The Career
Artists are those who:
- Act on their imagination
- Are creatively inspired from within
- Perform with exceptional insight and skill
Artists communicate feelings, emotions, ideas and thoughts through visual images. They use a wide variety of methods, styles and materials including clay, plaster, metals, oils, watercolors, acrylics, pastels, pencils, ink and computers. Artistic works may be realistic, naturalistic, stylized, abstract or even non-objective. They may depict objects, people, nature or events. Artists respond to those things, making work that engages viewers in many different ways.
Employment Opportunities
Artists are found in a variety of occupations:
- Teacher/professor
- Professional artist
- Art agent, consultant or historian
- Art director
- Conservator
- Public relations specialist (museum or art gallery)
- Archivist registrar (museum) or curatorial assistant
- Art therapist
- Writer/critic
- Art transporter, handler or supply salesperson
- Framer
- Medical illustrator
- Photographer or print maker
- Multimedia artist or graphic designer
- Animator or illustrator
- Exhibit designer
Professional Traits
AFA graduates should demonstrate these art-specific tasks and ECC’s Common Learning Objectives:
- Be ethical and socially responsible
- Have strong written/verbal communication skills
- Be able to think critically and creatively to solve problems and advance solutions
- Demonstrate proficiency in the basic materials, techniques and principles of art and design
- Understand major historic art works, styles they represent and their current significance to artists
- Discuss and analyze issues facing today’s art world
- Select and prepare artwork for exhibition
- Document their artwork
- Prepare a comprehensive portfolio that demonstrates artistic competence
The Program
This degree plan, specifically articulated through the University of Missouri-St. Louis, is designed for those wishing to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Assuming appropriate placement scores, it is a two-year degree consisting of the 43-credit hour general education core, with flexibility to customize it toward the student’s chosen career.
The AFA degree allows students to complete a series of fine arts foundations courses (drawing, design, art history and in-depth studio experience) and develop in a variety of media. The program culminates with the student-compiled art portfolio. While it is often pursued by future baccalaureate candidates, the program also lays the groundwork for lifelong artistic growth and builds a solid skill set for those who seek employment with the AFA.
Students in the East Central College Art Department have the opportunity to take part in Art Gallery exhibitions, visiting artist workshops, and Art Club activities. The club brings art and related projects to the campus and college service area, and provides community service.
Students may also travel abroad with the Art Club for enrichment purposes. Students are also encouraged to take part in the programming provided by the other departments within the ECC Fine and Performing Arts Division. These include the Speaker and Film series, theatre productions and ECC music performances.
ECC also offers an Associate of Arts in Studio Art .
Admission Requirements
Students must have completed:
- High school diploma or the equivalent (documentation sent to the registration office)
- Application for admission
- A placement test as specified by the college (please note: some coursework requires minimum placement results)
Transfer Options
Many of the credits, particularly the general education electives earned with this degree, are accepted as transfer credits by four-year colleges and universities. Transferring credit is decided solely by the bachelor degree-granting institution.
Students should communicate often with their faculty advisors and the East Central College transfer advisor. They should also make early contact with the four-year institution of their choice regarding the transferability of ECC credits and coursework.
Accreditation
East Central College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
800-621-7440
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