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Northern Illinois University

School of Art

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Foundations

The Foundation Program provides beginning students with fundamental skills, knowledge and experiences essential to their development as visual arts professionals.

Professional success in the visual arts requires knowledge of past and present accomplishments in the field, an ability to make interdisciplinary connections, and a strong sense of self-direction. Students are encouraged to develop and enhance their technical skills, develop their critical judgement, refine their personal goals, and expand their understanding of history and culture. The curriculum offers an introduction to all of the visual arts professions offered by the School of Art, and helps prepares students to choose an undergraduate course of study.

Goals

Upon succesful completion of the Foundations Program, students will have achieved a professional disposition as demonstrated by:

  • Ability to develop and solve visual problems using various strategies for idea generation;
  • Ability to creatively translate ideas into visual terms using a wide range of art media and processes
  • A capacity to think critically, and write and speak clearly about visual arts;
  • An understanding of the wide range of contemporary and historical visual culture and its role in society;
  • Manifest a work ethic that reflects integrity, teamwork, dedication to professional growth, social responisbility and the confidence to take risks.