Division of Creative Arts

Creative Arts Majors

     With the advent of multimedia, today's graphic designers are often the first and last stops in communications systems. Because they frequently create content as well as the framework for its presentation, designers need a grounding in the liberal arts more than ever before. The major in graphic design balances theoretical courses in the arts and related interdisciplinary fields with practical skill instruction. Classes are kept small to ensure ample access to our faculty and the full resources of our multimedia lab, equipped with state-of-the-art tools that include Power Macs, scanners, color printers, and software for page layout, web design, animation, and image manipulation.
     Graphic design graduates find jobs in advertising agencies, design studios, service bureaus, web development firms, and in-house design departments in corporations and organizations. This major also prepares students for graduate work in design.
 

     The performing arts major at Bradford enables students to acquire the knowledge, initiative, and confidence to address problems in a creative and significant way. Working closely with their advisors, students design individualized courses of study that lead to creative, academic, and personal growth. The design of the major ensures that students gain a depth of experience in a program of theater, dance, or music (or any combination of the three). Courses involving the arts and related interdisciplinary fields-such as history and philosophy-provide a broad range of areas where students can prepare for a lifetime of learning.
    A major in performing arts provides a springboard to careers in the arts and beyond, including acting, directing, and technical theater; music; dance; arts administration; and arts education. Our students also pursue graduate work in their arts fields or in related areas.

•   Dance
  The dance program, offered within Bradford's performing arts major, gives students thorough knowledge and skill in dance as well as a broad background in the arts. Students choose courses in ballet, modern, and jazz techniques; dance composition and instruction; dance history; and anatomy and kinesiology for dancers. Specialized classes in topics such as Martha Graham technique or African dance are offered on an occasional basis. Auditions for the Bradford Dance Company, which performs frequently on and off campus, are held each semester. The company features choreography by students and faculty as well as by guest artists. Students are encouraged to participate in dance-related internships and study abroad programs.
• Theater
   The theater program includes courses in acting, directing, design, drama, and play writing. A busy and exciting production schedule provides many opportunities for students to test theory on stage. Frequent workshops and seminars by established guest artists provide additional chances for students to gain practical experience. Through completion of a required senior project, students design, plan, and implement their own independent theatrical event. Members of the program's experienced faculty- all of whom are active working professionals-help students find off-campus practicums and internships with local and Boston-area theaters.
• Music
   Performing arts students who choose the music program balance participation in performance groups and productions with courses in music theory, composition, Western and world music, theater, dance, and art. Specialties in musical theater, choral music, and electronic music are offered. This rich mix produces musicians who are disciplined in their craft without sacrificing a broad background. Our music program is both large enough to provide a wide variety of learning and performing experiences and small enough to ensure ample opportunities for students to participate during all four years.
  

Visual Arts

         Students in our visual arts major learn to tackle and solve problems with creativity and confidence, grounded in knowledge of art forms and their history. Working closely with their advisors, students design individualized courses of study that lead to creative, academic, and personal growth. Students are introduced to art concepts and techniques in a supportive learning environment with individual attention from faculty. They gain a depth of experience from choosing to concentrate in a specific studio- painting/sculpture, ceramics, photography, printmaking-or combination of studios. Beyond the studio, students take courses that deliver a breadth of knowledge involving the arts and related interdisciplinary fields such as literature, history, and philosophy. This major balances theory and application, fundamental skills and creative exploration, and job training and life-long research.          Our visual arts students pursue many career paths-as practicing artists, as arts administrators, as teachers. They often complete their educations with graduate study in art history, studio art, graphic design, arts administration, art education, or art therapy.
  

Self-designed major

Teacher Education Program

         Bradford's Teacher Education Program enables students to become certified to teach in elementary schools (grades 1 through 6) while pursuing any major within the Division of Creative Arts. Classroom experience is part of every required course in the Teacher Education Program, leading to a semester-long student teaching practicum during the senior year.
  

The Bradford Curriculum

         Bradford's small size of about 600 students means that an average class has 12 students, each of whom gets individual attention. Our faculty members are active and involved, and they view advising as an important part of their teaching. They also have the necessary expertise-nine out of ten Bradford faculty members hold doctorates or the highest degrees offered in their fields.
         At Bradford, all majors combine depth in individual academic disciplines with interdisciplinary study, and they all offer opportunities for hands-on learning through internships, study abroad or study away, and service learning. We encourage eligible students to participate in honors-level work in special seminars.
         As a Bradford student, you declare your major by the end of your sophomore year. The Bradford curriculum during your first two years is designed to help you decide on the major that's right for you. You have the opportunity to sample different disciplines and approaches through a general education framework of core courses, amplified by electives. You also work closely with your advisor to develop a portfolio demonstrating your progress toward academic and personal goals. Your advisor and other faculty members supply an extra measure of support and guidance during this time.
         Once you have chosen your major, you concentrate on honing your skills, culminating in your senior seminar and senior project. Participating in these intense academic experiences helps you gain the confidence and polish your need for job interviews or graduate school applications