Eastern Mennonite University (Visual and Communication Arts Department)

The Visual and Communication Arts Department (VACA) offers majors in studio art, art education, communication, digital media and photography. These majors provide preparation for students to pursue professional jobs in a variety of careers and to pursue graduate work in a variety of programs.

VACA is part of Eastern Mennonite University, a different kind of Christian college where faculty and students purposefully engage social justice, peacebuilding, cross-cultural empathy, and environmental care as they seek to live out the call of Jesus. VACA professors push students to go beyond the aesthetic to consider the social and the global aspects of their work so that they can become transformers of cultural and community landscapes.

In order to serve in this way, image-makers need more than technical competency. They need to possess a conceptual and aesthetic framework that will allow them to communicate effectively, passionately and ethically. While intellectually rigorous, the VACA faculty seeks to nurture a profound appreciation for the spiritual, emotive and poetic aspects of human existence. The visual arts at EMU help students encounter a much bigger world that cannot always be described in logical terms. This requires that students explore the ethical and cultural problems inherit in mass communication and the artistic endeavor and the increasingly international thrust of communication.

Our majors prepare students to move comfortably from the studio, to the gallery, to the field and to the screen in their creative activities.

* The art major and art education endorsement provide preparation for students who will pursue professional art-related careers, independent art work and graduate work in art. The art major offers a variety of studio arts options after students finish a core curriculum.

* The communication major offers students a broad group of core courses along with the foundational courses in a variety of electronic media, writing and theory courses.

* The digital media major focuses on the intersection of the internet, digital video, audio and photography within an increasing array of delivery systems.

* The photography major builds a solid framework in digital photography practice and theory (while also including an introduction to traditional dark room techniques).


Art

* The art major provides a solid foundation for students who will pursue professional art-related careers, independent studio work and graduate work in art. Studio art and art history courses develop visual, technical skills and critical thinking abilities used in making art.
* Additional art opportunities are also available through participation in the Washington Community Scholars Program (WCSC) program. These include internships in arts organizations and study at the Corcoran Gallery of Art, Catholic University and Howard University.
* The art major culminates with the senior show, an exhibition of each art major's best studio work from the junior and senior years. The senior show provides an opportunity to publicly showcase and celebrate each art major's creative achievements.


Communication

The communication major offers students a broad group of core courses along with the foundational courses in a variety of electronic media, writing and theory courses.


Digital Media Major at Eastern Mennonite University

The digital media major focuses on the intersection of the internet, digital video, audio and photography within an increasing array of delivery systems.

Eastern Mennonite University offers one of the few digital media majors at a Christian college. Our unique program emphasizes proficiency in the interrelated digital media forms of video production, digital photography, graphic design and web design. Students learn electronic field production in documentary and narrative video classes. They practice the disciplines of video editing, lighting, audio production through assignments and real-world projects.

The EMU digital media major unfolds in the context of our Christian liberal arts community, a multicultural, peace-oriented environment that values effective cross-cultural communication and passionate engagement with the world. Students work on personal projects, study visual theory, and engage the community through documentary work. EMU prepares students for a range of digital media jobs from video production to web design (as well as preparation for further graduate training).

Internship opportunities abound in the EMU/Harrisonburg area and many students have done interns while studying at the Washington D.C. Community Scholars' Center. Many of our students learn live event production skills by assisting with the video needs of the national Mennonite Youth Convention. Students also have cross-cultural photography opportunities such as Professor Jerry Holsopple's Lithuania trip.

Students have access to our collection of professional SD and HD video cameras, lighting and support equipment for video production. Students also have free access to our Canon digital SLRs and lenses. Our digital media lab features the Adobe Creative Suite and 20 inch (Intel based) iMacs for digital photo editing. The Advanced Production Lab, home to our non-linear video editing and 2-D animation classes, features Final Cut Pro, Adobe Photoshop and After Effects.


Photography Major at Eastern Mennonite University

Eastern Mennonite University offers one of the only photography majors at a Christian college. Our unique program emphasizes proficiency in the digital arena (with an introduction to traditional darkroom techniques). Students learn studio/field practices, study visual theory, and engage the community through documentary work. The EMU photo major unfolds in the context of our Christian liberal arts community, a multicultural, peace-oriented environment that values effective cross-cultural communication and passionate engagement with the world. We prepare students for a range of photographic possibilities from studio/freelance positions to further graduate training.

Internship opportunities abound in the EMU/Harrisonburg area. Several of our visual and communication arts students have gained important work experience as photo interns for Fairfield Language Technologies, makers of Rosetta Stone, the world's leading language learning software. Students also have cross-cultural photo opportunities such as Professor Jerry Holsopple's Lithuania trip.

Students have access to our collection of Canon digital SLRs and lenses at no charge. Film cameras are also available for a modest rental fee. Our digital media lab features the Adobe CS3 Creative Suite and 20 inch (Intel based) iMacs for digital photo editing.

---

Visual and Communication Arts Department Art School Location

Other art schools in Harrisonburg

James Madison University (The School of Art And Art History) THE SCHOOL OF ART AND ART HISTORY James Madison University was originally established as the Normal and Industrial School for Women at Harrisonbur... Address: 800 S Main St

Back to: » Art schools in Virginia » Art schools in Harrisonburg

More information: » Marinas » Boats for sale