Effective this semester (Winter 2013) there has been a split in the Fine Arts department. It is now divided into two separate departments: Visual Arts, and Music and Theater.
With this change came a new chair for the Visual Arts department, Brandon Truscott. Truscott remarked that the “main reason for the split was the demand for a Visual Arts major. Results are yet to be determined, but the specific certificates that are now offered within the major provide a more focused perspective.”
The five new certificates offered in the Visual Arts department are Graphic Design, Painting, Photo/Video, Sculpture, and Ceramics. New professors and classes have been added with the department including Jay Merryweather and Jeff Merrill. Some of the new classes offered are Branding, Typography and Digital Painting. In addition to this new curriculum, graphic design majors are now required to have an internship in visual art before they graduate and receive their degree.
“Both BYU and BYU–Idaho have Visual Arts departments and we know this is a growing field around the world, especially in our target area,” said Truscott.
The changes have had a very positive effect on current students. “It helps students to be more specific in what they are studying,” said Sirichai Khamrod, a senior from Thailand, “The students are now able to receive more help from their professors in a way that focuses more on their professional goals.”
“Fine arts may encompass both art and music, but they are very different in many respects,” said Cassie Fryhoff, a senior from Washington. “It helps to have two separate chairs and two separate departments. It will keep things organized and more geared toward everyone’s common goal: graduation and a future career.”
Photo by Kilee Fairbanks