Growing programs shape future of Fine Arts

With the school year drawing to an end, the Fine Arts Department abounds with activity and change.

Looking ahead to next year, several faculty within the department anticipate the impact of next year's large freshman class and prepare for Claire Garoutte and Naomi Kasumi—key members of the faculty—to be on sabbatical.

Fine arts is one of Seattle U's fastest growing departments. The addition of new majors throughout recent years—including the bachelor of music in string performance, the bachelor of fine arts in photography and master of fine arts in arts leadership—helped raise awareness about the department and continues to attract new students to fine arts programs.

The sizeable incoming freshman class, several professors predict, will likely further increase demand on the department.

"I think we're [the theater department] ready for it," said Rosa Joshi, professor of theater and associate chair for the performing arts. "But all freshman do need to take a fine arts course."

Other popular fine arts majors, like digital design, might begin more extensive
admissions processes.

"Any art class, we only accept 20 students," said Naomi Kasumi, professor of digital design. "We have to do quality control, but not in a bad way."

If admissions to the digital design major had certain requirements, Kasumi said, then its faculty could separate the serious students from those whose interest was only passing. There are currently no concrete plans about how to adjust the program's admissions process.

Similarly, an increase in declared photography majors has led the department to begin discussions about requiring portfolio submissions from potential students. There are currently 37 students in the BFA in photography program and 17 students in the bachelor of arts in fine arts with an emphasis in photography.

Still, Garoutte remains pleased that so many students are interested in photography.
"It's a wonderful problem to have," she said.

Quinton Morris, professor of music, said that although the strings program is very new, it also continues to grow each year.

"Our program has grown immensely [since it started]," Morris said.

Seattle U's MFA in arts leadership program experienced rapid growth this year, too, seeing double the amount of applicants as last year, according to program director Kevin Maifeld. Since its inception, the MFA in arts leadership program has grown from 12 graduates per class to 20 students per class.

The class of 2010 will be only the second graduating class in arts leadership. Maifeld added that many arts leadership students seem inclined toward arts entrepreneurship.

"I'm noticing more and more of our students are looking to start their own organization," he said.

Fine arts will undergo more changes when both Garoutte and Kasumi go on sabbatical.
Garoutte will only be on sabbatical for winter quarter, and an professor, Rebecca Rocha, will fill her position.

Kasumi will be on sabbatical for the entirety of the 2010-2011 school year.

"Everything is fine, I'm not dead," she said, saying she's been telling concerned students this to allay their fears.

It is possible, however, that certain courses relating to Kasumi's specialties will not be offered next year. Professor Dan Shafer will fill her position for the digital design program.

George Shangrow will join the music faculty next year, teaching music history courses.

Sam may be reached at skettering@su-spectator.com