Department of Art : Visual Art Teaching

Dr. Shari S. Stoddard Telephone: 509-963-3141 Email: stoddars@cwu.edu

Why Should You Study Visual Art At CWU?

The Visual Art Teaching program at CWU is guided by the National Art Education Association standards for art teacher preparation. In compliance with the State Board of Education for endorsement in Visual Arts Teaching K-12, the Visual Art Teaching program embraces a disciplined-based art education approach that stresses the history, aesthetics, criticism, and production of art. In addition to these four components, visual culture, creativity, and technology are also included in the visual art preparation curriculum. Students in the program join the student chapter of the National Art Education Association (NAEA) and attend the NAEA conference yearly.

The Visual Arts Teaching program is for anyone with a commitment to art who is seeking the comprehensive preparation and portfolio required for endorsement in Visual Arts Teaching K-12.

Program Philosophy

The philosophy governing the Visual Art Teaching program at Central Washington University embraces disciplined-based art education, a comprehensive approach to teaching art. Disciplined-based art education stresses the history, aesthetics, criticism, and production of art. In addition to these four components, visual culture, creativity, and technology are also included in the visual art teacher preparation curriculum. The program provides students with strong backgrounds of study in art education, art history, and studio art courses.

The Visual Art Teaching program at Central is guided by the National Art Education Association standards for art teacher preparation, and the program is in compliance with the State Board of Education for endorsement in Visual Arts Teaching

While at Central, students have an opportunity to join a student chapter of the National Art Education Association. The chapter meets every other week to discuss art activities going on at the university and in the community. Students make plans to attend local, regional and national art events. They raise money to attend these functions, especially the National Art Education Conference. Besides learning how to become a viable member of the greater art education community, students also have an opportunity to become part of a smaller family of future art teachers who stay in touch with one another and support one another long after they have graduated from Central.

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