Fine art majors explore a wide range of media and techniques:
drawing (emphasis on the human form), painting (oil and acrylic), ceramics (wheel throwing and hand building), fiber (papermaking emphasis) and photography (digital and traditional SLR/darkroom) before choosing one medium for focused study. The curriculum in fine art includes four courses in the history of art. Upper level electives, independent study, special topics courses and internships in professional settings provide the fine art major with the flexibility to design much of his or her own curriculum.

Senior Seminar, the capstone experience of the major, includes the organization and installation of a solo exhibition in the Campanella Gallery. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, together with Kansas City’s vibrant Crossroads Art District, provide a stimulating milieu for art students.

Fine art majors can combine work in the School of Education at Park to become certified to teach art (K-12). Academic minors in areas such as marketing, communication or business can extend the professional potential of the degree. Fine art graduates teach, produce work in their studios, pursue graduate degrees or obtain employment in related fields.

Recent highlights: Twenty art and design students and two Park professors spent five weeks studying in Italy in a special topics course: “Drawing on the Renaissance.” Another special topics class produced three murals permanently installed on the campus. A senior honors art major produced an original Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawing #1097 for our underground McAfee Learning Center.

Fine Art Major Course Requirements - 60 Credit Hours

Freshman Core: 15 credit hours

Fine Arts: 33 credit hours
AR 215 Art History I
AR 216 Art History II
AR 241 Photography I
AR 251 Drawing II
AR 260 Painting I
AR 261 Painting II
AR 316 Modern Art
AR 320 Ceramics I
AR 350 Drawing III
AR 370 Fiber I
AR 497 Senior Seminar

AR Electives: 12 credit hours
Students choose a studio discipline to emphasize from among drawing, painting, photography, ceramics or fiber.

Major requirements for a degree program are established by the University catalog at the time the major is declared.

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