Certificate in
Certificate in Fine Art Academy of Art University
Introduction
The four year certificate program provides students with a disciplined approach to the study of Fine Art. Student portfolios will demonstrate the variety of skills and creativity developed. Graduates enter the field prepared for professional opportunities in Fine Art. Students take electives and art history courses to round out their experience. Unlike the BFA program, students pursuing the Certificate program do not take liberal arts coursework.
Program Outcome
Undergraduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:
Visual Communication
- (Painting & Printmaking) Produce a consistent body of work demonstrating proficiency in a breadth of fine art disciplines
- (Sculpture) Demonstrate understanding of three-dimensional composition, crafting (technical skill), and applying the underlying concepts to the overall sculpted solution.
- (Painting & Printmaking) Demonstrate basic skills in composition
- (Sculpture) Demonstrate basic skills in 3D composition
- (Painting & Printmaking) Demonstrate effective use of color theory
- (Painting) Demonstrate effective use of proportion and gesture
- (Painting) Demonstrate effective use of perspective
- (Painting & Printmaking) Use value effectively when creating form
- (Painting & Printmaking) Use appropriate style and techniques to effectively execute ideas
- (Painting) Apply anatomical knowledge to accurately draw the human form
- Demonstrate craftsmanship and fine attention to detail
- (Sculpture) Develop ideas (concept) that support the overall composition (or construction) of a sculptural form.
- (Sculpture) Devote attention to transitions and effectively solve transition problems
- (Sculpture) Present and light work in gallery-ready form, including designing effective mounting systems
Technical Execution
- (Printmaking) Demonstrate technical proficiency in the six major components of printmaking (etching, lithography, silkscreen, monotype, relief, and book arts)
- (Printmaking) Demonstrate technical proficiency in editioning
- (Sculpture) Execute sculptural solutions with media-specific technical proficiency
Concept Development and Critical Analysis
- Explore and clearly articulate concepts and creative possibilities with a given topic or subject
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the concept and execution of a given artwork
Professional Communication
- Describe work effectively
Professional Readiness
- Produce a professional-standard portfolio of well-crafted artwork demonstrating personal vision
Academy of Art University Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Academy of Art University will demonstrate the ability to:
- Produce a body of work suitable for seeking professional opportunities in their chosen field of art and design.
- Solve creative problems within their field of art and design, including research and synthesis of technical, aesthetic, and conceptual knowledge.
- Communicate their ideas professionally and connect with their intended audience using visual, oral, and written presentation skills relevant to their field.
- Execute technical, aesthetic, and conceptual decisions based on an understanding of art and design principles.
- Evaluate work in their field, including their own work, using professional terminology.
- Recognize the influence of major cultural and aesthetic trends, both historical and contemporary, on art and design products.
- Learn the professional skills and behaviors necessary to compete in the global marketplace for art and design.
Career Opportunities
Academy of Art University offers some of the best training and hands-on experience to help accelerate your fine arts career. We pride ourselves in doing an exceptional job preparing you to excel in your chosen profession. Our degree programs are designed to equip aspiring artists and designers with a comprehensive toolbox of marketable skills that lead to success in the art world.
Commission Artist
Create custom art for clients and collectors as a commission artist. You'll interpret your clients' direction into one-of-a-kind works of art, and express yourself in a highly marketable way.
Curator
As a museum or gallery curator, you'll work as the content specialist in charge of the institution's collection. Interpret the material, organize its exhibition, and provide historical context through materials, catalogs, and labels.
Gallery Artist
Express yourself and contribute to the discourse of culture as a gallery artist. You'll create, show, and sell your work in commercial galleries, and museums and express a unique point of view.
Gallery Owner
Own, manage, maintain, and curate your own collection as a gallery owner. You'll discover new artists, build a clientele base, and organize shows to express a unique point of view.
Master Printer
Print editions as a master printer at a fine arts press or print house. You'll oversee the production and execution of fine art editions and collaborate with artists, printers, and publishers.
Muralist
Show your talent off on a large scale as a professional muralist. You'll work with clients to interpret their direction, budget supplies, and materials, and execute a work of art that satisfies everyone's goals.
Professor
Inspire the next generation of artists as a university art professor. You'll teach students historical, aesthetic, and technical details of developing their unique voice, and help them inspire and engage with the art community.
Sculptor
Dazzle the art world and its most knowledgeable enthusiasts with incredible three-dimensional compositions crafted from classical or cutting-edge materials that best express your unique point of view and serve as unmistakable commentary on the state of your community.
