Every visual arts major completes a capstone experience in the fall of their senior year. For most students that means the shared Visual and Performing Arts Capstone, which brings together seniors from across all six programs. Individual studio space is available to visual arts students while enrolled.
Alternative Pathways
Students with specific creative or professional goals may apply to fulfill the capstone requirement through an alternative course. With faculty approval and a formal proposal submitted in the spring of junior year, the following may be considered: Portfolio Development (ARTS 220), Studio Topics (ARTS 234), or Internship (ARTS 298) — each requiring a substantial additional component beyond the standard course scope. Students with a strong focus in interactive media may apply to complete Game Studio (GAME 255) as their capstone, subject to prior coursework requirements and approval from faculty in both programs.
Whatever form it takes, the capstone asks the same thing of every student: define your own creative questions, pursue them rigorously, and present the work to an audience.
Honors
Successful completion of the capstone with a grade of B or better is a prerequisite for ARTS 289: Senior Thesis. Students with departmental approval may elect to undertake a senior thesis project culminating in an exhibition of original work in Clark’s Schiltkamp Gallery.
Senior thesis meetings are devoted to discussion, presentation, and critique. Creative work is undertaken independently, with regular individual review sessions with faculty, and presented and defended before a faculty committee at the end of the year.
Enrollment does not guarantee honors — that decision is made by the faculty committee following the formal defense. Credit for the coursework is awarded regardless of the outcome.
Students interested in honors should begin conversations with their faculty advisor in the spring of junior year.
