1. Visual Art and Technology Programs: A new Paradigm Michael Netzer Dean, The School of Applied and Information Technology Hal Rummel Chair, The Institute of Art, Design, and Interactive Media

2. Over time, a growing separation of the visual arts and technology had evolved to a point of mutual exclusivity.

3. Visual Art students had little or no exposure to digital technology.

4. At the same time, the Computer Graphics courses had seen a large portion of foundation arts concepts squeezed out of a curriculum evolving to incorporate increasingly complex software and workflow.

5. We had two segregated populations that were not getting what we had in our power to give them… a solid and competitive advantage in a visual arts career as well as seamless transfer opportunities to desirable four-year colleges.

6. School of Liberal Arts School of Applied and Information Technology
Fine and Performing Arts
Visual Art
Interior Design
School of Applied and Information Technology
Computer Graphics
Multimedia Tech
Simulation & Digital Entertainment
Web Technology
(Digital) Photography

7. For rapid and meaningful curriculum integration and change within both Visual Arts and Computer Graphics currently-segregated departments needed to be combined into a single academic organization…

8. Discussion…

9. The Challenges: Administration/Faculty Buy-in Facilities
Curriculum Revision
Faculty Training

10. The Challenges:
Initial meetings with faculty in both departments to talk through expectations and responsibilities
Meeting of Program coordinators with Vice President of instruction
Final meeting with the College President and all full-time teaching faculty to make the case for moving Visual Art into The School of Applied and Information Technology
Administration/Faculty Buy-in

11. The Challenges:
Major renovations required on the Essex campus in art studios and a new computer lab
Additional hardware/software for Visual Arts Faculty
Complex scheduling issues
Facilities

12. The Challenges:
Revised foundation studio courses with a digital component
Courses developed by faculty teams in tech and traditional disciplines
Projects and weekly course schedules are developed in detail to insure consistency
Curriculum

13. The Challenges:
Two and Three-day workshops as faculty teach and collaborate with each other to develop the digital and traditional modules
Adjuncts included in all workshops
Team teaching initially challenging material
Faculty Training

18. Visual Art and Technology Programs: A new Paradigm