Media Arts
Media arts is a cross-disciplinary program that reflects the rise of new imaging technologies in studio practice, the expansion of artistic creativity within the digital domain, and the cultural impact of such media. The major is designed to meet the needs of art students interested in the use of digital technology as a sophisticated art making tool within a broad, cross-disciplinary context.
Central to the program is the interdepartmental cooperation and collaboration within the Hartford Art School between new media and traditional art disciplines. Students are also encouraged to participate in inter-collegiate collaborations especially with the Hartt School, and the computer science, engineering and cinema studies departments.
The program combines offerings in studio practice and critical studies of media within the visual arts in the media arts, visual communication design, photography, and sculpture departments including installation, performance art, and web projects. This approach provides students with a critical and historical knowledge of the field and technical proficiency in a number of disciplines. It encourages them to define new artistic directions for themselves and the field in general.
Media arts facilities are located in the Renée Samuels Center and include a full video production studio, nonlinear editing computer lab, and two project presentation spaces: MEDIABOX 1 and 2. Video formats used are miniDV and HD.
The department also shares two computer labs with the visual communication design, illustration, and photography departments. Since the program encourages interdisciplinary exploration, students also have access to the various studio facilities in the Hartford Art School, as well as those offered by participating in coursework in cinema studies and the School of Communication in the College of Arts and Sciences.