Meeting presentation for Visual ARts Program Review

1. Westchester Community College
Visual Arts Program

2. What is Assessment?
 Assessment involves
the use of empirical
data on student
learning to refine
programs and improve
student
learning. (Assessing
Academic Programs in
Higher Education by
Allen 2004)

4. Step 1Identify
Learning
Goals
1. To provide students with the foundation level
knowledge and skills necessary to pursue an
avocation or career in the visual arts
2. To prepare students for successful transfer to
a four-year BFA or Liberal Arts program

5. Step 1Identify
Learning
Outcomes
Work backwards from
standard portfolio
requirements

6. Step 1Drawing
Demonstrate skill in
the use of drawing
media and ability to
translate observation
to image
“Accomplished
drawings are above
all else, the heart of
a successful
portfolio . . . . You
might be a wizard in
digital media, but
none of that will
matter if you have
poor drawings.”
Clara Lieu, RISD

7. Step 1Drawing
At least half of the
portfolio should consist
of drawing from direct
observation
“Do not copy your
work from
photographs or other
sources”
Clara Lieu, RISD
“Design projects and
computer-generated
images are not
recommended for
inclusion in Computer
Art portfolios . . .
School of Visual Arts

8. Step 1Design
Apply basic elements
and principles of
design, with an
emphasis on two-and
three-dimensional
design

9. Step 1Color
Apply color theory in
the creation of
successful color
compositions
“The work should demonstrate your abilities in the
areas of drawing, composition, color and design.”
Delaware College of Art and Design

10. Step 1Voice
Create self-
directed/concept-
driven works that
communicate
meaning/personal
voice

11. Step 1Voice
Works that go beyond
assignment
parameters

12. Step 1Voice
Work that is
finished/fully resolved

13. Step 1Digital
Use digital tools to
create, manipulate, edi
t, and archive art work

14. Step 1Variety
•Subject
matter, media, scale
“[Show] that you
have more than
one skill set, and
can move fluidly
from one media into
the next. Include
drawings, paintings,
sculptures, mixed
media, digital
media, printmaking,
or anything else
that you’ve had
experience with.”
Clara Lieu, RISD

15. Step 1Articulate
Speak and write
critically about
personal and peer
artworks using art
vocabulary

16. Step 1Art
History
Demonstrate
knowledge of art
historical and
contemporary
periods, movements, a
nd styles, and
familiarity with art
historical terminology

17. Step 1Portfolio
Assemble a portfolio of
work suitable for
academic transfer in
digital and hard copy
formats

18. Step 1Learning
Opportuni
ties
Next step: create a
curriculum designed to
meet learning goals
and outcomes

19. Step 1Learning
Opportuni
ties
Curriculum sequences
works backward from 3rd
semester VA Seminar

20. Step 1Assess
Student
Learning
Now we must evaluate
our success

21. Step 1Assess
Student
Learning
Assessment isn’t about
evaluating teachers

22. Step 1Assess
Student
Learning
Its about measuring
student learning

23. Step 1Assess
Student
Learning
It’s also about bringing
faculty together to
establish common
standards and goals

24. Sample Portfolios
http://wccvaprogramreview.wordpress.com/visual-art-seminar-outcomes/sample-student-portfol

25. Step 1Reflect
What did we learn?

26. Step 1Improve
Teaching
and
Learning

27. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Self-selected and
incomplete portfolios
 Mandatory course
portfolio
 Emphasis on portfolio
pieces embedded in all
classes

28. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Transfer students  Make transfer
contingent on portfolio
review

29. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Following curriculum in
reverse
 Improve academic
advisement
 Enlist the help of
adjuncts

30. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Academically under-
prepared students
 Freshman Seminar
 Establish benchmarks

31. Reflect on Results
Improve Teaching and
Learning
 Personal Voice/Mastery
of skills
 Establish level 2
proficiencies
 Create an advanced
projects course

32. Step 1
Changes
New college core that
aligns with SUNY

33. Step 1
Changes
New A.S. degree will
have 60 credits
Fewer elective choices
 Visual Arts A.S. Degree

34. Step 1
Changes
SUNY Seamless
transfer means that 4
year schools will be
setting the agenda
 SUNY Seamless Transfer

35. Step 1
Changes
Possible increase in
contact hours
 Contact Hours

36. Step 1
Changes
Possible classes for
majors and non-
majors
 Courses for Non-Majors

37. Step 1
Changes
More faculty
development
workshops
 Faculty Developement

38. Step 1
Changes
More standardized
process of
assessment
 Standardized Assessment