Our mission is to provide a diverse core of foundational art history courses which help students achieve the following: 1. fulfill General Education requirements 2. prepare art history and studio art majors for advanced study at 4-year institutions of higher learning 3. prepare art history and studio art majors for arts related careers 4. promote an appreciation for, and comprehensive understanding of, our rich cultural heritage as expressed through great art and architecture.
We offer an AA-T Degree in Art History, encompassing curricula in the history of art useful for art majors and for students from other majors who are seeking to fulfill general education and multicultural competency requirements for their degrees and for transfer to 4-year colleges. Our course offerings are as follows: ART 1 Art Appreciation ART 2 Art History Survey I (Prehistoric through Medieval) ART 3 Asian Art History Survey ART 4 Art History Survey II (Renaissance through Modern) ART 5 Survey of Modern Art ART 6 Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Native Americas These courses are taught by two fulltime faculty members and 3-5 parttime faculty members. Courses are offered on the main campus, the Chico Center, and the Glenn Center.
The team noted that the last Validation Team review called for two new full-time faculty positions. Since that time, three full-time and several experienced associate faculty have left. It is clear that despite the limited institutional resources, the number of full-time faculty should be increased to sustain the future of the department. While multiple areas of need are recognized, particularly striking was a lack of full-time faculty in 3D areas. Ceramics and Sculpture do have skilled associate faculty, but a full-time faculty will provide forward-thinking leadership for these large and quite complex programs. Recognizing other departmental faculty needs, a General Education Area C-rooted faculty could be sought who has additional expertise in the Art Academic areas, specifically Art History. Of particular importance to the overall health of the department would be the reinstatement of staff positions to prior levels. Lab tech support staff positions should be returned to previous levels to permit all the deferred maintenance that builds up during the school year.
We have reinstated the Secretary III role to 12-month. We need to eventually hire an additional full-time instructor in the art academic area.
• As the Background Statement of the Art Department’s 2014 Program Review rightly states, “Art has been an integral part of human culture for over 30,000 years” (p. 1) and it remains essential by reinforcing our “shared beliefs and values” (p. 2), increasing our “empathy” (p. 3) and reinforcing our “social bonds” (p. 3). Because of the Arts’ central importance in human development and behavior, it is extremely disheartening to see the cuts and restrictions Butte’s Art Department has suffered in recent years. Therefore, it is the Validation Team’s recommendation that the Art Department be allowed to expand its course offerings (which are also profitable for the college). It is also the team’s recommendation that creative solutions be sought to somehow address students’ needs for skills development in Studio Arts classes given current, inappropriate state-mandated limits on repeatability of classes.
We are endeavoring to add courses as the college experiences lower-than-anticipated enrollments. In the past, we have been met with resistance by an administration focused on classes perceived as more central to the “completion agenda”. With enrollments continuing to decline, threatening the financial well-being of the college, the climate may be changing in favor of allowing the arts to grow and flourish once more
• We recommend that the Art Department review what is in the catalog currently on page 117 for the Arts major requirements. Most of what is listed is aligned with Chico State, our biggest transfer destination; yet, the page does not reflect what is currently on assist.org for many majors.
We are now relying more on our AA-T degrees in Art History and Studio Art
• The Validation Team recommends that the Art Department discuss and agree to the use of a standard departmental name. Clearly denote the “programs” included within the Art Department. Ensure that signage on Art Department doors and walls, promotional materials and student advisement documents reflect the official organizational structure and name of this department.
We are using the title “ARTS”. This includes Art Academic, Art Studio, Photography, Fashion, and Drama
• The Validation Team recommends that the Art Department continue to address ongoing requests and concerns with regard to tweaking operating budgets. Faculty and technical support personnel need to continue to provide input as far as what is needed to support and enhance instruction and carrying our program operations. Unit Plans supply an important vehicle for facilities support, but more can be done outside of Unit Plan cycles. For example, only instructors know best what visual delivery systems work best in their classrooms. Their views should be respected and reflected in various budget requests at various times during the academic year. This includes support for the Art Resource Center.
