Art Foundations

Foundations at JMU

Foundations is the core of the school, covering Two-Dimensional Design, Three-Dimensional Design, Drawing I, and Drawing II. The strength and consistency of the Foundations curriculum provides the basic structure and preparation for all upper-level courses.

The Foundations program introduces students to visual problem-solving techniques, develops their individual strengths, and prepares students for their major area of study. Additionally, historical and contemporary art and design practitioners and related theory are essential to the Foundations curriculum.

Foundations provides a structure of strategic skill and concept development, including:

Compositional, structural, and materials knowledge
Cultivating a strong studio work ethic
Sustainable practices
Traditional and digital media
Vocabulary that is conceptually, aesthetically, and culturally aware.

Students in Foundations concentrate on the process as well as the product. The Foundations area fosters an environment of experimentation and discovery, where everyone can succeed.

"It's always within your grasp to make something new."

- Firelei Baez

"My best voice is as an artist."

-Joyce Scott

"I trust my work. It's a collaboration with the material, and when it's viewed, it's a collaboration with the world."

-Kiki Smith

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Undergraduate Course Catalog

Hardware and Software Requirements

SADAH's programs require all students to have a laptop computer equipped with and capable of running any necessary software. SADAH considers a laptop an essential tool for total participation in classes and content. Read more about SADAH's hardware and software requirements.

Suggested Specifications

Operating System (OS)
MacOS

Storage (GB)
512GB

Screen Size (IN)
13”

Random Access Memory (RAM)
32GB

Graphics Memory (VRAM)
6GB

Processor (CPU)
M3 pro or Intel 13th Gen i7 / i9