Program Coordinator: Professor Simon Carr, scarr@bmcc.cuny.edu
The Department of Music and Art offers the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree program in Art Foundations – Studio Art. The Art Foundations program seeks to educate students in the fundamentals of studio practice and art historical scholarship. Progressing through a broad and rigorous curriculum that encompasses the basics of fine and applied arts and art history, students will be better prepared to enter a variety of majors in a four-year college and pursue occupations in the arts.
Explore Careers
BMCC is committed to students’ long-term success and will help you explore professional opportunities. Undecided? No problem. The college offers Career Coach for salary and employment information, job postings and a self-discovery assessment to help students find their academic and career paths. Visit Career Express to make an appointment with an advisor, search for jobs or sign-up for professional development activities with the Center for Career Development. Students can also visit the Office of Internships and Experiential Learning to gain real world experience in preparation for a four-year degree and beyond. These opportunities are available to help BMCC students build a foundation for future success.
Transfer Options
BMCC has active articulation agreements for graduates with the A.A. in Art History and the A.S. in Studio Art with Queens College–CUNY. These agreements allow students to make a seamless transition to four year colleges, assured that the courses they have taken at BMCC will count towards their major.
These suggested careers may require bachelor's or higher degrees.
Make an appointment at the Academic Advisement and Transfer Center.
Required Common Core
| English Composition | 6 |
| Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| Life and Physical Sciences | 3 |
| TOTAL REQUIRED COMMON CORE | 12 |
Flexible Core1
| Creative Expression2 | 6 |
| Individual and Society | 3 |
| Scientific World | 3 |
| U.S. Experience in Its Diversity | 3 |
| World Cultures and Global Issues | 3 |
| TOTAL FLEXIBLE COMMON CORE | 18 |
| TOTAL COMMON CORE | 30 |
Curriculum Requirements
- This course will introduce digital art image making, editing and design techniques as a foundation upon which an effective visual language is built. Beginning with an investigation of the elements and principles of digital design, students will discover a broad range of visual ideas, concepts and techniques to use in creating images. Expressing, evaluating and communicating ideas with visual images is a primary focus of this course. During the semester, students will use imaging and design software consistent with that in use by artists and other visual professions as a beginning step towards professional-standard computer proficiency.
- Using a global approach, this introduction to art history includes the study of painting, sculpture, architecture and other media by surveying the Renaissance through the start of the twentieth century. The exploration of techniques, media, composition, and figure representation will provide an understanding of key concepts in the arts with additional focus on the historical and social context, which developed the meaning and changing styles in different cultures as well as the effects of cultural exchange through the arts.
- This course provides an introduction to basic color theory and to fundamental elements and principles of two-dimensional design. Through studio exercises, students explore concepts of color theory and develop skills working with traditional drawing, painting and mixed media. Through design projects, students apply learned skills, work with principles of design, and engage in creative problem solving relating theory to practice.
- ART 143 is a hands-on studio course exploring the fundamentals of three-dimensional design and creative thinking for students in all disciplines. The course introduces the elements and principles of 3D design used across fields of art, design, and business to solve 3-dimensional problems. It focuses on spatial issues of line, plane, volume, and mass in a variety of materials including wire, paper, board, mixed media, as well as some digital tools. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and the creative process of ideation and problem-solving, moving from research and concept to model, revision, and completed design.
- This introductory course covers a range of basic approaches to drawing and addresses the development of manual skills in freehand drawing, drawing of objects from nature and idea-oriented approaches to drawing. This course will satisfy drawing requirements for transfer within the CUNY system, as well as professional art schools.
Choose 1 from the following:
- This course offers students an introduction to the art of creating photographs. Basic technical, theoretical, and aesthetic aspects inherent to contemporary photography are presented. During the semester, a range of camera techniques, including exporsure, depth of field, shutter speed and composition are investigated. Reading, writing, and oral assignments will reflect on both technical aspects of photography and on contemporary practice. Note: a 35mm SLR camera with fully manual controls is required for this class.
