Art Majors
The Franklin Art program provides students wishing to study art at a small liberal arts college an opportunity to major (through an individualized major) or minor in art. The program offers two tracks: art history and studio art. The goal of both tracks is to develop students' understanding of the major periods/styles in the visual arts and to encourage students to explore their own creativity in drawing, painting, digital photography, ceramics, and design.
The art history major offers a study of visual concepts and the major art movements within the historical period which produced them, and gives students an understanding and appreciation of artistic endeavor and experience.
The art studio major is designed to develop students’ skills for creating art while developing an appreciation of art and an understanding of art history. There are three tracks available for studio art majors: painting, ceramics and design. You can click the images below to view galleries of student artwork.
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What Makes Us Unique
- Working closely in and outside of class with a professor who is an expert in their field.
- Regular class trips with professors to museums and galleries in Chicago and Indianapolis.
- Opportunities to exhibit every semester in student art shows with awards given for excellence in each medium.
- A visiting artist lecture and exhibition on campus at least every semester. This is a great opportunity to meet renowned artists and to see their work first hand.
- A solo senior exhibition for studio art majors highlighting their best work while at Franklin.
- Opportunities for internships in the visual arts during the senior year.
- Opportunities to study abroad through winter term travel courses.
- Around the clock access to all studio spaces.
Awards
- Joan Gamble Rogers Art Award – An award given annually for the purchase of art supplies to students in studio art classes.
- William and Ruth Kerlin Hibbs Art Scholarship – A scholarship given annually for excellence in the visual arts to an outstanding sophomore or junior.
- Georgia Jean Rinker Challenge Award – A monetary award given annually for a fine arts project that involves study, travel, and/or artistic expression.
Scholarship
The art department offers three $5000 scholarships annually to students who demonstrate excellence in the visual arts. These scholarships are given to students based on the following criteria:
- an excellent portfolio and interview;
- active participation in the growth of the art department;
- the pursuit of an art major or art minor
Students must maintain good academic standing, carry a professional attitude, and fulfill their obligations by enrolling in the required number of art courses required for their art major or minor. Scholarships are renewable on an annual basis AS LONG AS the student has fulfilled their commitments and that funds are available.
Portfolio
- Studio Art: Your portfolio consists of 10 examples of your best art work including at least two examples of observational drawing. Submissions should be comprised of original work whenever possible (digital images of your work will be accepted if the original work is not available).
- Art History: Your portfolio consists of two papers: 5-7 page essay on a topic of your choice relevant to the field of art history as well as a 2-3 page paper describing why you are interested in studying art.
Please contact David Cunningham, dcunningham@franklincollege.edu, and Svetlana Rakic, srakic@franklincollege.edu, to schedule an appointment for your interview and portfolio review.
