Summary

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In spring 2016, my approved Associate Professor Promotion Plan proposed the development of a Visual Arts department non-credit arm. This program, inspired by The Music Institute model, consisted of community open studios, workshops and non-credit “courses.” Our initial goal provided rigorous avenues of learning that extended beyond our credit offerings, engaging local community members and developing relationships with practicing artists.

However, during the same year, I led the Art and Graphic & Interactive Design department through an influx of curriculum change - resulting in the consolidation of the two previously mentioned degrees into a singular Visual Arts degree and the restructuring of our academic program. The new degree and its broad impact on our department, students, and community obligations served as a catalyst requiring an immediate shift away from the non-credit arm – with an in-depth focus on the effective roll-out of the new Visual Arts curriculum, departmental policies, and cursory academic needs. It is important to note that in the Visual Arts degree there are newly developed 200-level “studio” courses that, in many ways, compensate for the lack of our non-credit workshops. These “studio” courses and associated objectives are designed in a manner that allow flexible learning environments for continuing learners.

”A significant feature of this course is the opportunity for individual student advisement, helping the student to gain insight into his/her personal process and direction as an artist. Faculty may modify the major topics of the course each semester in order to present students with new approaches deemed pertinent to [insert course content].” - 200-Level “Studio” catalog language.
Specific course examples are available at the HCC course catalog.

The new Visual Arts degree as well as departmental initiatives drove a three-year concise Associate Professor promotion project focused on student success and internal departmental strategies – many of which are beneficial across the HCC community. These outcomes are outlined below – with documentation and evaluation located under “Supporting Information.”

Supporting Information