Associate of Science | 60 credits
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Program Description
Students who elect to pursue an Associate of Science in Fine Arts will prepare themselves for transfer to a 4-year college or university with an eye to a career in making, teaching or managing art.
The Fine Arts AS degree is an interdisciplinary degree tailored to the art studio experience enabling students to achieve proficiency in the principles and practices utilized by professional artists and affiliated industries. Through the study of art theory, art history, drawing, painting, photography, and non-traditional medium students gain knowledge of art genres and systems of thought. Experimentation with a variety of materials and methods with an emphasis on development of the concepts, skills, and techniques related to the art studio and the development of a personal artistic expression will be undertaken.
Career Opportunities
The primary intent of this degree is to prepare students to successfully transfer to four-year institutions where they will advance their study and practice in specialized disciplines in the fine arts. Options for students graduating in this field are many and varied. Career options include a wide range of art related skill-based jobs, studio art practice, art directors, gallery management, art education, and curatorial practice. While this degree is not designed as a terminal degree, it is structured to offer valuable skills and proficiencies pertaining to a wide variety of opportunities and potentialities in connection with professional and academic pursuits, such as internships, apprenticeships, scholarships, as well as graduating with the capability of pursuing skill-based jobs. According to the Department of Workforce Services, Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media in Utah have an annual growth rate of 2.8% with 1,070 projected annual openings among the visual art careers between 2016-2026. For the occupation of fine artists, including painters, sculptors, and illustrators, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists Utah as the third highest state in concentration of jobs and location quotients with 0.16 per thousand jobs as of May 2021. In addition to careers specific to the arts, skills developed through an arts education (critical thinking, creativity, flexibility, and risk taking) are highly sought in a wide range of occupations, particularly in the tech industry. According to Steven Tepper, Associate Director of the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy at Vanderbilt University and Research Director of the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) “IBM found, in a global study of more than 1,500 CEOs from 60 countries and 33 industries, that the most important skill for successfully navigating our increasingly complex, volatile, and uncertain world is none other than creativity.” Art education is vital in today’s world. Learning is an action process, and studying art allows for this process to occur naturally by providing space and structure to make mistakes, to explore, to search for answers and to understand how best to correct those mistakes. Art students research, analyze and communicate information. They learn to understand complex systems and relate them to a multitude of disciplines. For these reasons, skills and aptitudes gained through this rigorous program will equip students with advantages pursuing jobs both in and out of art related industries.
Transfer/Articulation Information
Please refer to the Student Resources section of the SLCC University Transfer webpage.
https://www.slcc.edu/transfercenter/students/index.aspx
Supplies: $600
Course Fees: $190
NOTE: Fees may vary based upon specific registration and are subject to change.
Program Entry Requirements
High School Diploma or equivalent.
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