Communication, Art, and Media

The Division of Communication, Art, and Media provides a robust applied, practical, and theoretical understanding of the principles and practices of various fields, including communication, studio art, theatre, art history, and visual arts and experimental media. There is no better place to study communication, art, and media than New York City. All majors in the Division integrate exceptional academics with engaging experiences in and outside the classroom that include internship opportunities and dynamic connections with professionals and industry leaders in the field.

The Division offers an array of dynamic and cutting edge courses that enable critical thinking, integrate theory and practice, and tackle pressing social issues through creative expression and intervention in the visual arts, communication, media, and performing arts. Whether you are interested in social media, video and intermedia, world cinema, streaming and podcasting, creative advertising and public relations, computer media, photography, design, printmaking, acting and stage management, or musical theatre, our course offerings will prepare you for a successful career in a diverse, evolving, and ever changing industry.

Art History examines the meaning of art objects, techniques, and processes with a time period. Art historians discover artists and art object attributions in attempts to determine the social, cultural, and biographical contexts of artists and their work. Students apply a critical lens to the study of art movements, trends, styles and provenance. Art historians engage with curatorial writing that surrounds identifying, describing, classifying,  interpreting, and evaluating objects and processes in the the applied areas of painting, sculpture, photography, design, drawing and printmaking, architecture, digital and media arts, the performing arts, and the decorative arts.

Communication is a social process that creates individual and communal identities, relationships, and institutions. It focuses on how to effectively use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts. Communication students advance their understanding of theoretical, critical, aesthetic, visual, and historical approaches, and demonstrate the ability to think analytically about issues in media studies and human communication. Students develop the abilities to write, research, organize, and deliver effective presentations, documents, promotional materials, videos, feature articles, and papers in a variety of styles. They gain experience in understanding the symbolism, aesthetics, and composition of visual communication, and receive preparation that enhances their ability to seek and secure careers in the communication industry.  The communication major is tailored to a student’s interests, strengths, and motivations through Concentrations or Specializations, including advertising and social media, video production and postproduction, public relations and event planning, media writing, communication design, sports media, health and environmental communication, performance studies, and interpersonal and intercultural communication.

Studio Art students work one-on-one with professional artists, learning valuable skills that enhance their ability to solve problems visually, conduct research, think critically, and develop a creative process. Class sizes are limited to ensure student collaboration, exceptional faculty support, and access to innovative materials and techniques. Art majors can choose from a wide range of both traditional and interdisciplinary courses that lead students to careers in photography, painting, design, art education, art criticism, art therapy, gallery and museum curation, arts administration and management, conservation, and exhibition design. To support student growth, the Division maintains spacious, light-filled studios for life drawing, painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, and printmaking that are open to all art students.

Theatre is an interdisciplinary program that establishes a foundation for a career in theater and performing arts as performers, set and lighting designers, sound editors, production managers, stage managers, writers, and theater-makers.  The program combines practical skill based training with theoretical, cultural, and historical explorations of craft and text.  Students focus their interest in one of three areas: 1) Acting and Performing Arts; 2) Playwriting and Storytelling; or 3) Theatre-Making and Media Arts. As a culminating experience, all theatre majors develop a final senior project that articulates their unique artistic voices and aspirations.

Visual Arts and Experimental Media comprises a range of cutting-edge, experimental courses in visual arts, electronic art, media, photography, video art, and sound art. Through the juxtaposition and synthesis of the intermedial arts, the degree program merges painting, design, and sculpture with experimental digital arts, and attempts to bridge conceptual, historical, multicultural, and art critical approaches toward art and media practices and production. Students are mentored and guided through many exciting conceptually and thematically driven projects that use a broad range of traditional and digital tools. Our campus is home to new digital media labs, visual art studios, and a postproduction lab. Off campus, students have thousands of internship and networking opportunities throughout New York City with arts organizations, foundations, design agencies, and media houses.

Contact

(718) 405-3459
commarts@umsv.edu
Maryvale Hall 106