ARTS 497: Senior Project and Exhibition
Prerequisites: ARTS 301 and 6 credit hours of 400-level ARTS in area of specialization
Credit Hours: (3)
The Senior Project Exhibition course will prepare students for showing their work.
Included in this course will be instruction in the installation process, preparing
and researching an artist statement, how to develop a Promotional Package as well
as prepare an exhibition of a focused body of work.
Note(s): Humanistic or Artistic Expression designated course. Students will not receive credit
for ARTS 497 until the successful completion of ARTS 499.
Detailed Description of Course
Senior Studio Project Exhibition is a two-part capstone course in which studio students
will combine knowledge of their discipline with personal interests of subject matter
and content to prepare and create a focused body of work that is matched by their
creative interests and technical proficiencies.
Students will meet regularly throughout both semesters with their selected senior
project instructor to receive input and direction regarding the progress of their
work. The emphasis of this course is the process of art making as it applies to the
Artist statement and intent developed in their Senior Project. In addition, technical
proficiency of process, conceptual development and creative problem solving that arises
from an inquiry into the meaning and value of art will help the student to reach a
mature understanding within their own work.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course combines lecture and studio experiences. 1st semester: 2 hours lecture
& 2 hours lab. 2nd semester: 1hour lecture & 3hours demonstration/critique. Students
will design an exhibition-promotional packet, complete with an artist statement, resume,
on-line portfolio, proposal letter, postcard for exhibition, and etc. This course
will operate primarily as a critique and a self-promotional, preparation course in
which students will receive weekly feedback on their work and related activities,
and start their work for their Senior Exhibition. Studio faculty will provide input
on their specializations as relevant to the goals of the course. Topics such as resume
writing will be done in group sessions; critiques on project plans will be individual.
Having successfully completed this course, the student will have:
1. Created a focused body of work for senior exhibition.
2. Discussed and defended personal work with their instructor and designated committee
3. Written an Artist Statement about their work
4. Developed a Promotional Package for Exhibition purposes
5. Studied and developed necessary skills for the installation process for Exhibition
Students will focus on the Principles of: Production, Presentation, Professionalism,
and Promotion. They will be required to produce the following work:
A focused body of work in keeping with their Senior Project proposal, plus organizational
practices and active attempts to improve and showcase work for exhibition will be
fundamental for the successful completion of this course.
Each student will be responsible for keeping an Artist’s Exhibition Promotional Book
to keep record of submissions to contests/exhibitions, development of promotional
packet, assignments, supplemental class and/or personal reading assignments, and general
analysis of possible employment outlook.
Midterm Artist’s Exhibition Promotional Book will consist of:
Documentation (receipt) of submission to 1-2 exhibition/competition/publication opportunities.
Power Point Presentation of work
Artist Bio, 10 images
Example of a Cover Letter
MS Word résumé,
Work proofs and anything related to your development as an artist,
Final Portfolio consists of:
Documentation of submission to 1-2 exhibition/competition/publication opportunities,
Completed exhibition promotional packet that includes
Press Release, Postcard, resume
Artist Statement
Electronic Portfolio (Power point presentation/ website)
The ultimate aim of this class is to produce focused work for exhibition and to prepare
the student in marketing their work for future employment, graduate school, and etc.
This goal will manifest itself in a group exhibition, a promotional packet and on-line
portfolio.
Student Goals and Objectives of the Course
At the outcome of this class students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate a method of inquiry and experimentation leading to the evolution of
reflective and creative expression in the student’s body of artworks
2. Produce and exhibit a body of work which demonstrates aesthetic awareness and advanced
technical mastery in chosen area of specialization and which meets exhibition criteria
as well as serving as the basis for a B.F.A. portfolio
3. Produce a clear, informed, grammatically correct and concise artist statement which
demonstrates the student understands of artistic and historical influences as well
his or her awareness of how those influences have been changed by the student’s work
Assessment Measures
The following outcomes will be assesed out of a total of 200%:
Focused body of work Competency and high level of artistic sophistication in their work, based on a method of inquiry into the development process of making art.
Artist Statement Of overall grade in articulating the vision of their work with reference to historical and contemporary social context.
Promotional Exhibition Package Of overall grade in clear, well-written, crafted and planned package
Presentation and Installation of Work Of overall grade is based on criteria that includes selection, framing, grouping with focus and lighting.
Review and Approval
March 27, 2012
March 01, 2021