Overview
The Community Arts track provides you with the professional framework to pursue social engagement, environmental issues, community building and public art. We teach and show you how art can be a tool for enriching community life, affirming cultural identity, and pursuing political and social justice goals through curriculum that combines art and community engagement.
You’ll learn how to use art to bring people together and make a positive impact. Through partnerships with community organizations and coursework with UWM’s Cultures & Communities program, you’ll create your own personal and collaborative community art projects. These projects empower you to make a difference through your art and prepare you for careers in grassroots organizations, nonprofit arts organizations, educational institutions and beyond.
Faculty and Staff
Our inspirational faculty and staff make sure students feel welcome and empowered to think outside the box and explore all possibilities of making art at UWM. Visit the Peck School of the Arts directory to meet these artists, explore their biographies and engage with recent work.
Scholarships and Aid
Financial constraints shouldn’t hinder your artistic dreams. Our comprehensive range of scholarships and aid programs is designed to empower and support artists like you.
Study Abroad
We believe that a complete education in the arts should take you beyond the classroom and the local community. By studying abroad, you’ll gain more than a change of scenery. You’ll embark on a transformative educational experience and bring a global perspective to your field of study. Explore upcoming trips offered in partnership with the Center for International Education.
Requirements
Admission Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must meet general University admission requirements in addition to specific program requirements found on the Peck School of the Arts apply page.
Undergraduate Advising
Academic advising is a collaborative process that empowers students to realize their maximum educational potential. Students are encouraged to visit the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page to meet with your advisor prior to each semester’s registration period. Advisors provide students with individualized appointments to assist with degree requirements, course selection, campus resources, college success strategies, graduation assessment, academic policies and more.
Laptop Requirement
Preparing for a future defined by digital technology is an important step in developing artists. Our digitally integrated curriculum helps you achieve a professional level with leading art-related software and practices.
Laptop ownership is strongly recommended for all students. However, it’s required for most majors. For more information, please visit the Peck School of the Arts admission page.
Advance to Major and Retention
Students accepted into the Art & Design program receive priority registration over non-art majors. To advance to the major students must complete the following requirements within the first 45 credits:
- Complete First Year Program courses.
- Complete general degree requirements.
- Maintain a 2.5+ cumulative GPA.
- Students pursuing a BFA in Design & Visual Communication (DVC) have additional requirements: complete ART 124 with a grade of C or better, and ART 221 and ART 223 with a grade of B- or better, and pass the DVC portfolio review.
Enrollment Management
To maintain the highest quality of service to students, Art & Design programs or studios may select their own enrollment management mechanisms. These may include portfolio review, gateway courses, registration prioritizing (ex: majors only), higher GPA for the area of concentration, or others as appropriate. Students who successfully matriculate as BFA degree candidates should familiarize themselves with area requirements and discuss them with area faculty to ensure comprehension.
Credits and Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| University Core | 45 | |
| First Year Program | 15 | |
| BA Degree Requirements | 9 | |
| Major Requirements | 51 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
University Core
The minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Arts is 120; the minimum number of credits required to complete the Bachelor of Fine Arts is 123. Students who need background preparation courses in math, English, and foreign language may need additional credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Requirements 1 | ||
| Compentencies 1 | ||
| English Parts A & B 2 | ||
| Math Parts A & B 2 | ||
| Foreign Language 2 | ||
| Distribution Requirements 1 | ||
| ARTHIST 101 | Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture (counts as Humanities GER) | 3 |
| ARTHIST 102 | Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture (counts as Humanities GER) | 3 |
| Social Science | 6 | |
| Natural Science (1 course with lab) | 6 | |
| Cultural Diversity 2 | ||
| Electives | ||
| General Electives outside PSOA | 9 | |
| Art & Design History | ||
| ART 509 | Art & Design Seminar: | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Design Survey | ||
| Photography Survey | ||
Advanced Art History Course 3 | ||
| Select 3 areas in PSOA outside Art & Design 4 | 9 | |
| Art in PSOA | ||
| ART 309 | Issues in Contemporary Art: | 3 |
| Total Credits | 45 | |
- 1
Learn more about the General Education Requirements.
- 2
Credit may be utilized in required curriculum areas.
- 3
Any Art History course above ARTHIST 102.
- 4
In 3 different Art areas: Dance, Film, Music, Theatre.
