UA College of Fine Arts

School of Art School of Dance School of Media Arts* School of Music School of Theatre Arts*

*new merger into School of Theatre, Film & Television

Degrees Offered, Undergraduate

Liberal arts BA degree Professional training degrees (BFA,

BM)

Approximately 1500 majors

Degrees Offered, Graduate

Introductory graduate degree (MA, MM)

Terminal degrees (MFA, PhD, DMA)

Approximately 350 graduate students

Accreditation

National Association of Schools of Art and Design

National Association of Schools of Dance

National Association of Schools of Music

National Association of Schools of Theatre

Fundamental knowledge & skills

Practice, history, theory of various areas of specialization

Development of an “artistic voice” Understanding of relationship between

ideas, structure, & expression Technical ability at professional level Self-critique Ability to critique and learn from others

Assessing the arts

“Painting is easy for those that do not

know how, but very difficult for those

that do!” - Edgar Degas

Assessing the arts: individual assessment

Most effective by individuals with years of study and practice in an art form

The more advanced the student, the more assessment of technique recedes in favor of artistic attributes

Assessment should include a range of techniques in various combinations

Assessment mechanisms

Auditions Used extensively in the performing arts

for admission, retention, and admission to upper-division

CFA “holistic admissions” process; assessment begins prior to admission

Sample admissions criteria from School of Dance audition/interview

Assessment mechanisms

Portfolio and document reviews An organized collection of student work Most effective for assessing student

growth, especially when comparing work from at least two points in time End-of-semester/year portfolio reviews for all

professional degree students e-portfolios <eportfolio.cfa.arizona.edu>

Assessment mechanisms

Examinations Traditional exams in combination formats

for academic courses in history & theory Specialized exams, such as the Music

Education Advisory Review test Sight singing exercise, error detection test,

and a two-minute speech

Assessment mechanisms

Juries, hearings and competitions Typically required for advancement to a

higher level of study In School of Music, juries provide students

with opportunity to demonstrate to the area faculty their progress on a specific instrument

Assessment mechanisms

Studio or technique lessons and classes Individual or group School of Art’s “First-Year Experience” core

curriculum: 8 conceptually themed 8-week courses with topics such as space, gaze, surface, propaganda, the body Ability to assess understanding of common vocabulary

and concepts

Assessment mechanisms

Rehearsals Sites of close individual mentoring by

faculty (faculty work alongside students as directors, conductors, designers, etc. on events for the public)

Assessment of process, not simply product

Assessment mechanisms

Public exhibitions, screenings, recitals or performances Typically BFA/BM students required to

offer public performance/exhibition each semester – use of evaluation rubrics

Capstone projects – School of Media Arts “I Dream in Widescreen”

Theatre Arts annual Showcase of Talent; assessment by industry professionals

Assessment mechanisms

Career development courses, student teaching, and internship evaluations Numerous internship arrangements with

professional arts organizations Teacher certification programs in Art,

Music and Theatre Arts

The role of self-reflection and critique

Specific feedback combined with open-ended questioning techniques

Students themselves as a source of feedback

Self-motivation, discipline and creative problem-solving