Become part of a dynamic and established Fine Art community at Cornish that actively promotes artistic experimentation, innovation and risk-taking. Aimed at aspiring artists from a broad range of backgrounds, the program offers an exciting cross-disciplinary environment that cultivates the development of conceptual, practical and technical skills, providing you with a stimulating and supportive student-centered experience. Investigation, testing, reflection and critique are developed through both structured learning and independent study. It is in this context that you will be encouraged to define, develop and evolve your individual practice as an artist.
Relay 2: JD Banke >>> Lauren Armstrong
All Art majors follow a single degree program, leading to a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree within two of five concentrations chosen by the student:
The core curriculum is designed to encourage students to examine traditional and contemporary ideas, methodologies, and processes within and across these subject areas. Courses in drawing and art history/theory are woven throughout the curriculum as an integrated part of your four-year journey.
Opportunities
External and community engagement is embedded in the program via study abroad, the New York Studio Residency Program, collaborative projects, commissions, exhibitions, internships and competitions. One notable example is the Loan Exhibition Partnership established in 2005 between the Art Department and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Resources
Numerous research resources are open to you as a Cornish student. At Cornish you have access to the Mary Alice Cooley Print Collection (and further afield at the Henry Art Gallery Collections at the University of Washington.)
The Main Gallery has been a significant feature and resource at Cornish for many years, and has hosted the work of many renowned artists. Alongside the main space, students are invited to submit proposals to create work for the Collaboratory, a project space located in the gallery that is dedicated to interdisciplinary explorations across Cornish. This represents the very best of Cornish’s unique identity as one of only three colleges in North America that offers the visual and performing arts.
Student agency is at the heart of Cornish. The Closet Gallery is a student run exhibition space. It is for the students, by the students. Our goal is to provide a professional environment for students to showcase their work while pursuing their degree. We also strive to provide opportunities for students to see the work of fellow peers while providing a community of supportive feedback. The Closet Gallery is open to all current Cornish students from any department and encourages experimentation along with collaboration,” says Curator, Sam Whalen.
The Visiting Artist Program is a key feature of your study and provides the context to meet artists working professionally. You will also have access to the annual lecture series linked with the Neddy at Cornish.
Being educated as a fine artist, your career options are non-linear, wide and far-reaching. It is our aim to give you the diverse and flexible skills necessary to open up potential directions for your future professional life, which could include: research at postgraduate level (MFA); or becoming a professional artist, filmmaker, project manager, studio manager, fabricator, animator, curator, writer, printer, photographer, arts administrator, publisher, educator, technical instructor, preparator, designer, producer, picture/archive researcher; or working in public art contexts, museums; or working in the areas of digital imaging, production & post-production, web authoring, new media production … just to name a few!
We are committed to an integration of practical excellence, academic rigor, and technical flexibility, giving you the skills required to succeed in a time of complexity and convergence. This valuable and memorable time of study will provide the springboard from which you will launch an exciting career with confidence and reflective awareness.
