IAIA - Institute of American Indian Arts

Degree Requirements

Our program encourages students to explore the visual arts through an exciting and comprehensive course of study designed to develop not only skills but also concepts, historical awareness, and cultural sensitivities essential to the professional artist.

Our small class sizes, accomplished faculty (over half are Native artists from the U.S. and Canada), excellent facilities, and top-notch equipment provide a creative learning environment for a future in the arts.


PHILOSOPHY

The focus of our program is the development of each student’s personal expressive abilities, critical thinking skills and professionalism. Every student brings energy, experience, vision, dedication and creative expression to the Studio Arts program, and the results of their work are showcased in a senior thesis exhibition.

Students begin their exploration in the foundation year with courses in two- and three-dimensional fundamentals, studio fundamentals, drawing and color theory. Introductory through advanced studio courses in a specific media (painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, printmaking, jewelry/metals) provide students with innovative ways of thinking and creating.

Bachelor of Fine Arts

125 Credits

Course # Credits
General Education REQUIREMENTS 31
major REQUIREMENTS 94
FUND100 Studio Fundamentals 2
FUND101 2-D Fundamentals 3
FUND102 3-D Fundamentals 3
FUND103 Color Theory and Practice 2
FUND111 Drawing I 3
FUND212 Drawing II 3
FUND221 Figure Drawing 3
ARTH300 Contemporary Native American Art
History 3
ARTH312 Contemporary Art 3
ARTM301 Writing About Art 3
ARTM402 Portfolio 3
SSEM403 Studio Arts Seminar 2
Choose 1 course below 3
ARTH211 Native American Art History I
ARTH212 Native American Art History II
Choose 1 course below 3
ARTH221 European Art History Survey I
ARTH222 European Art History Survey II
Choose any 1 Art History Elective Below 3
ARTH311 Modern Art 1850-1950
ARTH231 Arts of Africa, Oceania and the
Americas: A Comparative Study
ARTH213 Arts of the Americas
Or Other Art History Course
Introductory Studio in 2D: Choose 2 6
PTNG111 Introduction to Painting
PRTM101 Introduction to Printmaking
PHOT121 Introduction to Photography
Introductory Studio in 3D: Choose 2 6
CERA101 Introduction to Ceramics
JEWL121 Introduction to Jewelry/Metals
SCUP131 Introduction to Sculpture
Choose at least one Intermediate Studio & one Advanced Studio in the same studio emphasis 6
PTNG211 Intermediate Painting
PRTM201 Intermediate Printmaking
PHOT221 Intermediate Photography
CERA201 Intermediate Ceramics
JEWL221 Intermediate Jewelry/Metals
SCUP231 Intermediate Sculpture
PTNG311 Advanced Painting
PRTM301 Advanced Printmaking
PHOT321 Advanced Photography
CERA301 Advanced Ceramics
JEWL321 Advanced Jewelry/Metals
SCUP331 Advanced Sculpture
Studio Arts Electives: Choose six 18

Studio Electives: Intermediate Studio 200 Level, Advanced Studio 300 or 400 Level (Advanced Studio 400 can be repeated once in the same discipline, using the following course numbers PTNG411, 412, PRTM401, 402, PHOT431, 432, CERA401, 402,JEWL421, 422, & SCUP431, 432), New Media Courses, Traditional Arts Courses, Internship 290 and 490, Apprenticeship 295 & 495, Independent Study, 298, 398 0r 498, or any other Studio Elective.

Two Elective Courses 6
Senior Projects in chosen focus area
451 Senior Project I: (Focus Area) 5
452 Senior Project II: (Focus Area) 5

Associate of Fine Arts Degree

65 Credits

Course # Credits
General Education REQUIREMENTS 31
DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS 22
FUND100 Studio Fundamentals 2
FUND101 2-D Fundamentals 3
FUND102 3-D Fundamentals 3
FUND103 Color Theory and Practice 2
FUND111 Drawing I 3
FUND212 Drawing II 3
ARTH211 Native American Art History I 3
ARTH212 Native American Art History II or
other Art History elective 3
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS 12
Any 2-D Introduction to Studio 3
Any 2-D Introduction to Studio 3
Any 3-D Introduction to Studio 3
Any 3-D Introduction to Studio 3

Studio Arts Minor

23 Credits

Course # Credits
MINOR REQUIREMENTS 23
FUND101 2-D Fundamentals 3
FUND102 3-D Fundamentals 3
FUND111 Drawing I 3
FUND100 or   Studio Fundamentals or
FUND103 Color Theory and Practice 2
Any Art History Course 3
One Introductory Studio Course 3
PTNG111 Introduction to Painting 3
PRTM101 Introduction to Printmaking 3
PHOT121 Introduction to Photography 3
CERA101 Introduction to Ceramics 3
JEWL121 Introduction to Jewelry/Metals 3
SCUP131 Introduction to Sculpture 3
One 200 Level Studio Arts Course
PTNG211 Intermediate Painting 3
PRTM201 Intermediate Printmaking 3
PHOT221 Intermediate Photography 3
CERA201 Intermediate Ceramics 3
JEWL221 Intermediate Jewelry/Metals 3
SCUP231 Intermediate Sculpture 3
Studio Arts Elective: Choose one 3