A Vote to Expand Art Degrees
Rutgers Board of Governors approves bachelor of fine arts in visual art degree at Rutgers University–Camden, which will include concentrations in animation and graphic design
The Rutgers Board of Governors on Tuesday unanimously voted to approve creation of a bachelor of fine arts in visual art degree to be offered by the Camden College of Arts and Sciences. The proposal for the new degree now goes to the New Jersey Presidents’ Council, which represents the state’s public, private, and community colleges and universities, for action.
Rutgers University–Camden Chancellor Antonio D. Tillis applauded the Rutgers Board of Governors’ support of the move to launch the new degree on campus.
“Our campus has long had a vibrant visual art community on campus,” Tillis says. “This will take our program to the next level and ensure that Rutgers University–Camden is on the forefront of educating the next generation of leading animators, graphic designers and other artists who produce outstanding work.”
The B.F.A. in visual art will build upon the existing art degree, a bachelor of arts, which is currently offered at Rutgers University–Camden. Kenneth Elliott, chair of the Rutgers–Camden Department of Visual, Media and Performing Arts, says the new degree will give students interested in art the additional option to pursue a more intensive fine arts degree.
“It’s going to benefit our program in so many ways,” Elliott says. “Students are drawn to these types of programs. Moreover, employers are finding the program to be appealing as well. When students graduate with a B.F.A., they will have a professional degree.”
The B.F.A. will offer students the option to pursue a variety of concentration areas, including animation, graphic design, intermedia: art and technology, painting and drawing, and sculpture.
The art major remains popular on campus and currently has more than 100 students enrolled. Rutgers–Camden is the only Rutgers campus to offer the animation concentration.