OR
- This three credit course is designed to have the beginning student explore painting techniques, with an introduction to the use of various media. Strong emphasis is placed on formal concerns (figure and objects). This course will satisfy painting requirements for transfer within the CUNY system as well as professional art schools.
OR
- This is an introductory studio course exploring three-dimensional sculptural form, using both traditional and contemporary materials and methods. Clay and other media are used in hands-on practice as a means of expression and for understanding the language of sculpture, including focus on the creative process from idea to completion. This course is intended to satisfy basic sculpture requirements for transfer within CUNY, as well as professional art programs.
6 CRS
Studio Art Program Concentration Electives Requirement (see below)1
6 CRS
Elective Art Requirement3
Studio Art Concentration Electives
Choose 6 credits from 1 of the following 5 areas of study
Digital Imaging
- This course offers students an introduction to the art of creating photographs. Basic technical, theoretical, and aesthetic aspects inherent to contemporary photography are presented. During the semester, a range of camera techniques, including exporsure, depth of field, shutter speed and composition are investigated. Reading, writing, and oral assignments will reflect on both technical aspects of photography and on contemporary practice. Note: a 35mm SLR camera with fully manual controls is required for this class.
- This course will use digital imaging principles as an essential part of photographic editing. Fundamental digital imaging skills will include input, editing, archiving and output as part of the creative process. A range of approaches to producing, processing and printing digital images will be explored as they relate to current practices.
Prerequisites: ART 101 or Permission of the Department - This introductory course covers digital photography printing including basic retouching and editing. Students will learn the importance of digital workflow, and how it pertains to professional post-production scenarios. Beginning with downloading images from cameras or capture devices, students will learn to use appropriate naming and filing conventions, meta data, basic editing and retouching images, archiving, and digital printing. Through introduction to new material, research, and printing new images, students will expand their technical and visual skills beyond the initial image.
Prerequisite: ART 133, ART 101, ART 236 or Departmental Permission - This course covers two topics essential for students who intend on pursuing careers in graphic design: prepress production and portfolio design. Students will learn the art and science of preparing and optimizing graphic files for print on commercial offset lithography printers as well as on personal inkjet printers. This course will also guide students through the creation of a cohesive design portfolio, showcasing their creative and technical skills.
Prerequisite: [ART 101 and ART 203] or departmental permission - This course will explore type design and its application in visual communication. Students will learn to manipulate type properties to design meaningful and effective graphic communication. The use of industry-standard desktop publishing software will be covered as well as will be applied to a range of typographic solutions.
Prerequisite: MMA 100 or ART 100 or ART 101
Course Syllabus - This class builds upon principles and skills learned in Foundations of Digital Design. Students will apply principles underlying effective visual communication to increasingly complex design problems. Projects may include poster design, symbols and logos, editorial design, information design, visual identity and branding and other design systems. Critical analysis of design problems and the creative design process will be emphasized. Students will complete reading and writing assignments in addition to problems in visual communications and design.
Prerequisite: MMA 100 or ART 100 or ART 101
Course Syllabus
Drawing
- This introductory course covers a range of techniques and concepts as they concern visual storytelling. Through class exercises and assignments, students will earn to create narratives that effectively combine images and text while developing drawing, design and script writing skills. Outcomes can be applied to working in film, animation, and other two-dimensional or three-dimensional graphic narratives. Through lectures, research and production, students will expand their visual vocabulary while broadening the influences on their work. Prerequisite: ART 161 or ART 166 or departmental permission
- This course, a continuation of ART 166, emphasizes formal drawing concerns, such as design, composition, and the introduction of a variety of new media. Advanced projects include still-life, landscape, perspective, portraiture and rendering the human figure. This course will satisfy drawing requirements for transfer within the CUNY system, as well as professional art schools. Prerequisite: ART 161, ART 166 or permission of the department
- This course introduces students to a basic study of representing the human body. Students work from nude models using a variety of techniques and media while investigating the basics of skeletal and muscular anatomy. This course will satisfy drawing requirements for transfer within the CUNY system, as well as professional art schools. Prerequisite: ART 161 or ART166
- This course covers basic approaches to drawing a portrait, anatomical study and discussion of portraiture as a genre. Students will study concepts including contour line, value, composition, measuring and space. Students will study the figure with an emphasis on the head, neck and shoulders, the skull, muscles, landmarks and planar structure. Through focused, observational drawing of portraits, students will heighten visual awareness, improve drawing skills and deepen their understanding of the human form.