Gallery
Curriculum
Unit Requirements
| Art History | 6 |
| Major | 42 |
| Art by Advertisement | 24 |
| Elective | 12 |
| Core | 36 |
| Total | 120 |
Degree Requirements
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- A minimum grade of C- in all core courses and major courses and the following requirement:
- 2 Art Historical Awareness
Curriculum
Semester 1
- FA 145: Printmaking (Core)
- FND 110A: Analysis of Form A (Core)
- FND 131: Figure Modeling (Core)
- ILL 133: Digital Media: Digital Manipulation (Core)
Semester 2
- FA 110: Still Life Painting 1 (Core)
- FA 241: Book Arts (Art by Advisement)1
Recommended for summer - FND 110B: Analysis of Form B (Major)
- FND 112: Figure Drawing (Core)
Recommended for summer - FND 125: Color and Design (Core)
- LA 117: Survey of Landscape Architecture (Art History)
Semester 3
- FA 121: Intermediate Figure Drawing (Major)
- FA 211: Introduction to Painting: Figure (Core)
- FA 213: Introduction to Anatomy (Core)
- FASCU 234: Head & Figure Sculpture (Major)
Semester 4
- FA 143: Silkscreen 1 (Core)
- FA 213: Introduction to Anatomy (Major)
- FA 224: Composition & Painting (Core)
- FA 227: Fine Arts Heads & Hands (Art by Advisement)
- FA 350: Mural Painting (Major)
Recommended for summer
Semester 5
- FA 350: Mural Painting (Major)
- Non-LA: Non-LA Course (Art by Advisement)
Semester 6
- FA 350: Mural Painting (Major)
- FA 423: Abstract Painting 1 (Art by Advisement)
- FA 493A: Painting Study Abroad, Florence Italy (Art by Advisement)
Recommended for summer - FA 493B: Location Painting in Italy (Elective)
Recommended for summer
Semester 7
- FA 350: Mural Painting (Major)
- FA 424: Techniques of the Masters 1 (Art by Advisement)
- FA 433: Abstract Painting 2 (Art by Advisement)
Semester 8
- FA 348: Paper Sculpture (Elective)
- FA 410: Surrealism, Stylization & Expression 2 (Art by Advisement)
- FA 420: Senior Portfolio Workshop/Professional Practices (Core)
- ILL 493A: Semester Abroad: Artist as Visual Journalist (Elective)
Recommended for summer - ILL 493B: Semester Abroad: Artist as Visual Journalist (Elective)
Recommended for summer - LA 117: Survey of Landscape Architecture (Art History)
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Since Academy of Art University’s art scholarships program was founded over 40 years ago, we have helped over 45,000 aspiring artists and designers pursue their educational goals. Academy of Art University offers a number of innovative and inexpensive ways for first-time students, high school students, and teachers to improve their skills and experience all that we have to offer.
Emerging Artist Scholarship
Aspiring artists and designers looking to go to school in the summer and fall semesters should apply for the Emerging Artist Scholarship, which offers a limited number of awards worth up to $3,000.
Graduate Scholarship
Prospective graduate-level students who need to build their art and design portfolio or improve their career options should take advantage of this amazing scholarship opportunity worth up to $2,000.
Spring Forward Scholarship
Working adults seeking a career upgrade and current college students looking to transfer should take advantage of this amazing scholarship opportunity worth up to $2,000.
Pre-College Programs
The Pre-College Art Experience (PCAE) provides intensive, no-tuition art and design courses to current high school students. Those students receiving passing grades in their PCAE courses can also earn scholarship money toward their undergraduate degree at the Academy of Art.
Specialty Grants & Scholarships
Teacher Grants
The Teacher Grant* provides high school and community college art teachers an opportunity to practice and improve their skills. These full-tuition art scholarships apply toward any regular undergraduate course and are subject to limited availability.
Academy of Art Military Scholarship
The Military Scholarship provides U.S. service members (Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and Coast Guard) an opportunity to start preparing for a career in art and design. This art scholarship applies to any degree-seeking course.
Alumni Tuition Benefit
The Alumni Tuition Benefit supports all returning Academy alumni with a 20% tuition benefit off all courses and or additional degrees/certificates.
Nationwide Scholarship Opportunities
Aspiring and current students can apply for nationwide scholarship opportunities to help continue their education here at Academy Art University. We’ve organized these by application closing date for your convenience. The Chamber of Commerce has created a Best College Scholarships Guide. This guide provides insight into the types of scholarships available, the application process, and how to improve your odds of being awarded a scholarship.
Facilities
English Language Requirements
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