The study of integrated studio arts reflects a humanistic, liberal arts orientation that prepares students to accept responsibility for the social, cultural and physical environment they will help to shape and influence.

Creative problem solving and visualizing complex ideas are critical in today's job market. Our goal is to prepare undergraduate students with a basis in artistic thought and professional practice, media techniques and skills, historical understanding and observation skills, so they may participate in visual arts-related careers or advanced study.

 

Based in part on shared studio pedagogy, we provide fine arts students with a solid foundation in traditional and innovative artistic design and media skills. We begin with wide exposure to artistic media, proceed to greater individual focus and culminate with an in-depth specialization in one or more media.

 

History of Integrated Studio Arts at ISU

Studio arts education at Iowa State began before the turn of the 20th century: Students in agriculture and mechanic arts in the 1880s were required to take drawing, and in 1886, drawing was required for freshmen in the General Course in Science. Subjects included vegetables, flowers, orchards and collections of wood and insects.

 

Iowa State offered its first three official art courses -- History of Art and Household Decoration, Theory and Practice of Teaching Domestic Art, and Wood Carving -- in 1901-02. As the arts evolved at the university, courses were offered in ceramics, craft design (covering a range of materials, including leather, metal, plastic and wood), drawing, jewelry, oil and watercolor painting, textile design and weaving.

 

Applied art was first recognized as a department in the Division of Home Economics (now the College of Human Sciences) in 1924. Prior to 1924, it had been combine periodically with textiles and clothing as a part of the program in domestic or household art.

 

In 963 the four majors in the undergraduate applied art program were advertising design (now known as graphic design), art education, general applied arts and crafts, and interior design. When the College of Design opened in 1978, these disciplines became a part of the Department of Art and Design.

 

In 1981, the bachelor of arts in art and design was complemented with a bachelor of fine arts degree, and by 1984 the studio arts-related BFA had three concentrations: craft design, drawing/painting/printmaking, and visual studies, which included photography. These concentrations were merged into the new integrated studio arts (ISA) program in 2000. At the same time, a master of fine arts degree in integrated visual arts (IVA) was approved.

 

The ISA program today offers a four-year BFA degree of in-depth studio work with an emphasis on crossing conceptual and media boundaries. Art history classes complement studio courses. This program is designed for students who intend to become professional artists and those planning to continue their studies at the graduate level.