Prerequisite: ART 166 or ART 269 or departmental permission - This course is designed to extend the skills and abilities of students who can already combine images and text through drawings, designs and script writing. Students will create several theme-based assignments as if working professionally in the two-dimensional or three-dimensional graphic narrative field. In-class project development will include the sharing of multiple-scenario outcomes. Through lectures, research, and production, students will expand their visual vocabulary while broadening the variety of influences of their own work. Prerequisite: ART 176 or departmental permission
- This course develops advanced drawing skills in representing the figure within an environment. An important component includes learning to use a variety of drawing techniques, both historical and contemporary. Individual projects are pursued by students and specific techniques are introduced as they relate to the work being created. Class review of ongoing work and projects by students will constitute the core of the class in addition to individual tutorials. A sketchbook is kept, for homework assignments. A research paper and presentation are done at mid-semester.
Prerequisite: ART 166, [ART 266 or ART 168] or department permission - This advanced life drawing course is a continuation of ART 168. It continues the investigation of drawing the human figure with increased technical ability, exploring historical techniques and the use of more complex poses. This course will satisfy drawing requirements for transfer within the CUNY system, as well as professional art schools. Prerequisite: ART 164 or ART 168
Painting
- This three credit course is designed to have the beginning student explore painting techniques, with an introduction to the use of various media. Strong emphasis is placed on formal concerns (figure and objects). This course will satisfy painting requirements for transfer within the CUNY system as well as professional art schools.
- This course continues the development of technical, analytical, and perceptual skills and enhances the advancement of an individual approach to painting. The course will satisfy studio requirements for transfer within the CUNY system as well as professional art schools. Prerequisite: ART 171 or ART 174
- Painting III, ART 374, continues the development of technical, analytical and perceptual skills necessary to create a painting. The course enhances the development of an individualized approach to image making and the development of the student as an artist. This class emphasizes independent projects that give the student a chance to develop a body of personal work, and emphasizes the development of a portfolio. ART 374 is designed to transfer within the CUNY system, as well as professional art schools. Prerequisite: ART 274 or instructor approval
Photography
- This course offers students an introduction to the art of creating photographs. Basic technical, theoretical, and aesthetic aspects inherent to contemporary photography are presented. During the semester, a range of camera techniques, including exporsure, depth of field, shutter speed and composition are investigated. Reading, writing, and oral assignments will reflect on both technical aspects of photography and on contemporary practice. Note: a 35mm SLR camera with fully manual controls is required for this class.
- This introductory course covers digital photography printing including basic retouching and editing. Students will learn the importance of digital workflow, and how it pertains to professional post-production scenarios. Beginning with downloading images from cameras or capture devices, students will learn to use appropriate naming and filing conventions, meta data, basic editing and retouching images, archiving, and digital printing. Through introduction to new material, research, and printing new images, students will expand their technical and visual skills beyond the initial image.
Prerequisite: ART 133, ART 101, ART 236 or Departmental Permission - This course introduces students to working with studio lighting as in a professional graphic studio. The assignments will introduce a range of lighting systems including tungsten, studio and portable flash, natural light, and mixed sources. Artistic and technical problems associated with portraiture, still life, product and fine art photography will be addressed. Hand-held meters, flash meters, lighting accessories, filters, and an introduction to medium and large format cameras will be covered during the semester. Through lectures, research and production of new work, students will expand their understanding of light and lighting while broadening the influences on their work.
