2009-2011 - Benedict College

152 FINE ARTS DEPARTMENT
NATIONAL TEACHING OF ART ASSOCIATION (NAEA) STUDENT CHAPTER
NAEA is an association open to Teaching of Art majors with an interest in any aspect of general local,
state, and national Teaching of Art activities.
THE PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
The Percussion Ensemble provides cultural enrichment and sound preparation for the modern expectations
of today's percussion students/performers. Its objective is to enhance the performing, sightreading,
ensemble playing, and teaching skills of percussion students, preparing them for classroom
teaching of percussion techniques and literature. Participation is by audition or consent of the director.
THE THEATRE ENSEMBLE
The Theatre Ensemble is open to all students interested in participating in theatrical productions, and
is open to all students by audition.
VOCAL JAZZ ENSEMBLE
The Vocal Jazz Ensemble is a small active ensemble which explores jazz and pop musical styles, techniques,
and improvisation. Standard and contemporary vocal jazz literature is emphasized.
Participation is by audition or consent of the director.
THE WOODWIND ENSEMBLE
The Woodwind Ensemble rehearses and performs a mixture of traditional and twentieth century music
for woodwinds. Membership is open to all students with experience on standard woodwind instruments
and by audition or consent of the director.
ART
Mission Statement of the Visual Arts Programs
The role of the Visual Arts Programs are to provide a basis of support for the Benedict College liberal
art curriculum by offering a broad base of study in concepts and principles, historical perspectives,
tech-niques and processes, understanding, and appreciation of the creation process. The mission of
the art area makes a unique contribution to the broader mission of the College and academic community
by making it possible for the college to address both the intellectual and aesthetic needs of its
students, community, and state. The visual arts programs develop cognitive, perceptual, emotive, and
communication skills that help students establish higher-order thinking proficiencies desperately needed
to function in today’s society.
The Visual Arts Programs provide the following services to the College. Art Appreciation is offered in
support of the General Education requirement for the College to provide awareness and appreciation
of art. Support courses are designed and offered for Teacher Education, Recreation, Mass
Communication, and History majors who have a need to teach or use art and design in their professions.
Art courses are open to non-art majors as electives, used for enriching their liberal arts education.
A minor in Studio Art is also an option. The Benedict College Ponder Art Gallery provides continuous
art exhibitions as educational experiences for students of art, for the Benedict College family,
and surrounding communities. In addition, the College Art Gallery hosts visiting artists, who contribute
to the art program by conducting lectures, leading student critiques, and engaging in classroom visitations
and demonstrations. Works from the collection are loaned to campus offices where there is
adequate security. Beyond the campus, the Visual Arts area has loaned works to several schools and
libraries for specific events, including African-American History and Culture Month and Women’s
History Month. The Art faculty and students often serve as consultants to campus publications and create
many campus communication designs.
The Visual Arts Programs aim to provide students with a broad base of educational experiences in art
which will equip them with necessary skills to enter professional career fields in art. Students selecting
the Program of Study in Teaching of Art will be prepared to teach art in Grades K-12. Students
selecting the Program of Study in Studio Art will be prepared for careers in fine arts and visual communication.
Students in the Visual Arts Program acquire knowledge and skills necessary for entrance
into graduate school.