Iowa Wesleyan College

The Division of Fine Arts is concerned with the varied means of human expression. Students are encouraged and equipped to make their own interpretation of life’s meaning and to find their own place and purpose in the larger story of humankind.

Various courses in this division are required by other programs and divisions. Majors and minors are offered in each program of the division. Both programs make provisions for the preparation of students to gain certification to teach in the public schools.

The teaching of Life Skills (valuing, communication, problem solving and social effectiveness) is central to the teaching of the fine arts. Students who are engaged in fine arts are concerned with communication of ideas to their publics; the act of creativity requires continuous problem-solving; as they focus their creative talents on any one project/performance, students have thus made a statement of personal values. Students in the fine arts discover, as they polish and refine their project/performance, that their success as an artist depends to a large extent on how they are able to relate to and influence their public through development of social skills.

Even beyond the natural focus of Life Skills in the fine arts, classes in fine arts extensively employ small group discussion of course topics, writing for understanding, statement of values, and reasoning activities. Students are continually asked to assess their skills, to plan for improvement, and to answer the question of “Why?” throughout their work in the division.

Students who desire to major in art or music programs must be approved as candidates for a degree with a major in art or music. Such application is submitted during the second semester of the sophomore year. Normally, transfers are eligible to apply for candidacy only after completing 12 credit hours in the desired major at Iowa Wesleyan College.

Music and art majors are permitted a “D” grade in one required support or core course without repeating the course.

Students in this division may select a B.A. or B.S. degree in the art programs, or a B.A. or B.M.E. in the music program.

The Art Department at Iowa Wesleyan is the home of three majors: Studio Art, Art Education and Visual Communications and Design. The Studio Art major is designed for the student who has the desire and drive to excel as an independent artist or candidate to a graduate program in art following undergraduate work. A minor is also available.

The Art Education major is tailored for the art student who wants to teach K-6, 7-12 or both. It provides a firm foundation in a broad range of studio and art history so the student is firmly grounded as an artist educator. Students take education, psychology and other requirements to meet state certification plus a pre-professional and a semester practica of student teaching. The art faculty works closely with education faculty in advising but strongly suggest that Art Education majors meet with an advisor in the Education department to keep apprised of any changes in curriculum. Minors are available K-6 and 7-12.

The Visual Communications and Design major has evolved out of the Commercial Design (Graphics) major that has been offered. The major covers digital imaging, web, multimedia authoring, animation and illustration. Communications and business courses are integrated into the curriculum plan and further reflect the diverse and interdisciplinary nature of the major. The Design Center is the technology hub for many of these courses and is also structured to provide students varied opportunities to work with campus and off-campus clients for credit. A minor in Visual Communications and Design is available.

The Web Design major is a fusion of elements from three majors: Computer Science, Visual Communications and Design plus key courses from Business Administration. It is intended for the student who is interested in designing for the web and managing web projects. The student will take courses that develop design communications, marketing and management competencies and technical command of appropriate software and data management theory.

The Iowa Wesleyan College art program exists to:

• promote understanding, appreciation and interest in the visual arts through a supportive community that encourages experiential learning, personal investigation and insight into the creative process;
• provide basic general instruction in visual arts activities including: design, visual communications, drawing, painting, printmaking and ceramics; and
• expose students to current application and theory in visual arts while providing a forum for analysis and synthesis of individual artistic expression.

The music program provides courses of study for performance, music education and general cultural development. Students involved in the music program will:

• develop the knowledge and skills required for the practice of the profession of music teaching and performance, and
• expand their cultural level of development.

To achieve the first goal, the College offers two four-year degree programs for music majors. The second goal is achieved by offering a course of study for a minor in music and by making available ample opportunities for all students to expand their cultural level of development through instrumental and vocal ensembles, private instruction, and through academic courses designed for majors and non-majors alike. Through these means it is possible for every student on campus to be involved in some aspect of the music program either as a performer or as a classroom student.
Students may take as many hours of applied music as their schedules will allow, and receive credit for them. They may count four credit hours toward graduation. Beyond four hours, each additional hour of applied music credit must be matched with a credit hour received from music courses other than ensembles in order to be counted toward graduation.

Musical Activities
The Iowa Wesleyan College Concert Choir is a select ensemble which performs several concerts throughout the year in churches and schools in the surrounding area. The Concert Choir also takes an extended tour each spring. Auditions are open to all Wesleyan students and are held at the beginning of each academic year.
The Broad Street Connection is a vocal jazz ensemble which performs regularly for civic groups, churches, schools, and college functions throughout the year. Members of this small ensemble are selected by audition from the Concert Choir. The group sings music from a wide variety of vocal styles.
The Southeast Iowa Community Concert Band, the IWC Wind Ensemble and Jazz Big Band are open, by audition, to all students who play woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. Additional chamber ensembles include woodwind choir, drumline, and brass and percussion ensembles.
The Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra, an affiliate organization of the College, is composed of musicians from the College and southeastern Iowa. The orchestra rehearses on the campus, and presents a series of concerts in the College Chapel, and in Ottumwa and Burlington. All qualified College students are encouraged to audition for the orchestra.
In addition to the above listed activities, other vocal and instrumental ensembles provide students additional experience in musical performance.
All College students are admitted without charge to concerts featuring well-known artists and ensembles presented in cooperation with the Mount Pleasant Concert Association.