Bachelor of Fine Arts,
Bachelor of the Arts
The Bachelor of Fine Arts,
usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for
students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing
arts. A Bachelor of Arts degree is also available.
The Newcomb Art Department
at Tulane University has recently undergone an extensive renovation
in all areas. The Painting and Drawing facilities include four fully
equipped rooms with approximately 1000 square feet of floor space
each. All four rooms have an exceptional ambiance with natural heart
of pine floors, full walls of windows for natural north light and
color balanced lighting to accommodate evening work. A woodshop is
available for stretcher building.
A weekly open model session
is funded by the department for the independent creative pursuits
of all Newcomb art students. The department's art club (TNASA) is
funded by the Student Activities Board and offers the opportunity
for further involvement in a variety of student generated activities
which have included selection and coordination of visiting artists,
group shows and off campus volunteer teaching opportunities.
Course work in the Painting
and Drawing area focuses on the interdependence of technical, perceptual,
formal and conceptual issues. Slide lectures and/or demonstrations
precede most projects. Individual instruction is complemented by group
dialogue with a low student / teacher ratio.
Beginning students
are offered a structured study of the techniques and principles
of representing form in light as well as exploration of two-dimensional
design issues. These beginning studies are coupled with a basic introduction
to historical, conceptual and theoretical concerns to provide a strong
foundation for the development of the student's ability to think creatively
and to critically analyze both process and product.
Intermediate students
are offered courses which stress exploration of a broad
range of materials and approaches. Intermediate painting (ARST 225)
focuses on abstraction as both nature-based and pure with an emphasis
on experimentation. Intermediate painting (ARST 226) stresses glazing
and scumbling techniques with a variety of mediums and vehicles with
an emphasis on illusion.
Advanced level
students continue to sharpen their skills and ideas through
projects with complex and broad based problems that emphasize individual
solutions and personal goals.