Prerequisite: ART 133, ART 236 or departmental permission - This course further develops students' understanding and expertise in using a hand-held camera as an image-making tool. During the semester, we shall investigate a range of camera techniques, and approaches to specific topics allowing students to explore the canon of photography. The course will explore light and film characteristics utilizing both color slide film and digital capture. Readings will center on photography's recent history and forays into critical theory. A research project and paper, along with a comprehensive oral presentation will centre on contemporary photography.
Prerequisite: ART 133, ART 236 or departmental permission - This course introduces students to concepts and approaches in shooting still photographs for use in visual communication including photojournalism, documentary, and personal narrative. The assignments explore a range of techniques and ideas as they relate to the specific photographic genres, including light and use of lighting, narrative, and the ethics of fact vs. fiction. Through lectures, research and production of new work, students will expand their understanding of these genres in photography. Prerequisite: ART 236 or departmental permission
- This course gives students an understanding of the realities of running a small photography business. Students are introduced to building a commercial photography portfolio and how to promote it. The basics of record keeping, budgeting, career and business planning, estimating, billing, contracts and writing standard business forms are also introduced during this course. Communicating through email and social media outlets is emphasized. Students also learn various options and aspects of working in the editorial and in the fine art world and how to strive to be employed as a photographer.
Prerequisite: ART 133 or ART 236 or departmental permission
Sculpture
- This is an introductory studio course exploring three-dimensional sculptural form, using both traditional and contemporary materials and methods. Clay and other media are used in hands-on practice as a means of expression and for understanding the language of sculpture, including focus on the creative process from idea to completion. This course is intended to satisfy basic sculpture requirements for transfer within CUNY, as well as professional art programs.
- This intermediate sculpture course is an extension of ART 183. Directed toward individual study, students continue to explore their interest in sculpture, including modeling, carving, and assemblage in clay, plaster, and mixed media. In addition, students learn the casting process, and practice visual and verbal analysis through writing and critiques. This course is intended to satisfy intermediate sculpture requirements for transfer within CUNY as well as to professional art programs. Prerequisite: ART 181, ART 183 or departmental approval
- This intermediate course introduces a range of basic approaches to sculpting the figure; students will develop the skills needed to accurately sculpt from life. Students’ observational and reasoning skills are developed by providing a clear understanding of the fundamental principles of sculpting. Emphasis is placed on Gesture, Proportion, and Form. These three principles build on one another with a focus on accurately portraying observations, resulting in three-dimensional life studies in clay.
Prerequisite: ART 183 or departmental permission - This advanced sculpture course is an extension of ART 283. Through in-depth projects, students refine their skills in sculpture, with a focus on larger scale and installations using contemporary materials and techniques. In addition, students learn the use of specialized tools, and practice visual and verbal analysis through writing and critiques. This course is intended to satisfy advanced sculpture requirements for transfer within CUNY as well as to professional art programs. Prerequisite: ART 281, ART 283, or departmental approval
30
Total Curriculum Requirements
60
Total Program Requirements
Note
Please note, these requirements are effective the 2021-2022 catalog year. Please check your DegreeWorks account for your specific degree requirements as when you began at BMCC will determine your program requirements.
Footnotes
- No more than two courses in any discipline or interdisciplinary field can be used to satisfy Flexible Common Core requirements.
- Students are strongly advised to take ART 102: Art History Survey I and SPE 100/102 to satisfy this requirement.
- Choose 6 credits from ART 106, ART 113, ART 125, ART 126, ART 133, ART 174, ART 176, ART 183, ART 201, ART 203, ART 233, ART 237, ART 238, ART 251, ART 266, ART 269, ART 270, ART 274, ART 276, ART 283, ART 285, ART 290, ART 292, ART 293, ART 294, ART 295, ART 300, ART 303, ART 315, ART 335, ART 336, ART 337, ART 338, ART 366, ART 369, ART 374, ART 383, ART 420.
