Outreach
We believe in the transformative power of art. The School of Art has developed an exciting array of outreach activities to fulfill and expand its mission. This includes interactions with visiting artists and scholars, internship programs, service learning opportunities, exhibition of student and faculty work, social events, and many other endeavors that involve the greater Tucson community. Below are just a few of the opportunities available to students.
WILDCAT ART
Saturday morning instruction sessions provide art education for gifted youngsters and experience for our art education teachers in training. Students teach K-12 students, serving to augment the current classrooms of local schools. At the end of the program, students’ work is exhibited professionally in a closing reception for students and their families. The program is funded by fees from participating students and the division of Art and Visual Culture Education.
Contact: Professor Ryan Shin
(520) 621-1253
shin@email.arizona.edu
For more information visit Wildcat Art’s website.
CLIENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
Clients in the Community is a senior level course where students create design and illustration work for non-profit organizations, programs, and small businesses within the university and regional community. The benefits are two-fold giving the students the opportunity to work with clients and see their work make a difference in their community and offers the client quality design and visual solutions at low or no cost. Community partners should be not-for-profit organizations that enhance the community. The business can make a donation to The University of Arizona Foundation Graphic Design Workshop fund. These funds are used to pay for lecture fees and exhibitions, benefiting all of the Illustration + Design students. If you like working with enthusiastic young professionals contact the I+D program chair to discuss becoming a community client.
Contact: Professor Kelly Leslie
(520) 621-1407
kleslie@email.arizona.edu
ART EDUCATION INTERNSHIPS
In order to provide service to community institutions and real-world experience for our pre-service art teachers and museum educators, the School of Art arranges internships with arts education businesses and institutions within the community.
Contact: Professor Ryan Shin
(520) 621-1253
shin@email.arizona.edu
ART EDUCATORS IN SCHOOLS
Local schools and experienced art teachers work together with the School of Art to enrich the classroom setting and ready the next generation of art educators. As part of the program, students arrange sample lessons and participate in classroom observation in order to gain real-world experience in the classroom.
Contact: Professor Ryan Shin
(520) 621-1253
shin@email.arizona.edu
ART, DESIGN AND ENVIRONMENT
For over 20 years through her studio/seminar Critical Issues in Design, Professor Ellen McMahon has put her students’ creative problem solving and visual communication skills to work by initiating pro bono design projects for organizations doing important work around the world. Working with groups such as Humane Borders, Oasis Center for Sexual Assault, Arizona Animal Rescue, Literacy Volunteers, and the Hopi Nation, students grow to understand their influence and responsibilities as artists and visual communicators. More recently, the class was re-named Art, Design and Environment to attract students from across disciplines to undertake a number of multi-year art/environment collaborations including:
- A tile mural with the Intercultural Center for the Study of Deserts and Oceans (CEDO) in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico
- Joining CEDO social justice and environmental conservation initiatives
- An educational pavilion at Tucson Village Farm, featuring large panels about the ecological role and value of Honey Bees
Contact: Professor Ellen McMahon
(520) 621-1493
emcmahon@email.arizona.edu
CENTER FOR CREATIVE PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS
Tours to the CCP provide children with an introduction to the art of photography and the spark to build a life-long appreciation of photography and the arts. As an ongoing collaboration between the Center for Creative Photography and the Art and Visual Culture Education program, pre-service art teachers and museum educators serve as docents for local school groups and guide them through selected photographic exhibitions.
Contact: Professor Ryan Shin
(520) 621-1253
shin@email.arizona.edu
LETTERPRESS AND BOOK ART LAB
(520) 621-7003
ART DAYS
Every year we offer high school students an opportunity to spend a day at the School of Art. Learn more about our programs and gain insight into what it would mean to join our community of artists, educators and scholars. Meet one-on-one with faculty to view your work and provided feedback. Students who participate in Art Days and whose work qualifies will gain automatic admission to our BFA Studio Art program, thereby bypassing the online portfolio submission process.
(520) 621-7570
