphasized. The studio art option is designed to enable you to focus on one of these areas.
BA, Graphic Design option. Graphic designers transform communication concepts into visual language using images and typography. The graphic design option provides you with a foundation in the theory and practice of graphic design.
BA, Arts Management Specialization
BA, Studio Art or Graphic Design option. If you have a knack for leadership and a love of visual arts and design, the Arts Management specialization may be for you. Arts Management provides you with the skills necessary to provide quality leadership in the business aspects of arts organizations. Through an interdisciplinary curricular approach, you gain a broad perspective, discipline-specific knowledge, and practical hands-on experience in arts management.
Students interested in the Arts Management specialization must declare a BA in either the Studio Art or Graphic Design Option.
BFA, Graphic Design option.
This major provides you with a comprehensive understanding of graphic design by facilitating the development of their conceptual, aesthetic, technical and collaborative skills in the context of practical problem-solving experiences. As a student in the graphic design program, you will create printed and electronic communication that includes: web sites, illustration, corporate logos and identity systems; posters; publications; packaging; exhibitions; animation; and mobile media applications.
[BFA, Studio Art option.]https://catalog.keene.edu/bachelors-degree-programs/art-design-bfa/)
This option introduces and fosters the individual development of six major areas of study:
- Drawing
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Photography
- Ceramics.
All accepted candidates mount a BFA solo thesis exhibition as a graduation requirement.
BFA, Art and Design option.
The BFA in art and design is a combination of studio art and graphic design. This option is designed for motivated students with interest in developing both your graphic design and studio art abilities. The program is designed to meet a variety of needs through art courses in graphic design, art history, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, drawing, and photography. This BFA option provides a foundation in the theory and practice of art and design exploring the creation of images, video, sound, and three-dimensional forms across a broad spectrum of media artifacts. Through the program's breadth and variety, students are encouraged to develop their skills and broaden their knowledge in courses that prepare them for graduate school and a range of careers in graphic design and visual art.
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Career and Other Opportunities
Alumni of Keene State’s art and design programs go on to work as artists and designers, photographers, illustrators, or other fields within the visual arts, including:
- Advertising
- Animation
- Web design
- Art direction
- Administration
- Curation
- Conservation
- Restoration
- Education
- Development
- Public Relations
- Archives
- Historical societies
- Natural history museums
- Living history museums
- Galleries
- Auction houses
Outcomes
Students graduating from Keene State with an art degree develop skills in presentation and concepts, maturing in their artistic ability within the expectations of their chosen option and degree.
KSC helped to unlock an understanding of what art is and does. It created an understanding for how sculpture functions in society while also instilling an understanding of processes and ideas for how artwork can be created."
—Miles Warner '09
Art and Design, B.A., Total Credits: 120
Core Courses
Foundation Experience
Exploration of the concepts, media, and processes of making art. Students engage in a range of individual and collaborative creative projects focused on developing visual literacy, skills-building, and self-expression. Not open to students who have completed IAART 100. Fall.
Introduction to Art History
General survey of the history of art and architecture from the ancient to modern periods. The course will explore the roles of the artist, art patron, and viewer in society, and feature in-depth analysis and contextual interpretation of works from a select number of world cultures, regions, and stylistic traditions. Fall, Spring.
Drawing I
The practice of representational drawing emphasizing linear and form description with drawing media. Develops skills for all students, including Art majors. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. For Art majors only. Fall, Spring