First Year Program
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 cumulative GPA required: | ||
| ART 101 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 106 | Art Survey: Creative Practice, Culture and Context | 3 |
| ART 108 | 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition | 3 |
| ART 109 | 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique | 3 |
| ART 118 | Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Degree Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BA Capstone | ||
| ART 501 | Studio Research, Practice, and Portfolio | 3 |
| ART 505 | BA Project | 3 |
| ART 604 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Major Requirements
Students in the Community Arts track are required to complete the 15-credit Cultures and Communities certificate program. Those credits can be counted as part of the University Core or as BA Directed Electives as desired in consultation with advising.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Studios | ||
| Select 9 credits of the following: | 9 | |
| Drawing II | ||
| Introduction to Creative Technologies: Computer Games and Interactive Art | ||
| Moving Images and Sound in Art & Design | ||
| Introduction to Design | ||
| Introduction to Typography | ||
| Introduction to Fibers | ||
| Introduction to Painting | ||
| Introduction to Photography | ||
| Introduction to Sculpture | ||
| Introduction to Jewelry and Metalsmithing | ||
| Introduction to Digital Fabrication | ||
| Introduction to Making for Digital Fabrication | ||
| Introduction to Ceramics | ||
| Introduction to Printmaking & Book Arts (subtitle) | ||
| Introduction to Art Education | ||
| Community Arts Core | ||
| ART 306 | Introduction to Community Art 1 | 3 |
| ART 406 | Community Arts II | 3 |
| ART 309 | Issues in Contemporary Art: | 3 |
| or ART 509 | Art & Design Seminar: | |
| Studio Focus | ||
| Students must select 2 studio courses (6 credits) at the 300-level or above. Be aware of prerequisites, and choose Introductory Studios with prerequisite requirements in mind. | 6 | |
| Directed Electives | ||
| Select 27 credits from Peck School of the Arts or the University 2 | 27 | |
| Total Credits | 51 | |
- 1
Course number 150 Multicultural America (any discipline) is a prerequisite to ART 306, and can be taken as a Directed Elective or as a University Core class in the fall semester of the sophomore year.
- 2
Choose courses from Peck School of the Arts or the University. At least 15 credits must be at the 200 level or above. BA Community Arts students are required to complete the Cultures and Communities Certificate (15 credits total). Courses in Directed Electives should be chosen to count towards this certificate. Students should select their Cultures and Communities Certificate courses to include some classes above the 100-level. Some Art and Design courses in Community Arts program will also count towards the certificate.
Sophomore Proficiency Review
All sophomores are required to participate in the sophomore proficiency review after accumulating 30-60 credits. The review is designed to serve as an advisement opportunity to provide students direction as to how they might proceed through the program. Upon completing the review, students will plan their coursework within their chosen studio pathway.
Sample Plan of Study
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| (Includes OWC-A and QL-A Requirements) Students must be aware of the prerequisites for the 200-level course they wish to take in the second semester of the First Year and enroll in the appropriate First Year Program courses in fall. | ||
| ART 101 | Drawing I | 3 |
| ART 106 | Art Survey: Creative Practice, Culture and Context | 3 |
| ART 108 | 2D Studio: Concept, Color and Composition | 3 |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 109 | 3D Studio: Form, Idea and Technique | 3 |
| ART 118 | Digital Arts: Culture, Theory, Practice | 3 |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Students are reminded that all First Year Program courses must be completed in the first 45 credits (usually in Fall semester of sophomore year). | ||
| 200-level studio in Art | 3 | |
| 200-level studio in Art | 3 | |
| ARTHIST 101 | Ancient and Medieval Art and Architecture 3 | 3 |
| 150 Multicultural America (any discipline) 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Sophomore Proficiency Review: All sophomores are required to participate in the Sophomore Scholarship Competition. Students will be assigned a minimum of two faculty members to meet with to review their submitted artwork. The review is designed to give students critical feedback over their artwork and to serve as an advisement opportunity to provide students direction as to how they might proceed through the program. Upon completing the review, students may declare their focus. | ||
| 200-level Studio in Art | 3 | |
| ART 306 | Introduction to Community Art 4 | 3 |
| ARTHIST 102 | Renaissance to Modern Art and Architecture 3 | 3 |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| ART 309 | Issues in Contemporary Art: | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| 300-level and above Studio Concentration | 3 | |
| ART 406 | Community Arts II 4 | 3 |
| Art & Design History Choice: | 3 | |
| Design Survey | ||
| Photography Survey | ||
or any Art History above ARTHIST 102 | ||
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| 300-level and above Studio Concentration | 3 | |
| ART 309 or ART 509 | Issues in Contemporary Art: or Art & Design Seminar: | 3 |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ART 501 | Studio Research, Practice, and Portfolio | 3 |
| ART 509 | Art & Design Seminar: | 3 |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ART 505 | BA Project | 3 |
| ART 604 | Professional Practices | 3 |
| Directed Elective 2 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| University Core 1 | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
- 1
Consult your academic advisor in the Peck School of the Arts Student Services Office for requirements in the Core Curriculum. PSOA Arts Distribution Requirement is part of the 45-credit Core: 9 credits outside of Art & Design, in 3 of the 4 other departments in PSOA: Dance, Music, Theatre, or Film, Video, Animation, and New Genres.
