FineArt

Collection Development Policy: Fine Arts

Subject Librarian: Scott Shoger

Purpose of Policy

The collection development policy for Fine Arts guides the development and management of the general art, studio art, graphic design, and photography collections.

Program Description

The Fine Arts Program offers students choices of three degrees -- a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), a Bachelor of Art in Fine Arts, and a Bachelor of Art Education (BA). All the degrees are built on a fundamental core of courses in drawing, two- and three-dimensional design, and art history. For the BFA program, areas of advanced study include drawing and painting, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design and photography.

Courses

Drawing, 2-D, 3-D, computer art and design, web design, graphic design, advanced lettering and typography, printmaking (general, intaglio, lithography, silkscreen), sculpture (using terra cotta, welding, wood, blacksmithing, sculptural glass casting), photography, video art, book arts, digital imaging, page layout, Photoshop, painting (including water color and pastel), ceramics, metalsmithing and jewelry design, hand papermaking.

Areas of Established Specialization

None.

Changes in User Population for the Most Recent Five Years

• Graphics design courses were moved in spring 2015 to the Fine Arts from Integrated New Media
• A degree in Art Education was added in fall 2014
• Art History courses are no longer part of the Fine Arts Department. They are now designated under AHST in the Course Bulletin and taught by faculty in History and Women’s Studies.
• Ceramics is currently taught off-site. If it moves to campus, there may be greater interest for materials in this area.

New and Expanding Areas of Interest

Art education, which includes community-based art outreach programs and public art.

Degrees Offered

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree emphasizes the development of skills in three or more studio areas with a general education curriculum. The Bachelors of Fine Arts (BFA) includes advanced study areas in drawing and painting, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design and photography. Studio minors are also offered in these concentrations as well.

The Bachelor of Art Education prepares students to teach art in public or private schools. This degree combines art practices with education courses necessary for successful teaching practice. There is an emphasis on technology and visual culture in order to prepare teachers fully skilled to operate effectively with 21st century learners.

A minor in photojournalism is also available, which is cross-listed with Communication Studies. The History Department offers a minor in Art History as well.

Clientele

The primary clientele are students, faculty, and staff in Fine Arts, along with participants in the common core courses in Art, Aesthetics, and Creativity, Integrated New Media, Art History, Education and Communications Studies. The collection also supports faculty and students in other disciplines who engage with visual materials in their curriculum. A secondary purpose of the Fine Arts collection is to support cultural and recreational interests of the community at large.

Scope and Collection Guidelines

Emphasis is placed on acquiring materials that directly support the curriculum in the Fine Arts department. These include works on new and contemporary art and artists, art methods and production, and the teaching of art. Also of interest are works on art as a profession.

Formats Collected

Scholarly monographs (well-illustrated), graphic novels, serials, electronic resources (particularly those that are image-based) and media are collected.

Formats Excluded

• Pamphlets
• Newsletters
• Article reprints
• Required textbooks
• Sales and auction catalogs
• Slides, photographs, and reproductions of works of art
• Popular coffee table and how-to books are generally not acquired.

Language

The collection is primarily in English.

Geographic Coverage

All geographic areas are covered.

Chronological Periods Collected

Priority is given to current publications and contemporary artists. Older imprints are collected selectively, usually as replacements for classic works, or upon request.

Subject Emphases

None, other than the previously mentioned areas of drawing and painting, sculpture, printmaking, graphic design and photography.

Current Collecting Priorities

Materials and techniques in drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, printmaking, graphic and web design, teaching of art, contemporary artists, anatomy for artists, and art as a profession.

Subjects Collected Selectively

Decorative arts, ceramics, mechanical drawing, industrial or interior design, crafts, fibers/weaving/textiles, fashion design, architecture, museum practices, special techniques (e.g., silverpoint), conservation, and art appraisal.

Reference

Reference materials are selected by the Fine Arts subject librarian following the general subject parameters of the collection policy.

Interdisciplinary Considerations

Multidisciplinary works that are of interest to other disciplines may be selectively acquired.

Location

Fine Art materials are housed in the Schurz Library under the following Library of Congress classification system:

• N - Visual Arts
• NB - Sculpture
• NC - Drawing. Design. Illustration
• ND - Painting
• NE - Print Media
• NK - Ceramics (3700 – 4695)
• NX - Arts in General
• TR - Photography (except TR845-899 – cinematography)

Many resources are available electronically through the library’s website and subject guide for Arts.

1/2016; vdb