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Art Teacher Education

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Overview

The overall goal of the Art Teacher Education sequence in the Wonsook Kim School of Art is to prepare the next generation of art educators who promote a high level of competence and integrity in the practice of their profession. The Art Teacher Education sequence prepares students to teach art in the elementary, middle, and secondary schools.

Participants are involved in both academic and practical experiences throughout the sequence of coursework. These experiences are selected to prepare future art teachers to relate to the diverse needs and interests of children and adolescents. Contemporary philosophic issues such as visual culture, post-structuralism, and postmodernism are addressed. Also stressed are creative and critical thinking, studio techniques, technology, understanding the learner, and developing skills to become an effective teacher.

Students completing the Art Teacher Education sequence are eligible to apply for special K-12 teaching certification in art in the state of Illinois.

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Point of Pride

Illinois State’s Art Teacher Education program touts a job placement rate close to 100%.

Why study Art Teacher Education?

After graduation, Wonsook Kim School of Art students take on a variety of careers as artists, curators, designers, educators, critics, scholars, conservators and writers. Our alumni continue to be a part of the Wonsook Kim School of Art after they leave campus, and we continue to harness professional relationships and networking connections between them and our current students.

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How to Apply

Applying to Illinois State

New freshmen will initially apply to the Art major. Students interested in this sequence will submit a five-piece admissions portfolio through their My.IllinoisState.edu portal upon the University accepting the admissions application. After being admitted to the Wonsook Kim School of Art, students interested in the Art Education sequence will then be asked for more specific information to gain admission to the sequence.

Admissions Digital Portfolio Requirements for all BA/BS Sequences

Wonsook Kim School of Art reviews digital application portfolios submitted by the first of every month. Applicants are encouraged to submit their portfolio as soon as possible for best consideration for both admission to the Art major and for departmental scholarships. Applicants may expect their portfolio review results by email during the third week of the month during which the portfolio is reviewed.

You are encouraged to consult with your current art educators with assistance in selecting the work that best exhibits your strengths, talents, and understanding of art principles for your portfolio. No artist statement is required.

Digital Portfolio Requirements and Information

  1. Images of (at least) five pieces of your art:
    • Artwork may be any combination of mediums.
    • Artwork is not required to be related to the major to which you are applying.
    • Please do not submit your portfolio as a website link or PowerPoint. Individual files, Word Documents, or PDFs are preferred.
    • Refer to our recommendations on how to photograph your artwork digitally.

  2. An indexed list of your artwork:
    • This includes the title, medium, approximate dimensions, and year of creation for each piece of art submitted.
    • As you upload your artwork to the portfolio portal, you may either list these specifications in the description textbox available for each image or upload them as a list within a text file (Word Document or PDF).
  3. How to submit your digital portfolio:
    • Digital portfolios may be uploaded through your ISU application.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns please email Art@IllinoisState.edu or call (309)-438-5622. We look forward to sharing the endless experiences and opportunities of our campus art community with you, #FutureArtRedbird!

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  • Wonsook Kim School of Art
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  • Center for Visual Arts 119
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