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 these things, making work that engages viewers in many different ways.
Employment Opportunities
- Teacher/professor
- Professional artist
- Art agent, consultant or historian
- Entrepreneur
- Conservator
- Curatorial assistant
- Public relations specialist (museum or art gallery)
- Archivist registrar (museum)
- Art therapist
- Writer/critic
- Art transporter, handler or supply salesperson
- Framer
- Medical illustrator
Professional Traits
Graduates should demonstrate these art-specific tasks and ECC’s Common Learning Objectives:
- Be ethical and socially responsible
- Be able to communicate effectively in a written and verbal manner
- Be able to think critically and creatively to solve problems and advance solutions
- Show proficiency in the basic materials, techniques and principles of art and design
- Understand major historic art works, the styles they represent and their significance for artists today
- Discuss and analyze major issues facing today’s art world
- Select and prepare artworks for exhibition
- Document their artwork
- Prepare a comprehensive portfolio that shows competence in all areas of art foundations
The Program
The curriculum is intended for students planning to transfer to a four-year institution that offers programs in art education, art history or 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 ECC studio art degree plan emphasizes the humanities, art history and visual art fundamentals. Working closely with their faculty advisor, students may choose from a broad list of art-related electives, keeping in mind the specific requirements of transfer institutions in their intended area of specialization.
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 college music performances.
ECC also offers an Associate of Fine Arts degree.
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 seeking to transfer 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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