
Visual Arts
DILLARD UNIVERSITY VISUAL ARTS
Welcome to the place where creativity and passion come to life! Immerse yourself in the world of art history, culture, humanities, and sciences, and unlock your full potential as a visual artist.
Dillard Visual Arts offers an array of exciting opportunities for students who have a deep interest in the realm of fine arts, photography, sculpture, and visual storytelling. Our program is designed to nurture your artistic talent, expand your creative horizons, and develop your technical skills.
As a student in our program, you’ll have the chance to explore various mediums, techniques, and artistic styles. Our experienced faculty members, who are accomplished artists themselves, will guide and mentor you, helping you refine your craft and discover your unique artistic voice.
At Dillard University, we believe in the power of art to transcend boundaries, provoke thought, and inspire change. Our Visual Arts program provides a supportive and vibrant community, where you’ll collaborate with fellow artists, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and exhibit your work in our campus gallery.
Prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey of self-expression and creative exploration.
General Education Core – 41 credit hours
Major Requirements – 54 credit hours
Additional Coursework – 27 credit hours
Major Requirements
- ART 101 – Design & Color 3 cr.
- ART 102 – Color Theory 3 cr.
- ART 103 – 3-Dimensional Design 3 cr.
- ART 210 – Introduction to Basic Photography 3 cr.
- ART 211 – Photography II 3 cr.
- ART 216 – Introduction to Drawing 3 cr.
- ART 217 – Figure Drawing 3 cr.
- ART 305 – Art History I 3 cr.
- ART 306 – Art History II 3 cr.
- ART 307 – Printmaking I 3 cr. or
- ART 403 – Special Problems in Art 3 cr.
- ART 308 – Printmaking II 3 cr. or
- ART 404 – Special Problems in Art 3 cr.
- ART 309 – Ceramics I 3 cr.
- ART 310 – Ceramics II 3 cr.
- ART 311 – Painting I 3 cr.
- ART 312 – Painting II 3 cr.
- ART 406 – Senior Seminar 3 cr.
- ART 414 – Sculpture I 3 cr.
- ART 415 – Sculpture II 3 cr.
Additional Coursework
Includes minor in another discipline.
- PHI 200 – Perspectives in Philosophy 3 cr.
- PHI 202 – Logic 3 cr.
- SPT 204 – Public Speaking 3 cr.
- Minor or General Electives: 18 cr.
Visual Arts Curriculum
First Year
First Semester
- ART 101 – Design & Color 3 cr.
- AWS 100 – Survey of the African World 3 cr. or
- REL 208 – The Black Church in the U.S. 3 cr.
- BIO 101 – Biological Sciences I 3 cr. or
- PHY 101 – Physical Sciences I 3 cr.
- BIO 101L – Biology Sciences I Laboratory 1 cr. or
- PHY 101L – Physical Sciences I Laboratory 1 cr.
- ENG 111 – Expository Writing 3 cr.
- FFR 121 – Elementary French I 3 cr. or
- FSP 121 – Elementary Spanish I 3 cr.
- FYS 101 – First Year Seminar I 1 cr. / Service Learning *
- UCO 101 – University Convocation I 0 cr.
Total: 17
Second Semester
- ART 102 – Color Theory 3 cr.
- ENG 112 – Argument and Research 3 cr.
- FFR 122 – Elementary French II 3 cr. or
- FSP 122 – Elementary Spanish II 3 cr.
- FYS 102 – First Year Seminar II 1 cr. / Service Learning *
- MAT 121 – College Algebra 3 cr.
- UCO 102 – University Convocation II 0 cr.
- Social Sciences Elective 3 cr.
Total: 16
Second Year
First Semester
- ART 210 – Introduction to Basic Photography 3 cr.
- ART 216 – Introduction to Drawing 3 cr.
- ECO 203 – Principles of Macroeconomics 3 cr.
- ENG 201 – Readings in World Literature I 3 cr. or
- ENG 202 – Readings in World Literature II 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Physical Education Activity Elective 2 cr.
Total: 17
Second Semester
- ART 103 – 3-Dimensional Design 3 cr.
- ART 211 – Photography II 3 cr.
- ART 217 – Figure Drawing 3 cr.
- ART 202 – Introduction to the Visual Arts 3 cr.
- ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination 0 cr. ***
- Social Sciences Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Third Year
First Semester
- ART 305 – Art History I 3 cr.
- ART 307 – Printmaking I 3 cr.
- ART 309 – Ceramics I 3 cr.
- ART 311 – Painting I 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Second Semester
- ART 306 – Art History II 3 cr.
- ART 308 – Printmaking II 3 cr.
- ART 310 – Ceramics II 3 cr.
- ART 312 – Painting II 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Fourth Year
First Semester
- ART 406 – Senior Seminar 3 cr. (Senior Comprehensive)
- ART 414 – Sculpture I 3 cr.
- PHI 200 – Perspectives in Philosophy 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 15
Second Semester
- ART 415 – Sculpture II 3 cr.
- PHI 202 – Logic 3 cr.
- SPT 204 – Public Speaking 3 cr.
- Minor or General Elective 3 cr.
Total: 12
Total Required Hours: 122
* Service Learning: Students will earn a total of 30 service learning hours after successful completion of FYS 101 & FYS 102.
** Community Service: Students must contact the Office of Student Affairs for pre-approved community service project to earn a total of 90 hours of community service by the end of their junior year.
*** Writing Proficiency Examination: Students must complete ENG 111 and ENG 112 with a minimum grade of ‘C’ to register for ENG 199 – Writing Proficiency Examination. Students who fail to take or do not pass ENG 199 must take ENG 200 – Review of Writing Strategies (3 credit hours).
John H. Barnes Jr., M.F.A.
jbarnes@dillard.edu
Associate Professor of Art
M.F.A. in Visual Arts, Memphis College of Art
Location: Cook 101
Office: 504.816.4448