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Artists express their thoughts and feelings by creating fine art works that are primarily intended for aesthetic enjoyment. Related career titles include advertising artist or designer, art administrator, furniture designer, illustrator, courtroom sketcher, medical illustrator, animator and toy designer. Some organizations that typically employ art majors include: studios, museums, auction houses, art councils, educational institutions, hospitals, interior design departments, advertising agencies, and film and media production companies.

Studio Arts, Associate Degree for Transfer

Upon completion of the Associate in Arts in Studio Arts for Transfer (AA-T), students will have a strong academic foundation in the field and be prepared for upper-division baccalaureate study. Completion of the degree indicates that the student will have satisfied the lower-division requirements for transfer into Studio Arts or similar majors for many campuses in the California State University system.

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, students will be able to demonstrate an ability to work with contemporary visual ideas and their solutions as they apply to studio practice; have an understanding of conceptual thinking and the ability to communicate their ideas using research that will include media, visual culture, art history, history, and an understanding of the importance of verbal and written skills; and develop strong visualization skills, professional attitude, and a portfolio that supports their goals.

Area of Emphasis: (24 units)

Required Core Courses: (12 units)

AHIS 2,Western Art History II(3)
or
ART 10A,Design I(3)
ART 13,Form and Space: Introduction to 3D Design(3)
ART 20A,Drawing I – Introduction to Drawing(3)
LIST A: Select 1 course from the following: (3 units)
AHIS 1,Western Art History I(3)
AHIS 3,Global Art History Since 1860(3)
AHIS 17,Arts of Asia(3)
LIST B: Select 3 courses from the following: (9 units)
ART 10B,Design Theory & Practice(3)
ART 10C,Digital Media(3)
ART 15,Lettering(3)
ART 17A,3D Jewelry Design I(3)
ART 17B,3D Jewelry Design II(3)
ART 20B,Drawing II – Drawing with Color(3)
ART 20C,Digital Drawing(3)
ART 21A,Figure Drawing I(3)
ART 21B,Figure Drawing II(3)
ART 30A,Beginning Watercolor Painting I(3)
ART 30B,Watercolor Painting II(3)
ART 30C,Acrylic Painting Techniques(3)
ART 31,Beginning Oil Painting(3)
ART 32,Intermediate Painting(3)
ART 33,Figure Painting(3)
ART 35,Airbrush Techniques(3)
ART 40A,Sculpture Fundamentals(3)
ART 40B,Sculpture Explorations(3)
ART 40C,Advanced Sculpture(3)
ART 41A,Figure Modeling Sculpture I(3)
ART 41B,Figure Modeling Sculpture II(3)
ART 43A,Glass Sculpture I(3)
ART 52A,Introduction to Ceramics(3)
ART 52B,Ceramics: Hand Building(3)
ART 60,Introduction to Printmaking(3)
ART 61A,Etching(3)
ART 61B,Advanced Etching(3)
ART 62,Serigraphy (Silkscreen)(3)
ART 63,Lithography(3)

Art, Associate Degree

In the Art Associates of Arts degree, students will be guided through a mix of material and conceptual exploration grounded in core foundational skills.  Students will be able to demonstrate a diverse skillset in a broad range of media, materials and processes. They will define and use core concepts in 2D, 3D and new genres. Students will produce original work that demonstrates a high level of craft, with the ability to describe, analyze, and provide criticism of works of art in various media. This multi-faceted program will prepare our students to transfer, organize art works/art practice for exhibition, if applicable, and understand safe and hazard-free use of art materials and equipment.  

Program Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of the program, students will demonstrate an appreciation and understanding of Art and Art History in order to develop creative and critical thinking solutions to various Art and Art History issues. Students will look at an artistic situation, whether in implementation or analysis, in order to develop and create a strategy for its solution.

Area of Emphasis: (18 units)

Required Courses: (9 units)

ART 10A,Design I(3)
ART 13,Form and Space: Introduction to 3D Design(3)
ART 20A,Drawing I – Introduction to Drawing(3)
Select 1 Art History course:
AHIS 2 is recommended
AHIS 1,Western Art History I(3)
AHIS 2,Western Art History II(3)
AHIS 3,Global Art History Since 1860(3)
AHIS 5,Latin American Art History 1(3)
AHIS 6,Latin American Art History 2(3)
AHIS 11,Art Appreciation: Introduction to Global Visual Culture(3)
AHIS 15,Mexican Art History(3)
AHIS 17,Arts of Asia(3)
AHIS 18,Introduction to African Art History(3)
AHIS 21,Architectural History: Ancient to 1850(3)
AHIS 22,Architectural History and Theory – 1850 to Present(3)
AHIS 52,History of Photography (same as PHOTO 52)(3)
AHIS 71,African American Art History(3)
AHIS 72,American Art History(3)

