Department of Fine Arts

After official admission to IPFW, please call the Fine Arts Department chair at 260-481-6705 to schedule an advising session. The bachelor degree programs begin with a sequence of foundation drawing and design courses. After the sophomore year, students submit a portfolio of selected creative work for review. When the faculty approves admission to a four-year degree program, advanced work in a chosen area of concentration may begin. 

100 Level Foundation Portfolio Review Checkpoint

Students in all of the Department of Fine Arts programs will submit a portfolio of 100 level Foundation studio work to be reviewed by Department of Fine Arts faculty. The review is a checkpoint to assure that students have met adequate quality standards in the Foundation program. The portfolio should consist of 12-15 works, with at least two works from each 100 level Foundation course. Upon a satisfactory portfolio review, students will continue in 200 level Fundamentals studio classes. Some students may be asked to re-take Foundation classes to attain department standards. Criteria for successful review of student work will:

• Show a visual understanding of the representational drawing of volume and pictorial space with an understanding of linear perspective. 
• Show the ability to compose aesthetic element of line, tone/value, shape, texture, color, and 3D form in space.

200 Level B.F.A. and B.A. Art Education Portfolio Review

Each student must submit a portfolio of 200 level work to attain formal acceptance into the B.F.A program. Each petitioning student must apply to present their work with the Department of Fine Arts office in the semester in which they complete all 200 level Fundamentals classes listed above.  Each student applying for acceptance into the B.F.A. program will declare their area of studio concentration, i.e. painting, sculpture, with the understanding that areas of art can be interdisciplinary and flexible. The portfolio should consist of 15-20 works, with at least two works from each 200 level Fundamentals course. Consideration of work will be given in accordance to each student’s intended concentration area. i.e., printmaking majors should be able to show strong drawing skills. It is highly recommended that students seek faculty advice, especially from faculty whose area they are intending to apply, on which works to submit for review. Faculty evaluations will be based on a student’s exceptional knowledge and skills in:

 

• Demonstrating technical and aesthetic understanding (for the 200 level) of your chosen major; i.e. drawing, ceramics, metalsmithing, painting, printmaking, or sculpture.
• For 2D majors: drawing, painting, printmaking as well as the demonstration of competence and serious investigation in 3D media.
• For 3D majors: ceramics, metalsmithing, and sculpture with competence and serious investigation in 2D media.

 

Senior Project

The Senior Project is a two-semester course during the senior year. Students must be signed into these classes by the Chair of the Department of Fine Arts. During this year, students will be part of at least three departmental critiques of their work. Each student will be asked to partake in discussions of other student’s work during the critiques. Students will also be asked to be part of seminars, attend visiting artist’s lectures and demonstrations, visit exhibitions, and present and express ideas about their art work to other seniors. Seniors must also work closely with a full- time department faculty member as an advisor in their concentration area. Evaluations of senior work will be based on the following criteria:

• Body of original and ambitious work
• Evidence of depth of thought
• Evidence of research
• Keeping abreast of new developments in the field
• Sufficient technical virtuosity
• Ability to explain ideas as they pertain to your work
• Participation in all departmental senior events
• Professional Attitude