Among the new offerings for students at Kellogg Community College this fall will be two new Associate in Fine Arts degrees designed specifically for transfer and professional development in the arts.
KCC’s new Associate in Fine Arts in Music and Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts degrees will consist of 60 credits each, including up to 30 specialized credits in the arts in addition to the 30 general education transfer credits that complete the Michigan Transfer Agreement.
In addition to completing MTA requirements, students who complete the AFA degrees will also complete the service-learning hours required for all students pursuing a degree at KCC as part of their AFA program curriculum.
The new AFA degrees are designed specifically for students interested in transferring into Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts programs or equivalents at four-year colleges and universities, as well as for portfolio development.
KCC Chair of Arts and Communication Barbara Sudeikis said the College is “very excited about offering these degrees and the opportunities they will provide for students.”
“The establishment of these new Associate in Fine Arts degrees enhances the stature of the institution and will provide KCC arts students with a more robust educational foundation, expanded professional opportunities and personal growth in the arts,” Sudeikis said. “With guidance from professional arts faculty, these new degrees will support student success as they explore their artistic talents and prepare for a wide range of future possibilities in their chosen fields.”
KCC’s new Associate in Fine Arts in Music degree program will offer individual curriculum specializations including ensemble performance, instrumental music, music theory, piano and vocal performance. The new curriculum provides a comprehensive foundation of music study including essential performance, studio and foundational courses.
KCC Director of Vocal Arts and Music Program Area Coordinator Dr. Gerald Case-Blanchard said AFA Music students “will develop new skills and enhance their current skills while being guided by knowledgeable, caring and supportive music faculty.”
The program’s varied course options range from basic music theory and aural comprehension, music history and music appreciation to performance ensembles (choral and instrumental), as well as individualized music lessons, independent study and international performance opportunities.
“In addition to the numerous opportunities for academic and technical studies in a variety of fields, we also offer opportunities for students desiring to enhance their current levels of musicianship through personal enrichment and self-exploration courses,” Case-Blanchard said. “For those interested in advancing their musical goals, we provide them with a host of courses that support their desired outcome.”
KCC’s Associate in Fine Arts in Visual Arts degree program will offer individual curriculum specializations including 3D art, animation, ceramics, digital art, drawing and illustration, traditional fine arts, graphic design, photography and videography. Students can focus on one area or multiple mediums, depending on their goals.
KCC Art Professor Heather Stratton said the Visual Arts degree program is geared toward foundational knowledge and application, including capstone and portfolio opportunities that will set graduates apart from their counterparts and support their ability to compete in highly sought after BFA programs.
AFA Visual Arts students will be able to select from more than 20 visual arts courses, which will allow individual customization in preparation for transfer, she said.
“The program allows students to explore a wide range of disciplines and materials, from traditional to new media,” Stratton said. “Whether students choose to diversify their skills across multiple areas or concentrate more deeply on specific disciplines, the curriculum is designed to support artistic growth and understanding while preparing students for success in the field of art and design or transfer.”
The new Associate of Fine Arts in Music and Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts degrees join a growing list of professional arts credentials at KCC that also includes Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design and Associate of Applied Science in Photography and Multimedia degrees, as well as Graphic Design and Photography and Multimedia certificates. The College also offers a general Associate in Arts transfer degree, with opportunities to specialize in various arts disciplines.
KCC students also have ample opportunities for portfolio development and arts experiences outside the classroom, including instrumental, band, choral, ensemble and theatre performance opportunities; opportunities to publish in The Bruin News student newspaper and Mosaic student art and literary journal; opportunities to exhibit art via the monthly KCC Postcard Project and Annual Student Art Exhibition; opportunities for professional arts internships; and more. Students can also join any of several arts-related registered student organizations on campus.
For more information about the new AFA degrees or arts programming at KCC in general, visit KCC’s Associate in Fine Arts Degrees web page a kellogg.edu/afa.
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