Select 2 courses (6 units), with a minimum of 3 units in Art

Art: Select 1 to 2 courses: (3-6 units)
ART 21A is recommended
ART 10B,Design Theory & Practice(3)
ART 10C,Digital Media(3)
ART 15,Lettering(3)
ART 17A,3D Jewelry Design I(3)
ART 17B,3D Jewelry Design II(3)
ART 20B,Drawing II – Drawing with Color(3)
ART 20C,Digital Drawing(3)
ART 21A,Figure Drawing I(3)
ART 21B,Figure Drawing II(3)
ART 30A,Beginning Watercolor Painting I(3)
ART 30B,Watercolor Painting II(3)
ART 30C,Acrylic Painting Techniques(3)
ART 31,Beginning Oil Painting(3)
ART 32,Intermediate Painting(3)
ART 33,Figure Painting(3)
ART 34A,New Genres(3)
ART 34B,Contemporary Art Theory and Practice(3)
ART 35,Airbrush Techniques(3)
ART 40A,Sculpture Fundamentals(3)
ART 40B,Sculpture Explorations(3)
ART 40C,Advanced Sculpture(3)
ART 41A,Figure Modeling Sculpture I(3)
ART 41B,Figure Modeling Sculpture II(3)
ART 43A,Glass Sculpture I(3)
ART 43B,Glass Sculpture II(3)
ART 52A,Ceramics: Hand Building(3)
ART 52B,Ceramics: Hand Building(3)
ART 52C,Ceramics III(3)
ART 53A,Introduction to Wheel Throwing(3)
ART 53B,Wheel Throwing Processes and Techniques(3)
ART 60,Introduction to Printmaking(3)
ART 60B,Introduction to Digital Printing(3)
ART 61A,Etching(3)
ART 61B,Advanced Etching(3)
ART 74,Introduction to Creative Coding and Generative Art(3)
ART 75,Form and Information(3)
Art History: Select 1 course (3 units), if less than 2 courses (6 units) are completed from Art
AHIS 1,Western Art History I(3)
AHIS 2,Western Art History II(3)
AHIS 3,Global Art History Since 1860(3)
AHIS 5,Latin American Art History 1(3)
AHIS 6,Latin American Art History 2(3)
AHIS 11,Art Appreciation: Introduction to Global Visual Culture(3)
AHIS 15,Mexican Art History(3)
AHIS 17,Arts of Asia(3)
AHIS 18,Introduction to African Art History(3)
AHIS 21,Architectural History: Ancient to 1850(3)
AHIS 22,Architectural History and Theory – 1850 to Present(3)
AHIS 52,History of Photography (same as PHOTO 52)(3)
AHIS 71,African American Art History(3)
AHIS 72,American Art History(3)
ART 62,Serigraphy (Silkscreen)(3)
ART 63,Lithography(3)
AHIS 71,African American Art History(3)
AHIS 72,American Art History(3)

For Transfer Consideration and Portfolio Development in Art

In addition to the required courses of the Art degree above, the SMC Art Department recommends the following courses of study for transfer consideration and portfolio development:

Painting/Drawing/Printmaking Emphasis:

ART 21B,Figure Drawing II(3)
ART 30A,Beginning Watercolor Painting I(3)
ART 30B,Watercolor Painting II(3)
ART 30C,Acrylic Painting Techniques(3)
ART 32,Intermediate Painting(3)
ART 33,Figure Painting(3)
ART 35,Airbrush Techniques(3)
ART 60,Introduction to Printmaking(3)
ART 61A,Etching(3)
ART 61B,Advanced Etching(3)
ART 62,Serigraphy (Silkscreen)(3)
ART 63,Lithography(3)

Contemporary Art Practice and Theory Emphasis:

ART 34B,Contemporary Art Theory and Practice(3)

Fine Arts Emphasis:

ART 13,Form and Space: Introduction to 3D Design(3)
ART 32,Intermediate Painting(3)
ART 33,Figure Painting(3)
ART 40A,Sculpture Fundamentals(3)

New Technologies Emphasis:

ART 20C,Digital Drawing(3)
PHOTO 1,Introduction to Photography(3)
PHOTO 2,Basic Black and White Darkroom Techniques(3)

Printmaking Emphasis:

ART 60B,Introduction to Digital Printing(3)
ART 62,Serigraphy (Silkscreen)(3)

Select 1 additional course from the following:

AHIS 3,Global Art History Since 1860(3)
AHIS 52,History of Photography (same as PHOTO 52)(3)
AHIS 72,American Art History(3)

Design with a Digital Technologies Emphasis:

ART 15,Lettering(3)
ART 20C,Digital Drawing(3)
ART 21B,Figure Drawing II(3)
ART 30A,Beginning Watercolor Painting I(3)
ART 30B,Watercolor Painting II(3)
ART 30C,Acrylic Painting Techniques(3)
ART 34B,Contemporary Art Theory and Practice(3)
ART 60B,Introduction to Digital Printing(3)
ART 61A,Etching(3)
ART 61B,Advanced Etching(3)
ART 62,Serigraphy (Silkscreen)(3)
ART 63,Lithography(3)

3-D/Ceramics and Sculpture Emphasis:

ART 13,Form and Space: Introduction to 3D Design(3)
ART 17A,3D Jewelry Design I(3)
ART 17B,3D Jewelry Design II(3)
ART 40A,Sculpture Fundamentals(3)
ART 40B,Sculpture Explorations(3)
ART 40C,Advanced Sculpture(3)
ART 41A,Figure Modeling Sculpture I(3)
ART 41B,Figure Modeling Sculpture II(3)
ART 43A,Glass Sculpture I(3)
ART 43B,Glass Sculpture II(3)
ART 52A,Introduction to Ceramics(3)
ART 52B,Ceramics: Hand Building(3)
ART 52C,Ceramics III(3)