Foundations
Regardless of your starting point, your pathway to mastery begins alongside other freshmen art and design majors as you collectively participate in The Foundations Program, an intensive first-year program that is unique to the South Carolina School of the Arts.
You’ll work together in small groups in hands-on studio experiences developing creative problem-solving skills, diving into ideation, and exploring personal creative processes.
On day one, you’ll gain a community of friends to work alongside over the next four years as you’re led by teams of faculty from the drawing, painting, 3D studies, and design disciplines.
On day one, you’ll gain a community of friends to work alongside over the next four years as you’re led by teams of faculty from the drawing, painting, 3D studies, and design disciplines.
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Establish a Solid Creative Foundation
You’ll cover a wide range of techniques, materials, skills, and ways of solving visual problems, preparing you for your chosen field of study.
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Get to Know Professors Right Away
You’ll get to work with multiple professors from differing areas, building relationships with them from day one.
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Progress Forward Together
Each project and topic are scaffolded, building upon the previous, moving you through a growth process with your cohort.
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Healthy Creative Community
Grow in a supportive studio environment that is both uplifting and has high standards with collaborative peers and passionate professors who care.
Foundations Classes
Foundations 1
Foundations 1 is an introduction to the visual language used across all areas of Art + Design. Students learn how to define and examine artworks, build technical skills in drawing, design, and color theory, and think about the relationship between what something looks like and what it means.Foundations 2
Foundations 2 pushes students to think critically, brainstorm new ideas, and make artwork that is thoughtful, professional, and ethical. Students are encouraged to consider their role in defining visual culture in our society; how they participate in that conversation matters from the beginning of their creative careers.What You Will Learn
Fundamentals of art and design: elements, principles, composition
Critical and conceptual thinking
Critical and conceptual thinking
How to create successful visual work
Work ethic and time management
Work ethic and time management
How to grow confident in your abilities
How to separate yourself from your work and give critical feedback
How to separate yourself from your work and give critical feedback
Our Foundations Faculty
Assistant Professor of Art,
Foundations Coordinator
Painting & Drawing
Foundations Coordinator
Painting & Drawing
Professor of Art,
Associate Provost
3D Studies
Associate Provost
3D Studies
Adjunct Professor of Art
Painting & DrawingGraphic Design
Painting & DrawingGraphic Design
Professor of Art
Painting & DrawingArt EducationFoundations
Painting & DrawingArt EducationFoundations
Associate Professor of Art,
Associate Dean
Photography
Associate Dean
Photography
Assistant Professor of Art,
Gallery Coordinator
Photography
Gallery Coordinator
Photography
Adjunct Professor of Art
3D StudiesGraphic Design
3D StudiesGraphic Design