Art Majors

Requirements for Art Majors

Monthly Meetings
There will be  a monthly meeting where students will have the opportunity to discuss their work with others, get feedback from the professor, research transfer schools, job opportunities and exhibitions.
Digital Portfolio

Students should keep a digital portfolio of all artworks you create while at Cleveland State. Although your professor may take photos of you work, students are ultimately responsible for photographing their work and ensuring that those photographs are good quality. When photographing your work, make sure the lighting is appropriate, there are no distractions in the background. This will be the only way most people will see your work so take your time. Take photos of both finished and unfinished work. A smartphone is fine for unfinished or in progress works but a high end digital camera should be used for finished pieces.

You should also consider building a website to showcase your work. There are multiple free platforms available that seem to change everyday. One of the most used is WordPress, which is free and fairly easy to use.

Transfer Schools
There will be planned trips to regional transfer schools where students will have the opportunity to engage with faculty and other art students to determine if that school would be a good fit. Students will also research various schools to determine what majors are available and if the school will meet their needs.

Job Research
During our monthly meetings students will discover various avenues for employment opportunities and the qualifications needed for those jobs. Students will be encouraged to research internship opportunities in the area.

Exhibitions
First semester art majors are expected to enter 1 off campus exhibition. Second semester and sophomore art majors are expected to enter 3 off campus exhibitions. All art majors are also expected to enter at least one work into the end of year student exhibition.

College Art Association Exhibitions
New York Fine Arts Exhibitions
Athens Area Council for the Arts

Gallery Visits
Art majors should try to visit several galleries a semester. These are great opportunities to see the work of professional artists as well as network.

Portfolio Presentations
Students are required to put together a digital portfolio for each class that will then be presented to the group at the end of the semester. Presentations should be 5 – 10 minutes and should focus on concepts as well as technique.