This is in-progress and ongoing.
• The Validation Team recommends a renewed, more inclusive approach to the running of the Art Gallery. While we commend the individuals who have recently carried the bulk of the organization and presentation of Gallery exhibits, we believe that the vision for the Gallery should reflect a more broad consensus. We recommend that the Art Department, in conjunction with an advisory committee comprised of other interested, appropriate parties, both establish the vision and do planning for the Art Gallery. Ensure that input is gathered from more full-time and associate faculty. We also recommend that the Gallery not be so reliant on personal donations from faculty and staff. The Gallery requires the support of student assistants, reinstatement of reassigned time for faculty taking a leadership role relative to the Gallery and stipends for those curating exhibits.
This is in-progress and ongoing.
• We recommend that the Art Department continue the ongoing work of SLO assessment, align Student Learning Outcomes with General Education outcomes, and implement a 6-year assessment cycle for all disciplines and/or programs within the department.
This is in-progress and ongoing.
1. Develop an Art History Certificate.
2. Develop a Museum Studies Certificate.
3. Insure that students receive high quality education in the Art Academic area.
Strategy 1 - Develop an Art History Certificate
The Art History Certificate would include all of the Art History courses the department offeres, including:
Art 2, Art History Survey I
Art 3, Asian Art History Survey
Art 4, Art History Survey II
Art 5, Survey of Modern Art
Art 6, African, Oceanic, and Native American Art History Survey
The certificate might also include Art Appreciation, as well as other courses which would meet the transfer requirements of University of California, such as Architectural History, Mesoamerican Art History, and Native American Art History, etc.
The Certificate in Art History will provide well-rounded educational preparation for Art History, Studio Art, Art Education, Architecture, and Interior Architecture majors. In addition, certificates of achievement are small, achievable goals that do not require the additional General Education courses, but facilitate student continuing down a career pathway. Student success is facilitated when we provide clear and meaningful degree pathways leading to seamless transfer to 4-year institutions.
Strategy 2 - Develop a Museum Studies Certificate
The Museum Studies Certificate would provide experience
Museums are a critical piece in the Creative Placemaking strategies of cities as part of their plans for urban renewal. Museums across the nation and around the world are actively seeking people trained to research and curate art exhibitions, manage art collections, and educate visitors. Museum Studies is a career pathway open to Art History, Art Education, and Art Studio majors, and would help to prepare students to fill the demand in this industry.
Strategy 3 - Insure that students receive high quality education in the Art Academic area
Offering high quality educational experience to students in the Art Academic area requires the knowledge, skills, and collaboration of all instructors to insure that innovative teaching methods are implemented in the coverage of course material, Student Learning Outcomes are addressed, and, where possible, the Arts Resource Center is utilized. The Arts Resource Center (ARC) is an integral part of the Arts education of students because it provides research materials and computer access to students, faculty and staff. An increase in funds to pay student workers would allow the ARC to be more accessible for students, and enhance student success.
Communication amoung faculty teaching in the Art Academic area will benefit all participating instructors through sharing of methodology and practice, increase the number of students who successfully complete courses, and enhance Student Learning Outcomes. Located between the two Art History/Art Appreciation classrooms in the Arts Building, this facility provides students and faculty with access to Art, Music, and Drama books, DVDs, and computer resources. It contributes to student success in these classes by augmenting and enriching classroom instruction, and providing easy access to arts resources for students. Access by students is critical for students' success in the Art Academic area.
None.
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| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | Arts Resource Center | Personnel | 11-000-512-1-160100 | 52468 | $0.00 | $8,670.00 |
| 2 Student Assistants, 15 hours per week each. | Student help is critical in providing access to the materials and equipment in the ARC. These resources are targeted to facilitate student success in Academic Art courses which meet G.E. and transfer requirements, and Studio Art Courses. |
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