- 2
The 30 credits Directed Electives can be courses in Art & Design and/or other disciplines to be chosen in conjunction with Art & Design Undergraduate advisor, followed by faculty in the areas of interest. Courses required to satisfy the Cultures and Communities Certificate can be part of the Directed Electives or University Core. 150 Multicultural America is a prerequisite for ART 306, and is recommended as a Directed Elective.
- 3
Six credits (ARTHIST 101 and ARTHIST 102) count as Humanities GER.
- 4
ART 306 and ART 406 are stacked courses - one must be taken in a Spring semester and the other in a Fall semester in order to avoid repeated assignments.
Art, BA: Community Arts Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with the BA in Community Arts from the Department of Art & Design will be able to:
- Identify and describe artistic practices and artists across cultures.
- Apply technical proficiency in a range of art disciplines, with fluency in at least one medium.
- Implement art practices that integrate collaborative processes and social cooperation.
- Participate in service-learning experiences that involve extensively working directly in the Milwaukee community, and work as artists within grassroots organizations, community institutions, non-profit arts organizations, and educational institutions.
- Design and enact projects which emphasize social engagement, environmental issues, community building, public art, and murals.
Policies and Regulations
Academic Regulations
For information on University-wide Academic Action Policy and honors for scholarship, see Academic Policies.
Auditing Courses
No studio or performance courses may be audited.
Declaration of Submajor
In most instances, after two years of basic preparatory courses in the major, students choose an area of specialization within their respective departments, known as a submajor. Students must declare a submajor after they have accumulated 45 to 75 credits to assure completion of the appropriate curriculum requirements for graduation.
Grievance and Appeal Procedures
If you have concerns about a class or a grade, or if you’ve been dropped from a program and would like to appeal, follow the grievance procedures found under the resources section on the Peck School of the Arts Advising & Student Services page.
Independent Study
Under special conditions, juniors and seniors are permitted to take courses in independent study. For regulations on independent study, see the departmental advisor.
Program Changes
All program changes must be signed by the instructor and the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services. Certain other courses may also require this approval indicated in the semester's Schedule of Classes.
Second Bachelor's Degree Candidates
Students with good scholastic records who wish to earn a second bachelor's degree in the Peck School of the Arts must obtain the recommendation of the Peck School of the Arts department in which they wish to major before they can be accepted. Upon acceptance, students must earn in residence a minimum of 30 credits beyond the studies for the first degree and must satisfy all curriculum requirements.
Semester Credit Load
A full-time Peck School of the Arts student is one who takes a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Typically, Peck School of the Arts students are not permitted to carry more than 18 credits per semester. Students who have a 3.0+ cumulative GPA may, with the permission of the Peck School of the Arts Office of Student Services, carry up to 21 credits per semester.
Transfer Students
Transfer students from other universities and colleges or UWM units are accepted by the Peck School of the Arts provided they meet the UWM admissions criteria and have a 2.0+ cumulative GPA.
Honors in the Major
- Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a GPA of 3.500 or greater in the major and the academic department's recommendation.
- High Honors in the Major is granted to students who have earned a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or greater and the academic department's recommendation.
- Departmental Honors are granted to students recommended by their academic department for Honors excellence in performance not reflected in the GPA.
- Dean's Honors are granted to students with major achievements in one or more of the arts.
College of the Arts and Architecture Dean's Honor List
GPA of 3.750 or above, earned on a full-time student's GPA on 12 or more graded credits in a given semester.
Honors College Degree and Honors College Degree with Distinction
Granted to graduating seniors who complete Honors College requirements, as listed in the Honors College section of this site.
Commencement Honors
Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.500 or above, based on a minimum of 40 graded UWM credits earned prior to the final semester, will receive all-university commencement honors and be awarded the traditional gold cord at the December or May Honors Convocation. Please note that for honors calculation, the GPA is not rounded and is truncated at the third decimal (e.g., 3.499).
Final Honors
Earned on a minimum of 60 graded UWM credits: Cum Laude - 3.500 or above; Magna Cum Laude - 3.650 or above; Summa Cum Laude - 3.800 or above.