# Fine Art: Museum Studies (Associate of Arts Degree)

San Diego Mesa College · 2026-2027 Catalog · Department: Art-Fine Art

Source: https://sdccd.curriqunet.com/catalog/iq/17540/18643/18644/17541/17611

### Summary

The Fine Art: Museum Studies Associate of Arts Degree focuses on theoretical and hands-on instruction in curatorial practice. Students participate in the workings of the college gallery through the development of supplemental materials and the creation and installation of exhibits. Completion of an internship at a local museum or art venue teaches students to apply their skills within a professional arts setting. Students may obtain an Associate of Arts degree, complete preparation for the major in fine art and/or transfer to a fouryear institution. Careers related to this field include art practice, gallery management and curatorial practice.

**Award Note:**
The Associate Degree requires a minimum of 60 degree applicable semester units.

**Learning Outcome(s): Students who complete the Fine Art: Museum Studies Program will be able to:**

1.  Expand the vision of the role of art in the greater culture.
2.  Develop an awareness of cultural diversity (and its use/effect on art-making).
3.  Engage visual art as defined in a progression of change.
4.  Apply critical thinking in visual terms.
5.  Employ art concepts and terminology effectively.
6.  Understand the creative process of art-making.
7.  Understand materials, methods and techniques both historical and contemporary and the contexts in which they are employed.
8.  Be assessed through a combination of performance evaluations, written assignments, and written tests and quizzes.

### Requirements

| Course | Title | Units |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **COURSES REQUIRED FOR THE MAJOR:** | | 18 |
| ARTF 107 | Contemporary Art | 3 |
| ARTF 109 | Modern Art | 3 |
| or ARTH C1100 | Survey of Art from Prehistory to the Medieval Era | 3 |
| or ARTH C1200 | Survey of Art from the Renaissance to Contemporary | 3 |
| ARTF 150A | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ARTF 151 | Three-Dimensional Design | 3 |
| ARTF 155A | Freehand Drawing I | 3 |
| ARTF 233 | Introduction to Digital Photographic Imaging | 3 |
| **Complete the requirements for the Museum Studies emphasis:** | | 13 |
| ARTF 161A | Museum Studies/Gallery Exhibition Skills I | 3 |
| ARTF 161B | Museum Studies/Gallery Exhibition Skills II | 3 |
| ARTF 163 | Art Museum/Gallery Internship | 4 |
| CHIC 230 | Chicano Art | 3 |
| or ARTF 115 | African Art | 3 |
| **Select three units (one course) from the following:** | | 3 |
| ARTF 113 | Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas | 3 |
| ARTF 115 | African Art | 3 |
| ARTF 120 | Native American Art | 3 |
| ARTF 125 | Art History: Arts of the Asian Continent | 3 |
| BLAS 110 | African American Art | 3 |
| CHIC 230 | Chicano Art | 3 |
| ARTF 130 | Pre-Columbian Art | 3 |
| ARTF 152 | Color Theory | 3 |
| ARTF 191 | Cultural Influences on Photography | 3 |
| ARTF 194 | Critical Photography | 3 |
| ARTF 198A | Introduction to Printmaking I | 3 |
| ARTF 231 | Introduction to Digital Art | 3 |